The USS Barracuda III (SSK-1) was one of a group of experimental attack submarines developed by the U.S. Navy during the early Cold War period. The first of her class, the Barracuda played a crucial role in developing submarine-versus-submarine warfare tactics and training the next generation of naval officers. Unfortunately, the ship was also built using asbestos-containing parts and equipment, leading to many of her crew members and those who worked on her being exposed to the risk of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.
About the Barracuda (SSK-1)
The SSK-1 was the first of three submarines of her class, but the group was the third model of submarines to bear the name Barracuda. Laid down in July 1949 by the Electric Boat Company of Groton, Connecticut. Sponsored by Mrs. Alice B. Thomas, widow of Commander Willis M. Thomas, the last commanding officer of the submarine Pompano (SS-181), which was lost during World War II, she was launched in March 1951 and commissioned in November 1951, under the command of Lieutenant Commander Frank A. Andrews.[1]
With a displacement of 765 tons surfaced and 1,160 tons submerged, the Barracuda measured 196 feet in length with a beam of 24 feet 7 inches and a draft of 14 feet 5 inches. She had a surface speed of 13 knots and a submerged speed of 8.5 knots, which suited her role as a hunter-killer. She carried a complement of 37 officers and enlisted men and was armed with four 21-inch torpedo tubes.
About the K-1/Barracuda-class Submarines
In the late 1940s, the Navy recognized the threat posed by Soviet submarines, and this drove the development of the Barracuda-class. Analyzing German Type XXI U-boats that had been captured during World War II, naval engineers worked to incorporate their advanced technology. They began by retrofitting Gato and Tench-class boats through the GUPPY program (Greater Underwater Propulsion Power) to turn them into more effective attack submarines, but upon learning how massive the Soviets’ submarine fleet was, the Navy concluded that it needed its own fleet of dedicated hunter-killer submarines. Designating the new class as SSKs, the Navy estimated it would need between 250 and nearly 1,000 vessels, and that drove the need for a purpose-built design that was both economical and easy to produce on a massive scale.[2]
The answer to this need resulted in the K-1-class design, which was later renamed the Barracuda-class. The boats were simple and easy to manufacture. Powered by two General Motors diesel-generators and two General Electric electric motors,[3] they were much smaller and less complicated than other submarines because the Navy wanted a vessel that could be scaled up rapidly by shipyards with no submarine construction experience if wartime production became necessary. The most technologically advanced aspect of the Barracuda class was the bow-mounted BQR-4 passive sonar system, which was moved to the bow to reduce noise and allow the boats to hunt other submarines quietly and effectively. This would become a standard feature in future submarine designs.[2]
The Barracuda SSK-1’s Early Service and Development
After commissioning, K-1 began shakedown training off Newport, Rhode Island, and Norfolk, Virginia. She was then assigned to Submarine Development Group (SubDevGru) 2, operating out of New London, Connecticut. Her primary mission was to explore and develop submarine-versus-submarine warfare tactics, a field that was largely uncharted at the time.[1]
Though her operational area was mainly focused along the East Coast, her assignments occasionally took her further afield. In May 1952, she visited Nassau in the Bahamas, and in June 1953, she was in Havana, Cuba. During 1954, she made port calls at Halifax, Nova Scotia, in February and returned to Nassau in May.
The Barracuda’s Name
An interesting part of the K-1’s history involves her naming. When the Chief of Naval Operations announced that he was going to assign names to the three boats in the K-1 class in 1955, the submarine’s commanding officer, A. H. Jerbert, recommended the name “Killer,” with “Barracuda” offered as an alternative. The Secretary of the Navy decided in favor of the latter, and in December 1955, the name Barracuda became official.
Operational Service and International Missions
The Barracuda conducted experimental and development work for nearly four years after her naming, with missions that took her throughout the Western Atlantic. She visited Bermuda twice and spent ten weeks operating out of Key West in support of the Operational Development Force, before returning to New England waters in October.
In 1959, her home base shifted to Key West, Florida, and she became a training platform for various Navy and Department of Defense educational units. This change in mission reflected the valuable lessons that the Barracuda’s experiments had facilitated, and the fact that they needed to be learned by the entire fleet. The Navy changed her designation from SSK-1 to SST-3, officially recognizing her new role as a training submarine, incorporating what it had learned from her operations into standard naval doctrine and training programs.
After an overhaul completed at the end of April 1962, the vessel resumed her training duties near Key West, then traveled to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to perform similar training missions until the Cuban Missile Crisis interrupted her mission.
Cuban Missile Crisis Response
During the Cuban Missile Crisis in October 1962, the Barracuda was ordered to Charleston. This reflected the military’s desire to keep training assets safe. The crisis lasted for thirteen days, during which American and Soviet forces were at high alert status worldwide. In November 1962, after tensions had eased and the immediate crisis passed, Barracuda returned to her training missions out of Key West, continuing until 1964, when she underwent a significant overhaul at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard. Her distinctive bow sonar array was removed so that she would look and operate more like a conventional submarine during training. In 1965, the submarine returned to training operations.
Final Phase: Ballistic Missile Submarine Training
In July 1968, Barracuda underwent a significant change in mission and location. She changed bases to Charleston, South Carolina, and began a new role as a training platform for ballistic missile submarine junior officers. This mission focused on ship-handling, navigation, and seamanship skills, all critical competencies for officers. The Barracuda also provided training opportunities for enlisted personnel, particularly in roles as lookouts and navigators’ assistants. This approach to training allowed all levels of the submarine force to benefit from her unique capabilities.
During her final years of service, the Barracuda also participated in several special projects, including traveling to Key West in 1970 to participate in the production of a Navy training film on submarine escape procedures. The film represented an important contribution to submarine safety training, helping to educate future submariners about critical emergency procedures.
Final Redesignation and Decommissioning
Barracuda continued training operations out of Charleston until the fall of 1973. After more than twenty-two years of service, she was decommissioned in October at Charleston, South Carolina. Her name was struck from the Navy list the same day, officially ending her naval career. She was scrapped the following year.
The Navy’s Reliance on Asbestos
Asbestos is a mineral that was widely used in construction and manufacturing from the early 1900s through the 1970s. It was prized for several properties that made it particularly valuable in naval applications:
- Heat resistance
- Fire resistance
- Insulation properties
- Chemical resistance
- Durability
- Low cost
The unique dangers and needs of naval vessels, including submarines, made asbestos particularly attractive to shipbuilders and the Navy. Ships at, and under the sea face significant fire risks due to the fuel and ammunition they carry and their complex electrical and propulsion systems. With fires aboard vessels potentially catastrophic and without knowledge that the mineral was carcinogenic, the Navy’s choice of asbestos as a critical safety element makes sense.
Peak Period of Naval Asbestos Use
The heaviest use of asbestos in U.S. naval vessels occurred from the 1930s through the early 1970s. This period encompasses:
- World War II Era (1940s): Rapid shipbuilding during wartime led to extensive use of asbestos-containing materials in destroyers, aircraft carriers, and other types of ships.
- Cold War Buildup (1950s-1960s): The perceived need for naval inventory to match the soviets continued the heavy use of asbestos in new construction.
It wasn’t until the 1970s that knowledge of the dangers of asbestos became public, and federal regulations began limiting and phasing out asbestos use.
Common Applications in Naval Vessels
Asbestos was incorporated into hundreds of different materials and components aboard ships, including:
- Pipe insulation and lagging
- Boiler and engine room insulation
- Steam line insulation
- Electrical wire insulation
Structural Components:
- Wall and ceiling panels
- Deck tiles and flooring
- Gaskets and seals
- Valve packing materials
Safety Equipment:
- Fire-resistant clothing and blankets
- Heat-protective equipment
- Fireproof safes and lockers
Mechanical Systems:
- Turbine insulation
- Pump and motor housings
- HVAC system components
- Brake linings and clutch facings
Submarine-Specific Considerations
Submarines presented particular challenges that led to even more extensive asbestos use:
Confined Spaces: The cramped quarters of submarines meant that any fire or heat-related incident could be especially dangerous, increasing the need for fire-resistant materials.
Nuclear Submarines: The introduction of nuclear power in the 1950s created additional needs for heat-resistant insulation around reactor compartments and steam generation equipment.
Ventilation: Limited air supply in submarines meant that any airborne particles, including asbestos fibers, would recirculate in the air for extended periods.
Torpedo Rooms: Submarine torpedo rooms often contained asbestos materials in gaskets, seals, and insulation materials.
Health Risks and Medical Concerns
Asbestos is not dangerous when it is in place and undisturbed. It becomes dangerous when its fibers become airborne and are inhaled or ingested. This typically happens when asbestos-containing materials are:
- Disturbed during maintenance or repair work
- Damaged by wear, vibration, or impact
- Cut, drilled, or otherwise mechanically disrupted
- Deteriorating as a result of age or environment
Years of research established clear links between asbestos exposure and several serious health conditions, including:
- Mesothelioma: A rare form of cancer that affects the lining of the lungs, abdomen, or heart. This cancer is almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure and has a long latency period, which means it doesn’t begin to show symptoms until 20-50 years after exposure. The disease forms in the cavities holding the lungs (pleural mesothelioma), the abdominal organs (peritoneal mesothelioma), and the heart (pericardial mesothelioma).
- Lung Cancer: Asbestos exposure significantly increases the risk of lung cancer, particularly when combined with smoking.
- Asbestosis: Scarring of lung tissue caused by exposure to asbestos and leading to a chronic condition characterized by discomfort and breathing difficulties.
- Other Conditions: Some studies have suggested links between asbestos exposure and cancers of the larynx, ovaries, and other organs.
Help for USS Barracuda Veterans Diagnosed with Mesothelioma
Veterans Affairs (VA) Benefits
The Department of Veterans Affairs provides several types of assistance for veterans exposed to asbestos during their military service. These include:
- Disability Compensation: Veterans who develop health conditions related to asbestos exposure during military service may be eligible for monthly disability compensation payments.
- Healthcare Benefits: The VA provides healthcare services for veterans, including specialized care for asbestos-related diseases.
- Support Services: The VA provides qualifying veterans and their families with a range of services, including support groups and home health care.
Veterans need to demonstrate that their asbestos-related condition is connected to their military service. Supporting documentation can include:
- Medical evidence of an asbestos-related condition
- Evidence of asbestos exposure during military service
- Medical opinion connecting the condition to military service
VA Medical Centers with Specialized Care
Some VA medical facilities have special expertise in treating asbestos-related diseases:
- Boston VA Medical Center: Known for its mesothelioma and lung cancer treatment programs
- Los Angeles VA Medical Center: Has specialists experienced in treating asbestos-related conditions
Most large VA medical centers have oncology and pulmonology departments experienced with asbestos-related diseases and various forms of cancer.
Legal Considerations
Veterans who served on the Barracuda may also have legal options beyond VA benefits. These include:
- Civil Lawsuits: Veterans may be able to file personal injury lawsuits against companies that manufactured asbestos-containing products used in naval vessels. These lawsuits are typically filed against manufacturers. Families of veterans who have succumbed to an asbestos-related disease may be able to file wrongful death actions.
- Asbestos Trust Funds: Many companies that produced asbestos products have established trust funds to compensate victims. These trust funds were often created as part of bankruptcy proceedings.
Veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases are encouraged to meet with an experienced asbestos attorney who can explain their options for compensation and provide details about the processes involved. These legal professionals will answer all your questions and ask you several questions to help them identify all the companies and exposures that may have played a role in your illness.
Important details that your attorney will use to help you prove your case include:
- Ship assignments and dates of service
- Specific work titles, duties, and work areas
- Any maintenance, repair, or construction work performed by you or in your presence
- Witness statements from fellow service members
- Medical records showing diagnosis and treatment
Getting started on exploring your options soon after diagnosis is important for health reasons as well as for preserving legal rights. Each state has time limits known as statutes of limitations, and legal claims must be filed within the allotted time after diagnosis or discovery of the disease in order to be considered by the courts.
References
- Naval History and Heritage Command. (N.D.). Barracuda III (SSK-1)
Retrieved from: https://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/b/barracuda-iii.html - National Interest. (December 18, 2023.). Why the Navy’s Fearsome Barracuda-Class Submarines Failed
Retrieved from: https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/why-navys-fearsome-barracuda-class-submarines-failed-208021 - Navypedia. (N.D.). K1 Submarines.
Retrieved from: https://www.navypedia.org/ships/usa/us_ss_barracuda51.htm

Terri Heimann Oppenheimer
WriterTerri Oppenheimer has been writing about mesothelioma and asbestos topics for over ten years. She has a degree in English from the College of William and Mary. Terri’s experience as the head writer of our Mesothelioma.net news blog gives her a wealth of knowledge which she brings to all Mesothelioma.net articles she authors.

Dave Foster
Page EditorDave has been a mesothelioma Patient Advocate for over 10 years. He consistently attends all major national and international mesothelioma meetings. In doing so, he is able to stay on top of the latest treatments, clinical trials, and research results. He also personally meets with mesothelioma patients and their families and connects them with the best medical specialists and legal representatives available.