Navy ship the USS Hull (DD-945) contained asbestos throughout and put servicemen and women at risk for exposure. Some later received a diagnosis of mesothelioma or other respiratory illnesses. Commissioned in 1958, the ship belonged to the Forrest Sherman class of U.S. Navy destroyers, made in the post-World War II years.
About the USS Hull and Asbestos
The USS Hull DD 945 was built during a time of peak asbestos use by the Navy. All kinds of ships included asbestos in insulation and other materials.
The USS Hull, designated as DD-945, was a destroyer in the U.S. Navy, commissioned in 1958.[1] She was named for Isaac Hull, a captain who served in the War of 1812. DD-945 was the fourth Navy ship to be named for Hull.[2]
The Hull was 418 feet long and displaced 4,050 tons when at full capacity. She was powered by four Babcock & Wilcox boilers and General Electric steam turbines. Her range was 4,500 nautical miles, and she carried 15 officers and 218 enlisted men when at capacity.
The Hull was one of eighteen destroyers in the Forrest Sherman class. These were the first destroyers to be built by the Navy after World War II.
All received important updates in the 1970s, allowing them to continue in active service into the 1980s. None of the Forest Sherman destroyers are still in commission; the Hull was one of nine sunk in training exercises.
Construction and Upgrades
Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine, built the USS Hull. She was laid down in 1956 and launched in 1957. Her commissioning occurred on July 3, 1958, under Commander Herbert H. Ries.
The Hull received a significant overhaul between 1974 and 1975. Much of the overhaul was to upgrade and modernize the onboard weaponry.
The Hull and other destroyers were given new guns that were designed for their size. The Hull was the first destroyer to receive and test the new weapons. She also underwent upgrades in 1979, and during that time, the test guns were removed.
Active Service and Deployment of the USS Hull
After being commissioned in 1958, the Hull traveled through the Panama Canal to begin active service as part of the Pacific Fleet, following training exercises in San Diego.
During her early years in the 1960s, the Hull participated in various types of training in the Pacific, including antisubmarine exercises, with a detour in 1962 to escort other Navy ships to join the blockade in the Caribbean during the Cuban Missile Crisis.[1]
The Hull then returned to the Pacific and, in 1965, was ordered to patrol duties in Vietnam. In total, she deployed six times to serve in the Vietnam War.[1]
During those deployments, the vessel fired thousands of rounds to support U.S. forces on shore, acted as a plane guard for aircraft carriers, and rescued downed pilots. She also participated in Operation Sea Dragon and multiple naval gunfire support missions.
In the mid-1970s, the Hull received weaponry upgrades and underwent trials to determine whether the new gun would be used in the next class of destroyers. The tests were successful, and the Hull continued to use the new guns during operations and testing.
After going through more upgrades in 1979, the Hull returned to the Pacific. Her final deployment occurred in 1982 and included rescuing Vietnamese refugees at sea and protecting the aircraft carrier Enterprise.
How Was Asbestos Used on the USS Hull?
In the 1950s, asbestos use was normal and heavy in many industries, including building ships of all types, including Navy ships. The USS Hull was no exception, and she was made with asbestos in many of her components and equipment.
Asbestos was prized for its ability to insulate and provide fireproofing. Equipment and machinery that had the heaviest use of asbestos included boilers and turbines, which generated a lot of heat.
Pipes throughout the ship were also insulated heavily with asbestos, as these often carried hot water and steam.
Additionally, fireproofing and firefighting equipment and gear were loaded with asbestos. Other components and parts with asbestos included:
- Gaskets
- Valves
- Adhesives
- Seals
- Packing
- Rope
- Deck matting
- Flooring
USS Hull Veterans Exposed to Asbestos
Any veteran who served on the USS Hull may have been exposed to asbestos. Also at risk were those who built the ship, worked in the shipyard, and made repairs and upgrades to components.
Most at risk in serving on the ship were veterans involved in activities that could have disrupted the asbestos materials:
- Repairing, replacing, maintaining, and removing these materials in any way, such as cutting into pipe insulation to make a fix, was likely to release asbestos fibers and cause inhalation.
- Men and women who served on the Hull working directly with the boilers or turbines were among those most at risk of asbestos exposure because the material was heavily used to insulate and fireproof these machines.
- Anyone else on the ship could have been at risk, too, as working around asbestos, especially in confined areas with little ventilation, can easily lead to fiber release and inhalation.
How Did Asbestos on the USS Hull Harm Veterans?
Documented cases with the Veterans Administration (VA) demonstrate the exposure that veterans on the Hull experienced and that this exposure led to later illnesses.
In one example, a veteran filed a claim after serving in the Navy for twenty years, including on the Hull. The VA determined that his pulmonary fibrosis, a disease that led to his death, was caused by asbestos exposure during service.[3]
Another veteran was determined to have developed chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), partly due to exposure to asbestos on the Hull and other Navy ships.
He worked in engine rooms, machinery rooms, refrigerating, and air conditioning, and participated in firefighting, all activities that increased his risk of being exposed to asbestos.[4]
Compensation and Benefits for Navy Veterans
If you served on the Hull or any other Navy ship and developed a respiratory illness attributed to asbestos exposure, you may have a right to receive compensation through the VA.
There is a claims process, but it can be confusing. A mesothelioma lawyer can help you navigate the process and get the support you need for your illness.
An asbestos attorney can also help you file a lawsuit against companies that supplied asbestos to the Navy. Many of these companies went bankrupt but set up asbestos trust funds to compensate victims.
USS Hull Association
Veterans who served on the Hull (DD-350 and DD-945) can join the USS Hull Association to connect with other veterans. The association is a valuable resource for anyone who was harmed by their time in the service, whether from asbestos, Agent Orange, or other substances or incidents.[4]
If you or someone you love served in the Navy and was diagnosed with mesothelioma, reach out to an experienced asbestos law firm for help.
