The USS Abraham Lincoln (SSBN-602) was a George Washington-class ballistic missile submarine that served the United States Navy from 1961 to 1981. The already dangerous environments of submarines built during that era were made even more hazardous by the asbestos-containing materials they contained. The carcinogenic mineral was integrated into every aspect of the Abraham Lincoln’s construction, exposing the hundreds of mariners who spent time on the vessel during her two decades of service to hazardous fibers. These Navy veterans are at increased risk for developing mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis, and other severe asbestos-related illnesses.
About the USS Abraham Lincoln and the George Washington-class Submarines
George Washington-class submarines like the USS Abraham Lincoln represented the Navy’s first nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines, incorporating cutting-edge technology developed in the late 1950s. Named after President Abraham Lincoln, the vessel was built using components initially assembled for a Skipjack-class nuclear attack submarine, later converted to carry strategic ballistic missiles as Cold War tensions escalated.[1]
The Abraham Lincoln and other George Washington-class submarines measured 381 feet 8 inches in length, with a beam of 33 feet and a draft of 28 feet 9 inches. Her displacement reached 5,900 tons when surfaced and 6,700 tons when submerged. She carried a complement of 136 men – 12 officers and 124 enlisted personnel – operating in two alternating crews (Blue and Gold) within extremely cramped conditions. The submarine was powered by a single S5W pressurized water nuclear reactor and was capable of 16.5 knots on the surface and 22 knots submerged. Her primary armament consisted of 16 Polaris ballistic missiles housed in vertical launch tubes, plus six 533mm torpedo tubes in the bow.[2]
Construction and Service History
Construction of the USS Abraham Lincoln began in November 1958 at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in New Hampshire. She was launched in May 1960, sponsored by Miss Mary Lincoln Beckwith, her namesake President Lincoln’s great-granddaughter, and commissioned in March 1961, under the command of Commander Leonard Erb (Blue Crew) and Commander Donald M. Miller (Gold Crew). She was the only George Washington-class submarine built at Portsmouth and the first Navy vessel to bear Lincoln’s name.[3]
Following commissioning, the Abraham Lincoln departed Portsmouth for shakedown and weapons testing at Cape Canaveral, Florida. After post-shakedown availability, she conducted additional testing at Cape Canaveral and received final loadout at Charleston, South Carolina. In August, she got underway as part of Submarine Squadron 14, Atlantic Fleet, arriving at Holy Loch, Scotland, in October. Following refit alongside USS Proteus (AS-19) and being loaded with sixteen Polaris missiles, she was sent on her first deterrent patrol in November.[1]
For four years, the Abraham Lincoln operated from Holy Loch, alternating deterrent patrols with maintenance periods alongside tender vessels. During the Cuban Missile Crisis in October 1962, she cut short a scheduled upkeep period to deploy on a 65-day patrol. In October 1965, she was sent to the Electric Boat Company’s yard in Groton, Connecticut, for overhaul and refueling, which was completed in June 1967.
Returning to Holy Loch, the submarine resumed her deterrent patrol schedule, continuing this pattern through 1972. She also underwent upgrades from Polaris A-1 missiles to the more advanced Polaris A-3s, with her last A-1 patrol completed in October 1965. In March 1972, she sailed back to the United States, arriving at New London in April before transitioning to the Pacific Fleet.
After offloading missiles at Bangor, Washington, the Abraham Lincoln entered Mare Island Naval Shipyard in California in June 1972 for an extensive overhaul and refueling. This work was completed in December 1973, and following shakedown operations, she transited to her new home port of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, arriving there in September 1974. She then proceeded to her advanced base at Guam in October.
From Guam, the Abraham Lincoln conducted deterrent patrols throughout the western Pacific for the remainder of her service. She was upgraded again, this time to carry Polaris A-3T missiles with enhanced range and accuracy. In 1977, she became the first ballistic missile submarine to complete 50 strategic deterrent patrols, a notable milestone in submarine warfare.
The Abraham Lincoln completed her final patrol in October 1979, arriving at Bangor to begin missile offloading and inactivation procedures. She was decommissioned at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in February 1981 and struck from the Navy list in December 1982.
The Military’s Dependence on Asbestos
Beginning in the early 1900s, the U.S. Navy extensively incorporated asbestos into submarine construction, with usage reaching its zenith during the World War II era and extending through the Cold War period.[4] Military leaders valued asbestos for its outstanding fire-resistant qualities, superior thermal insulation properties, and exceptional resistance to chemical corrosion. These attributes were considered essential for safeguarding warships operating in hostile environments, and because submarines were particularly susceptible to catastrophic incidents, their infrastructures contained vast amounts of it. The mineral’s pliable, fibrous structure made it perfect for integration into countless applications within confined spaces, from pipe wrapping and sealing materials to electrical components and flame-resistant coatings.
The USS Abraham Lincoln was constructed and upgraded during the peak of the Navy’s asbestos use, when Cold War concerns led it to rely heavily upon the mineral. Rather than sporadic use, the military mandated asbestos incorporation throughout its submarines, as well as its destroyers, cruisers, and aircraft carriers. Despite mounting concerns about the health risks associated with asbestos exposure, it persisted well into the 1970s, by which time the scientific community had conclusively demonstrated the connection between asbestos exposure and severe respiratory ailments and malignancies. By 1973, the Navy had begun restricting asbestos use in new construction and major vessel renovations, and by 1975, it substantially eliminated it from all new installations. Unfortunately, existing materials in thousands of vessels were left undisturbed until maintenance required their removal.[5]
Addressing the legacy asbestos already embedded throughout its fleet posed a tremendous challenge for the Navy. The military developed extensive asbestos management protocols, including thorough surveys of existing materials, specialized training for personnel who might encounter asbestos during maintenance work, and stringent procedures for its handling and disposal. Unfortunately, complete asbestos elimination was considered impractical given the enormous scope of the undertaking. Instead, the Navy focused on containment, encapsulation, and careful management of the toxic materials until contaminated vessels could be retired from service.
Asbestos Integration Throughout the USS Abraham Lincoln
The USS Abraham Lincoln contained asbestos-laden materials in nearly every compartment and system throughout the vessel. This widespread presence reflected standard naval construction practices of the period, as military specifications mandated asbestos-containing products wherever thermal resistance, fire suppression, or insulation was required. The mineral was distributed throughout the submarine’s structure.
- Engineering Compartments
The submarine’s engineering spaces, which housed the reactor compartment, engine room, and auxiliary machinery areas, were heavily lined with asbestos insulation to shield equipment and the vessel’s crew from dangerous temperatures. Steam lines, exhaust networks, and propulsion components were covered or coated with asbestos-containing insulation and blankets. Critical valves and fittings incorporated asbestos gaskets and packing materials to prevent leaks and ensure system reliability.
- Crew Quarters and Work Areas, Electrical and Emergency Systems
Throughout the submarine’s living quarters and workspaces, asbestos was present in deck tiles, bulkhead panels, overhead materials, and coating formulations. Electrical networks depended heavily on asbestos-containing wire insulation, power distribution cables, and control panel materials. The submarine’s emergency response equipment, including fire suppression systems and protective gear, incorporated asbestos fibers for protection against extreme temperatures and flames.
- Air Circulation Systems
Air circulation networks and distribution systems were critical onboard submarines. Unfortunately, at the same time that they provided ventilation in the compact space, they also spread asbestos particles that had been disturbed by regular maintenance activities, as well as from the system’s own insulation and filtration materials. Even routine supplies and components, such as sealing rings, valve packing, drainage valves, and joining compounds, contained substantial asbestos content. Its weapons systems also incorporated asbestos materials for heat protection and fire resistance in missile compartments and associated equipment.
Additional asbestos-containing materials included insulation fabric and padding, bonding agents, turbine parts, and reactor insulation. The compact nature of submarine construction meant that asbestos materials were integrated into every available space, creating an unavoidable hazard throughout the vessel.
Personnel at Risk of Asbestos Exposure Aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln
Every sailor who served on the USS Abraham Lincoln and every shipyard worker responsible for upgrades and maintenance faced potential asbestos exposure due to the widespread presence of asbestos-containing materials throughout the submarine. The vessel’s extremely confined spaces and restricted ventilation systems caused microscopic asbestos particles to circulate throughout its compartments whenever they became airborne from maintenance activities, equipment vibration, or normal operations.
Submarine environments present unique hazards because they are completely sealed. The extended periods that crew members spend within these vessels exacerbate the risk, as dilution with fresh air is rare. The atmosphere within the vessel is constantly recycled, substantially increasing every crew member’s risk of developing asbestos-related illnesses.
Even in the face of this ever-present distribution, certain crew members faced even greater exposure risks due to their assignments and duty stations.
- Engineering personnel, including reactor operators, electricians, and missile technicians, worked directly with machinery and systems that were heavily insulated with asbestos materials, and these sailors routinely performed maintenance and repair tasks that involved cutting, grinding, or removing asbestos-containing insulation, gaskets, and other components.
- Electronics technicians, nuclear power specialists, and submarine nuclear plant operators encountered asbestos during equipment servicing and system repairs. Their work frequently involved disturbing asbestos-containing materials in electrical systems, power distribution networks, and control equipment. Those responsible for removing asbestos insulation during maintenance operations faced particularly elevated exposure levels.
- Missile compartment personnel and weapons specialists worked in areas where asbestos materials were integral to equipment operation and safety systems. Their maintenance duties often involved servicing and maintaining pumps, valves, and other components that contained asbestos materials.
Even crew members not directly involved in maintenance or repair work faced exposure risks through contaminated uniforms, the shared air circulation system, and the presence of asbestos materials in general living and working spaces. The submarine’s tight quarters meant that asbestos fibers disturbed in one location could continuously migrate throughout the entire vessel, potentially affecting all personnel aboard.
The Dangers of Asbestos
Asbestos poses severe health risks that can remain dormant for decades before developing into the serious illnesses associated with exposure. The microscopic particles released into the atmosphere can be inhaled or ingested without the individual knowing, and these particles can become permanently lodged in the lungs, pleura, and other organs. Once embedded, they can subsequently trigger inflammatory reactions and cellular damage, ultimately leading to cancer and other life-threatening conditions.
- Mesothelioma is the most severe asbestos-related illness/ This rare and aggressive malignancy is almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure and is universally fatal, with most patients surviving only 12 to 21 months following diagnosis. The disease attacks the thin membrane surrounding the lungs, heart, or abdomen and typically develops 20 to 50 years after initial exposure. Mesothelioma symptoms include chest pain, shortness of breath, persistent cough, and abdominal swelling.
- Asbestos exposure also dramatically increases the risk of lung cancer, particularly for exposed individuals who also smoke tobacco. Asbestos-related lung cancer may not appear for 15 to 35 years after exposure and often presents with symptoms similar to other forms of lung cancer, including persistent cough, chest pain, and difficulty breathing. The combination of asbestos exposure and smoking exponentially increases the risk of developing both lung cancer and pleural mesothelioma.
- Asbestosis is a non-malignant but serious lung condition caused by inhaling asbestos particles. The inflammation triggered by these particles results in lung tissue scarring, leading to progressively worsening breathing difficulties, persistent cough, and significant chest pain. Severe cases can advance to respiratory failure and death.
- Other asbestos-related conditions include pleural plaques, pleural effusions, and diffuse pleural thickening. While these conditions are not typically fatal, they all impact the lung lining and can cause breathing difficulties and chest pain, significantly affecting quality of life. Additionally, these conditions often serve as warning signs for more serious asbestos-related diseases on the horizon.
Options and Legal Actions for USS Abraham Lincoln Veterans
Far too many Navy veterans who served on the USS Abraham Lincoln have been diagnosed with asbestos-related illnesses as a result of the asbestos companies’ failure to warn of its dangers. If you served aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln and have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related condition, you have several options for both compensationand specialized medical treatment. Tens of thousands of successful lawsuits and settlements, and the government’s acknowledgment of asbestos’s presence aboard Navy submarines, have established clear pathways for affected veterans to pursue justice.
Veterans Administration Benefits
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers comprehensive benefits for veterans with service-connected asbestos-related conditions. Veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis can file claims for disability compensation, specialized medical treatment, and additional benefits for their families. The VA recognizes mesothelioma as a service-connected condition for veterans exposed during their military service, which expedites the claims process for those affected. Mesothelioma’s classification as 100% disabling ensures maximum compensation.
Civil Litigation
Beyond VA benefits, veterans are often eligible to pursue legal action against the manufacturers and suppliers of asbestos-containing products used aboard their vessels and in their lives after the service. While veterans cannot sue the Navy or the government directly, they can pursue claims against private companies. Successful litigation can result in substantial settlements or jury awards to compensate for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages. Thousands of cases have been successfully resolved against companies that manufactured insulation, gaskets, valves, pumps, and other asbestos-containing materials found aboard submarines like the USS Abraham Lincoln.
Asbestos Trust Funds
Asbestos trust funds represent another crucial source of financial support for affected veterans. Many companies that manufactured asbestos products were required to establish these funds during bankruptcy proceedings. Created specifically to compensate victims diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases far into the future, these funds have distributed billions of dollars in claims and still hold another $30 billion for future victims. They provide an appealing alternative to lengthy and stressful litigation processes.
Legal Help and Guidance for USS Abraham Lincoln Veterans Diagnosed with Mesothelioma
Veterans diagnosed with asbestos-related conditions should consult with an experienced asbestos attorney. These lawyers specialize in helping those with both occupational and military exposure. They understand the unique challenges of documenting naval service exposure, can identify all potentially responsible parties and available compensation sources, coordinate legal strategies, and assist with filing VA claims. Their goal is to minimize the burden on affected veterans and their families while maximizing the compensation they receive.
Statutes of limitations apply to personal injury claims, including those surrounding asbestos-related diseases, so affected veterans must seek legal guidance as soon as possible after diagnosis. Early action allows your mesothelioma attorney to begin gathering service records, medical documentation, and other evidence necessary to build a compelling case. With proper legal representation, veterans who became ill after serving aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln can access the benefits and compensation they deserve.
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