Skip to content
Mesothelioma.net
phone iconCall1-800-692-8608 chat icon Chat 24/7 Live Chat
Menu
  • Malignant Mesothelioma
    • About Mesothelioma
      • How to Survive Mesothelioma
      • 100 Questions & Answers about Mesothelioma (Free Book)
      • Symptoms
      • Diagnosis
      • Prognosis
      • Life Expectancy
    • Types
      • Pleural
      • Peritoneal
      • Epithelioid
      • Sarcomatoid
      • Biphasic
    • Stages
      • Stage 1
      • Stage 2
      • Stage 3
      • Stage 4
    • Additional Information
      • Causes
      • Asbestos and Its Dangers
      • Facts
      • Support
      • Financial Compensation
      • FREE Mesothelioma Packet
  • Treatment
    • Treatment Options
      • Surgery
      • Chemotherapy
      • Radiation Therapy
      • Multimodal Therapy
      • Medications
      • Palliative Treatment
    • Find Top Doctors
      • Doctors
      • Treatment Centers
      • Treatment & Doctors Near You
      • New Treatments
      • Care Providers
      • Clinical Trials
      • Costs
  • Asbestos Trusts
  • Compensation
  • Veteran Assistance
    • Mesothelioma and Veterans
      • VA Claims for Mesothelioma
      • Vietnam Veterans
    • Military Branches and Asbestos
      • Navy Veterans
      • Navy Ships
      • Marine Corps Veterans
      • Army Veterans
      • Air Force Veterans
      • U.S. Coast Guard
  • Surviving Mesothelioma
  • About Us / Contact
  • Home
Page Updated: November 08, 2021

USS Galveston (CL-93)

Dave Foster Page Edited by Patient Advocate Dave Foster

FREE Mesothelioma Packet

Fact Checked

This page has been fact checked by an experienced mesothelioma Patient Advocate. Sources of information are listed at the bottom of the article.

FREE Mesothelioma Packet

We make every attempt to keep our information accurate and up-to-date.

Please Contact Us with any questions or comments.

The USS Galveston (CL-93) was a member of the largest class of light cruisers ever built by the U.S. Navy, the Cleveland class. Like other ships in the U.S. Navy built between the 1930s and the 1970s, the Galveston used asbestos in hundreds of parts and materials. This heavy use led many Navy veterans to develop mesothelioma, asbestosis, lung cancer, and other respiratory illnesses.

FREE Mesothelioma Packet

About the USS Galveston

The USS Galveston began her life in the U.S. Navy as a light cruiser, CL-93. She was laid down in 1944 at the William Cramp & Sons Shipbuilding Company in Philadelphia.

She launched in 1945, but then the final stages of construction were put on hold, and she was reassigned to the Atlantic Reserve Fleet. She received a reclassification of CLG-3 in 1956 and became a guided-missile cruiser.

She was fully commissioned on May 28, 1958, in Philadelphia, under the command of Captain J.B. Colwell.[1] The Galveston was the second Navy ship to be named for the city in Texas.

The Galveston was initially part of the Cleveland class of light cruisers, a large group of ships built on the previous cruiser class with a greater range, better anti-aircraft weapons, and torpedoes.

Reclassified in 1956, she became the first member of the small Galveston class of guided missile light cruisers. She was 610 feet in length and displaced 14,358 tons at her maximum load. She was powered by four steam boilers and propelled by four geared turbines.

Service History

The USS Galveston had an unusual history in being kept in a sort of limbo for ten years between initial construction and commissioning. She was transformed with upgrades and fixes into a guided missile light cruiser in 1956, and this finally set her off on her service journey in the U.S. Navy, which lasted just twelve years.

She spent her first few years testing the Talos missile, a 3,000 pound guided missile. The Galveston became the first vessel to launch this missile at sea.

By 1962, after testing and refitting, the Galveston was ready to join the Pacific Fleet. Her first deployment was in the Pacific between 1963 and 1964 as a member of the Seventh Fleet. During this first deployment, she served in the waters off Japan and Taiwan.

In the mid-1960s, she was deployed to the Pacific for various operations, including the Vietnam War. During that conflict, she performed search and rescue operations, provided gunfire support, and provided air defense.

After serving in Vietnam, the USS Galveston was assigned to the Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean. There she assisted and provided support during conflicts between Israel and other Middle Eastern countries.

After service in the Atlantic Fleet, she rejoined the Pacific Fleet and participated in a final tour of duty there, providing more gunfire support in Vietnam. She relieved the battleship USS New Jersey for a short period, firing off thousands of rounds supporting the war effort.

The Galveston’s last deployment was to the Mediterranean in 1969. Following that final deployment, she returned to San Diego for deactivation. The Galveston was decommissioned in May 1970 and was stricken from the Naval Vessel Register in 1973. In 1975 she was sold for scrap for just over $800,000.

Asbestos Use on the USS Galveston

When construction began on the USS Galveston in the 1940s, ships in the Navy contained significant amounts of asbestos. Hundreds of different components and materials that went into Navy vessels had this mineral.

It was chosen for several reasons: asbestos was inexpensive and abundant from mines at the time, it excelled at insulating against heat, it could also protect well against fire, and finally, it was lightweight.

The cruisers like the Galveston needed insulation and fireproofing, but they also needed to be as light as possible to maximize speed and range while minimizing fuel needs.

Areas of the ship that had some of the heaviest use of asbestos were where the large, heat-generating equipment was housed. The boiler rooms and areas near the turbines contained the most asbestos. This machinery generated a lot of heat and could cause deadly fires, so they and the rooms they were in were heavily insulated with asbestos.

Pipes that carried steam throughout the ship also had to be insulated to prevent heat loss and burns. In addition to these heavy uses of asbestos, the mineral was used in many other lesser components, like flooring, fireproof clothing, protective gloves worn by gunners, electrical components deck matting, ropes, gaskets, and many others parts.

Asbestos Exposure in Navy Veterans

While the USS Galveston contained asbestos, most of the ships of its era were made with asbestos. This means that every veteran who served aboard these ships risked exposure to the harmful mineral that, decades later, can cause mesothelioma and other illnesses.

Anyone on board could have been exposed by inhaling the tiny fibers that sometimes come loose from asbestos. This happens as materials degrade over time, but also when materials are damaged or removed and altered during maintenance and repairs.

Sailors stationed in the boiler or engine rooms were in areas of the ship with poor ventilation. Even in other parts of the ship, including the mess hall and sleeping quarters, ventilation was not great, and asbestos fibers could have accumulated in the air.

Anyone who had to repair or maintain any of the materials on the Galveston that contained asbestos was at particular risk of being exposed.

Men who served on the Galveston have made claims with the Veterans Administration to get compensation for later asbestos-related illnesses. One came from a veteran who developed asbestosis after service that included time on the USS Galveston.

He testified that he worked as a firefighter and was exposed to asbestos through the gear he used on board. This and other claims illustrate that veterans were put at risk and paid the price decades later because of exposure during service.

If you served on the Galveston or another U.S. Navy ship, you could have been exposed to asbestos. It is important to be screened for related illnesses and to get treatment early. It is also important to make claims with the Veterans Administration to get the compensation you deserve and the healthcare you need. Let an experienced advocate work with you to make that claim.

Get Your FREE Mesothelioma Packet

Page Edited by Patient Advocate Dave Foster

Dave Foster

Dave 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.

Connect with Patient Advocate Dave Foster

References
  1. NavSource. (2018, December 31). USS Galveston (CL 93/CLG 3).
    Retrieved from: https://www.navsource.org/archives/04/1103/040103.htm
View All References

Site Navigation

Home
Malignant Mesothelioma
How to Survive Mesothelioma
100 Questions & Answers about Mesothelioma (Free Book)
Surviving Mesothelioma - Beating the Odds (Free Book)
FREE Mesothelioma Packet
Symptoms
Shortness of Breath
Cough
Night Sweats and Fever
Weight Loss
Pain
Difficulty Swallowing
Fatigue and Muscle Weakness
Gastrointestinal Complications
Diagnosis
Pathology
Staging
Stage 1
Stage 2
Stage 3
Stage 4
Metastasis and Progression
Brain Metastasis
Biopsy
miRview Test
Imaging
Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy
Biomarkers and Blood Tests
Calretinin
Prognosis
Remission
Recurrence
Death Rate
Life Expectancy
Search for a Mesothelioma Cure
Types
Pleural
Peritoneal
Epithelioid
Sarcomatoid
Biphasic
Pericardial
Testicular
Cell Types
Rare Subtypes of Epithelial Mesothelioma
Deciduoid
Desmoplastic
Heterologous
Lymphohistiocytoid
Well-Differentiated Papillary
Tubulopapillary
Small Cell
Benign
Adenomatoid
Cystic
Unresectable
Localized
Idiopathic
Omental
Causes
Risk Factors
Latest Research
Genetic Components
Incidence
Latency Period
Mesothelioma Tumor
Health Insurance Coverage
Related Conditions
Immunodeficiency Disorders
Cholangiocarcinoma
Atelectasis
Pleural Plaques
Pleural Thickening
Pleural Effusion
Peritoneal Effusion (Ascites)
Mesothelial Hyperplasia and Proliferation
Pleuritis and Pleurisy
COPD
Anemia
Breast Cancer
Prevention
Complications
Misdiagnosis
Mesothelioma Commercial
Talcum Baby Powder
Lawyer
Lawsuits
Class Action Lawsuits
Settlements
Simian Virus 40
Differences From Other Cancers
Lung Cancer
Women
Children and Young Adults
Unknown Asbestos Exposure
Mesothelioma Without Asbestos
Cause of Death
Facts 
History
Awareness
Government and Research
National Mesothelioma Virtual Bank
Support
What to Expect
Living with Mesothelioma
Help a Loved One
Wrong and Right Things to Say
Caregivers
Financial Tips
Faith
Nutrition and Lifestyle
Intimacy
Mesothelioma and Fertility in Men
Fertility in Women with Mesothelioma
Emotional Health
COVID-19
Assisted Living
Hospice Care
Dying from Mesothelioma
Mourning
Coping Guide for Children
End-of-Life Decisions
Mesothelioma Awareness Day
Compensation for Victims
Lawyer
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington D.C.
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Lawsuit
Settlements
Statute of Limitations
Treatment
Surgery
Side Effects
Pneumonectomy
Extrapleural Pneumonectomy
Lobectomy
Pleurectomy / Decortication
Post Op Care
Pleurectomy / Decortication vs. Extrapleural Pneumonectomy
Peritonectomy/Cytoreductive Surgery
Thoracotomy
Thoracoscopy
Pericardiectomy
Wedge Resection
Pleurodesis
Pericardiocentesis
Prosthetics
Paracentesis
Thoracentesis
Chemotherapy
Side Effects
Heated Intraperitoneal
Radiation Therapy
Side Effects
Intensity-Modulated
Brachytherapy
Proton Therapy
Image-Guided
External Beam
Three-Dimensional
Multimodal Therapy
New Treatments
SMART Protocol
Gene Therapy
Suicide Gene Therapy
Tumor-Based p53 Therapy
Cryotherapy for Mesothelioma
Tumor Treating Fields
MicroRNA
Palliative Treatment
Osteopathic
Doctors
Treatment Centers
Treatment & Doctors Near You
Mesothelioma Experts
Medications
Alimta (pemetrexed)
Adriamycin (doxorubicin)
Avastin (bevacizumab)
Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide)
Gemzar (gemcitabine)
Keytruda (Pembrolizumab)
Mitomycin
Navelbine (vinorelbine)
Opdivo (nivolumab) and Yervoy (ipilimumab)
Paraplatin (carboplatin)
Platinol (cisplatin)
Rheumatrex (methotrexate)
Sutent (sunitinib)
Taxol (paclitaxel)
Medical Marijuana
Care Providers
Clinical Trials
Anetumab Ravtansine
Atezolizumab
Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-Cell
Durvalumab
Immunotoxin
Interferon Alfa-2b
Onconase (Ranpirnase)
VISTA Protein
Costs
Immunotherapy
Nanotechnology
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Home Medical Equipment
HMGB1 Secretion
Photodynamic Therapy
Targeted Therapies
Apoptosis
Stem Cells
Lung Transplantation
Body-Based Therapies
Alternative Therapies
Paul Kraus’s Method
Doctors and Treatment in Canada
Asbestos Trusts
Veterans
VA Claims for Mesothelioma
Vietnam Veterans
Military Branches and Asbestos
Navy Veterans
Navy Ships
Aircraft Carriers
Battleships
Destroyers
Asbestos on Navy Cruisers
Submarines
Amphibious Ships
Minesweepers
Auxiliary Ships
Marine Corps Veterans
Army Veterans
Air Force Veterans
U.S. Coast Guard
Asbestos
Occupational Exposure
Construction Workers
Shipyard Workers
Ship Repair
Steel Mill Workers
Industrial Workers
Boiler Workers
Power Plant Workers
Firefighters
Automotive Workers
Roofers
Oil Refineries
Mining
Transportation Industry
Machine Operators
Farmers and Agricultural Workers
Migrant Workers
Electrical Wiring
Labor Unions
Prisons
Chimneys, Furnaces, and Wood Stoves
Fiberglass Connection to Mesothelioma
Home Remodeling
School Buildings, Teachers
For Tech Students
Cancer
Lung Cancer
Pleural Based Cancers
Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian Cancer Lawsuits
Companies That Used Asbestos
Awareness and Education
Types of Asbestos & Mesothelioma Risk
Asbestosis
Interstitial Lung Disease
Smoking
Asbestos Ingestion
Exposure in a Natural Disaster
Ban Asbestos
Libby, Montana
Recycling Asbestos
Asbestos Detection
Legal Information by State
Canada
Mexico
United Kingdom
Australia
  • Malignant Mesothelioma
    • Treatment
    • Asbestos Trusts
  • Compensation
    • Veteran Assistance
    • Surviving Mesothelioma
  • FREE Mesothelioma Packet
    • Mesothelioma News
    • About Us / Contact
  • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Editorial Guidelines and Standards
This website is certified by Health On the Net Foundation. Click to verify. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here.
The information provided by Mesothelioma.net is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

Mesothelioma.net

5430 LBJ Freeway Suite 1200
Dallas, Texas 75240

Serving mesothelioma victims nationwide

1-800-692-8608

  • facebook
  • twitter
© 2022 Mesothelioma.net