The USS Lafayette (SSBN-616) was the flagship vessel of her submarine class, which played a pivotal role in America’s nuclear deterrence throughout the Cold War. From 1963 until she was decommissioned in 1990, she conducted 76 strategic deterrent patrols across the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. Like other naval vessels of her time, the Lafayette’s construction made extensive use of asbestos-containing materials. This was dangerous for both shipyard workers and the vessel’s crews, who faced constant exposure to these dangerous fibers.
The Lafayette-Class Fleet Ballistic Missile Submarines
The USS Lafayette was the lead vessel of the third generation of America’s advanced Polaris-firing submarine fleet. These vessels represented significant improvements over their predecessors, featuring more comfortable crew living spaces and expanded operational capabilities designed for longer underwater missions.[1]
The Lafayette-class vessels were notable for the forward-thinking that went into their engineering: They were assembled in anticipation of the weapons upgrades they would need to accommodate in the future. Initially outfitted with Polaris A-2 missiles, the adaptability of the Lafayette-class submarines’ missile compartment design meant they could later accommodate the more powerful Poseidon C-3 system.
These nuclear-powered submarines measured 425 feet in length with a 33-foot beam, displacing 7,310 tons when surfaced and 8,260 tons submerged. The improved crew facilities included additional compartments, recreational areas, and enhanced living quarters designed to boost morale during extensive deployments spent underwater. The vessels operated with a complement of 15 officers and 130 enlisted personnel, using dual crew rotations to maximize their time in operation.
The propulsion for the Lafayette-class submarines came from single S5W pressurized water nuclear reactors manufactured by Westinghouse. They delivered 15,000 horsepower through geared steam turbines that enabled surface speeds of 21 knots and submerged speeds exceeding 20 knots. The submarines carried 16 vertical ballistic missile launch tubes and four 21-inch torpedo tubes equipped with Mark 65 systems for defensive purposes.[1]
About the USS Lafayette (SSBN-616)
The Submarine’s Namesake
The inaugural vessel of her class, the USS Lafayette, bore the name of Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette, the French aristocrat and military leader who provided critical assistance to American forces during the Revolutionary War.[2]
Construction and Initial Operations
Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics in Groton, Connecticut, laid the keel for the USS Lafayette in January 1961. The vessel was launched in May 1962 with First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy serving as sponsor. The submarine was commissioned in April 1963, under the command of Commander P.J. Hannifin for the Blue Crew and Commander James T. Strong for the Gold Crew.[2]
After commissioning, the Lafayette underwent shakedown operations in the Caribbean before being sent to Charleston, South Carolina, for Polaris missile loading. In June 1963, the submarine traveled to Cape Canaveral, Florida, for ballistic missile exercises, successfully firing four test missiles. The vessel then returned to Groton for additional training exercises before joining the operational fleet.
Early Deterrent Missions
The USS Lafayette commenced her inaugural deterrent patrol in January 1964, departing Charleston for operations in the Atlantic Ocean. Over the next four years, she completed 16 deterrent patrols operating from the advanced facility at Rota, Spain. On her 15th patrol, she achieved special recognition as the 400th patrol conducted by the entire Polaris submarine fleet, earning commendation from Secretary of the Navy Paul Nitze.
The submarine concluded her 16th patrol in August 1967 and then sailed for Newport News, Virginia, for extensive overhaul and modernization work by Newport News Shipbuilding. This refit was finished in December 1968, allowing the Lafayette to resume operational duties in January 1969.
Continued Atlantic Operations
The Lafayette maintained an intensive operational tempo throughout the late 1960s and early 1970s, conducting multiple deterrent patrols each year. During September 1971, she launched five Polaris A-2 missiles in a demonstration that earned her Gold Crew a Meritorious Unit Commendation for their exceptional performance and technical proficiency.
In 1972, the submarine transitioned to New London, Connecticut, where she supported submarine training operations for over 1,000 midshipmen during the summer indoctrination program. Rear Admiral Paul J. Early commended Lafayette’s crews for their outstanding execution of this vital training mission.
Poseidon Conversion and Modernization
After offloading her weapons in preparation for major modifications, the Lafayette entered Electric Boat’s shipyard in October 1972 for an extensive 18-month overhaul and conversion to carry the advanced Poseidon missile system. Her Blue and Gold crews were consolidated into a single overhaul crew. The conversion process went beyond the planned timeline due to shipyard workforce challenges, but the Lafayette finally emerged from the modernization work in November 1974.
In December of that year, the Lafayette’s Blue Crew achieved a historic milestone by conducting the first successful Poseidon C-3 missile launch by any vessel of her class.
Atlantic Fleet Service and Later Operations
Following conversion completion, the Lafayette’s homeport and continued strategic deterrent missions shifted to Holy Loch, Scotland. The submarine conducted alternating patrols with her dual crews, maintaining America’s continuous at-sea nuclear deterrent presence.
In June 1977, Lafayette demonstrated the ongoing effectiveness of the Fleet Ballistic Missile system by launching two Poseidon missiles in operational testing. She continued regular patrol cycles while periodically conducting torpedo proficiency exercises at the AUTEC range near Bermuda.
Extended Refueling and Final Service Period
In March 1981, Lafayette entered Newport News shipyard for an extended refueling overhaul. She remained there through 1982.
In May 1983, the Lafayette officially returned to operational status. Both of her crews completed comprehensive shakedown training, including reactor examinations, torpedo certifications, and nuclear weapons inspections before the vessel resumed deterrent patrols.
The Lafayette continued her operational missions throughout the 1980s while operating with Submarine Squadron 14 based at Holy Loch. She suffered damage from high winds while moored alongside the floating dry dock Los Alamos in January 1986, which led to her needing emergency repairs that delayed patrol schedules.
Notable Achievements and International Relations
Lafayette’s operational career included several diplomatic milestones, including the first American submarine port visit to Brest, France, during Patrol 72, where she participated in Bastille Day celebrations. The submarine also conducted port visits in Lisbon, Portugal, demonstrating America’s commitment to NATO allies.[2]
Throughout her service, Lafayette’s crews consistently achieved superior ratings on operational examinations and tactical readiness evaluations, reflecting the high standards maintained throughout her operational life.
Deactivation and End of Service
The Lafayette completed her 76th and final deterrent patrol in September 1990, concluding nearly three decades of strategic service. During a change of command ceremony at Groton in October of that year, the submarine’s Blue and Gold crews combined into a single-crew operation. The vessel continued participating in exercises with attack submarines before returning to Groton in December 1990, to prepare for transfer to the Pacific Fleet for inactivation procedures.
The Lafayette was deactivated in March 1991 and was formally decommissioned and struck from the Naval Vessel Register in August. The submarine immediately entered the Navy’s Nuclear Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program at Bremerton, Washington, with recycling completed in February 1992.
Asbestos Contamination Aboard the USS Lafayette
Consistent with naval construction practices of the 1960s, the USS Lafayette contained asbestos materials nearly everywhere, throughout her structure. There was a reason for this: Though we now know that asbestos is carcinogenic, the Navy didn’t have that information in the 1960s, and the military’s priorities for its vessels were fire resistance and thermal protection. These two needs were directly addressed by the mineral. As a result, the hazardous mineral was used across virtually every system and compartment.
High-Risk Exposure Areas in the USS Lafayette
The USS Lafayette’s nuclear propulsion systems required extensive thermal insulation, and this led to asbestos being used in reactor compartments, engine rooms, and steam generation areas. Piping systems carrying superheated steam were wrapped with asbestos insulation, while machinery components utilized asbestos gaskets and sealing materials to hold up to extreme operating conditions.
Living quarters, mess areas, and crew workspaces also contained asbestos, where it was used in flooring materials, wall panels, and overhead installations. The submarine’s electrical infrastructure was filled with asbestos-insulated wiring and control panel components, and emergency firefighting equipment and damage control systems also contained asbestos materials for enhanced fire resistance.
Ventilation and Air Quality Concerns
The submarine’s closed-loop atmospheric systems created particularly hazardous conditions, as when asbestos-containing materials deteriorated or were disturbed during maintenance operations, they would distribute the resulting microscopic, toxic fibers throughout the vessel. As a result, even crew members who never worked directly with asbestos were affected by its presence on the submarine.
Maintenance activities involving insulation removal, equipment repairs, or system modifications regularly released asbestos particles into the confined submarine environment. Even routine operations could generate airborne contamination, as aging materials that were deteriorating from normal wear and vibration broke down and entered the vessel’s air system.
Lafayette Crew Members at Greatest Risk
Personnel serving aboard the USS Lafayette encountered significant asbestos exposure risks throughout their assignments, whether during operational patrols or maintenance periods. The submarine’s confined spaces meant that any asbestos disturbance could affect crew members throughout the vessel.
Certain specialties faced elevated exposure risks due to their direct interaction with asbestos-containing systems:
- Nuclear reactor operators and engineering personnel
- Electrical technicians and communications specialists
- Maintenance workers handling insulation materials
- Weapons systems technicians
- Damage control and firefighting teams
However, even personnel with minimal direct contact with asbestos materials faced exposure through contaminated air circulation, surface contact, or proximity to colleagues whose clothing carried asbestos fibers.
Medical Consequences of Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos has a unique physical structure consisting of separable, long, thin fibers that can become airborne when materials are disturbed or deteriorate with age. When these microscopic particles are inhaled or ingested, they can become embedded in body tissues, where they cause inflammation and cellular damage that reveals itself over time.
Mesothelioma is the most serious asbestos-related illness. It develops in the protective organ known as the mesothelium, which surrounds the lungs, abdomen, or heart. This aggressive cancer typically manifests decades after initial exposure, with symptoms including respiratory distress, chest pain, and fluid accumulation. Patient survival rates remain poor, with most diagnoses carrying a prognosis of less than two years.
Additional asbestos-related conditions include:
- Lung cancer, particularly dangerous for individuals with smoking histories
- Asbestosis, a progressive lung scarring condition that impairs breathing
- Pleural disorders, including thickening, plaques, and fluid buildup, each of which restricts respiratory function and often serve as a warning sign of future malignancy development
Support Resources for USS Lafayette Veterans
Veterans who served aboard the USS Lafayette and subsequently developed asbestos-related illnesses have access to multiple forms of assistance and compensation:
Department of Veterans Affairs Benefits
The VA has recognized that military personnel were extensively exposed to asbestos during their service and has identified asbestos-related diseases as service-connected conditions. Veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma or related illnesses may qualify for monthly disability compensation, specialized medical care, and survivor benefits for family members. Mesothelioma receives an automatic 100% disability classification, expediting claims processing and maximizing benefit payments.
Lawsuits Against Manufacturers
While veterans and surviving family members can’t pursue legal action against the Navy, they can file personal injury lawsuits and wrongful death lawsuits against the companies that manufactured or supplied asbestos products used in submarine construction or that they experienced over their lifetime. Years of discovery efforts by mesothelioma attorneys have revealed that many manufacturers knew about the dangers of asbestos even as they continued to supply contaminated products to military contractors. Their decision to keep this information quiet meant profitability at the time, but over the last five decades, juries have awarded substantial damages for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Some have been found guilty of such egregious negligence and recklessness that they’ve been assessed punitive damages, too. Many cases result in favorable settlement agreements before trial.
Asbestos Trust Fund Compensation
Starting in the 1970s, victims of exposure began filing asbestos lawsuits that led to such significant liabilities that many asbestos manufacturers were forced into bankruptcy. Unwilling to allow them to escape responsibility for their negligence, the bankruptcy courts required them to establish bankruptcy trust funds to compensate future victims. These trusts maintain over $30 billion in available funds and have distributed billions in compensation over recent decades. While trust fund payments typically provide lower amounts than successful litigation, they offer faster resolution without adversarial legal proceedings.
Legal Assistance for USS Lafayette Veterans
Navy veterans and shipyard workers facing asbestos-related disease diagnoses get significant benefit from working with experienced asbestos litigation attorneys. These specialized lawyers have dedicated themselves to getting justice for those exposed to asbestos. They know all the ins and outs of establishing service-connected exposure, identifying responsible parties, and navigating both the VA benefits system and the civil litigation processes.
Time is of the essence, both because of the impact of asbestos-related diseases and the legal system’s statutes of limitations that restrict the time available for filing personal injury claims. Early consultation with qualified legal counsel ensures veterans can pursue all available compensation options while preserving their legal rights.
With proper legal guidance, affected veterans can hold negligent companies accountable while securing the financial resources necessary for medical treatment and family security during challenging times.
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