The USS Lewis and Clark (SSBN-644) was a Benjamin Franklin-class ballistic missile submarine that served the U.S. Navy from 1965 to 1992. Like other World War II and Cold War naval vessels, the ship was built using substantial amounts of asbestos that created serious health risks for the crew, as well as shipyard personnel who served her. These veterans and workers now face the possibility of developing mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, asbestosis, and other severe respiratory illnesses linked to asbestos exposure.
The Benjamin Franklin-Class Submarines
The Benjamin Franklin-class submarines were the last type of vessel built for an ambitious Navy deterrent program known as “41 for Freedom.” The subs featured the most sophisticated stealth technology along with Lafayette-type ballistic missile platforms. The USS Lewis and Clark (SSBN-644) was the sixth of the twelve that were built.[1]
These submarines were very large, measuring 425 feet in length with a 33-foot beam. This was a substantial increase in size compared to previous designs. The vessel had a displacement of 7,320 tons and maintained a crew of 140 personnel – 14 officers and 126 enlisted sailors – organized into alternating Blue and Gold crew rotations. Propulsion came from a single S5W Westinghouse pressurized water nuclear reactor generating 15,000 shaft horsepower, which powered surface speeds exceeding 20 knots and submerged operations at over 16 knots. The submarine’s strategic abilities centered on 16 vertical ballistic missile launch tubes, supplemented by four forward-mounted 21-inch torpedo tubes for tactical operations.
The Benjamin Franklin- and Lafayette-class ballistic missile submarines were among the last submarines built for the Navy using asbestos. When they were retired, they were replaced by the Ohio Class.[1]
About the USS Lewis and Clark
The Ship’s Namesakes
The USS Lewis and Clark (SSBN-644) was named in honor of the legendary American explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, who conducted a historic expedition across the western territories from 1804 to 1806.
Construction and Operations
The USS Lewis and Clark was built at the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company in Newport News, Virginia. Her keel was laid in July 1963, and she was launched in November 1964, sponsored by Mrs. M. F. Engman and Mrs. M. G. Sale. The vessel was commissioned in December 1965, under the leadership of Commander John F. Fagan, Jr., commanding the Blue Crew, and Commander Kenneth A. Porter leading the Gold Crew.[2]
Following commissioning, the Lewis and Clark conducted extensive shakedown operations and missile testing off Cape Kennedy, Florida, in 1966. To fulfill her strategic deterrent mission as part of the nation’s nuclear deterrent force, the vessel was initially armed with Polaris A-3 ballistic missiles, but she underwent significant weapons system upgrades throughout her service career.[3]
Between May 1971 and July 1972, Lewis and Clark received a comprehensive conversion at Bremerton, Washington, shipyard so she could accommodate the advanced Poseidon C-3 missile system. By July 1972, this conversion had been completed, and by December of that year, the Gold Crew successfully demonstrated the new capability by launching a Poseidon C-3 missile during Demonstration and Shakedown Operations.
The Lewis and Clark conducted numerous operational tests throughout her career, including successful four-missile Poseidon launches during Follow-on Operational Tests in June 1981 and June 1985. In between, the submarine underwent a major Poseidon refueling overhaul at Newport News Shipbuilding in July 1981.[3]
The Lewis and Clark’s operational service included deployments to the Mediterranean, North Atlantic, and Arctic regions as part of Cold War strategic deterrent patrols. From October 1990 to March 1991, she participated in the Gulf War, conducting operations supporting Desert Storm while maintaining Arctic patrol capabilities.
The Lewis and Clark was deactivated while still in commission in October 1991 and formally decommissioned in June 1992 after 26 years of service. The vessel was struck from the Naval Vessel Register in August 1992 and scrapped through the Nuclear-Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program.
The Military’s Tragic Dependence on Asbestos-Containing Products
During the Cold War, the Navy administration was intent on protecting both its human and physical assets. To accomplish that goal, they ordered that asbestos materials be incorporated throughout the fleet’s construction. Of all the ships built for the military, submarines represented the most intensive usage during that time, as its exceptional thermal resistance properties, superior insulation performance, and chemical stability matched the needs of the vessels’ extreme operating conditions and the risks posed by maritime environments and the potential for catastrophic system failures.
The extensive use of these protective materials was well-intentioned, but had tragic results, as decades later, crew members began displaying symptoms of asbestos-related diseases. It was only later that the medical community established clear connections between asbestos exposure and deadly respiratory illnesses and cancers.
By 1973, Naval leadership had been made fully aware of asbestos dangers and had initiated restrictions on its use in new construction projects and major vessel refurbishments. By 1975, the material had been largely eliminated from new installations, though existing asbestos materials in thousands of vessels remained in place until maintenance operations necessitated their removal.[4]
The Navy’s extensive history of asbestos use, combined with news of the material’s dangers, created significant challenges for Naval operations. With legacy asbestos embedded throughout the fleet, the service branch concluded that complete removal was deemed impractical. Instead, the Navy focused on containment, encapsulation, educational training for workers who might encounter asbestos during maintenance activities, and careful monitoring of hazardous materials. These comprehensive asbestos management procedures, including detailed material surveys and strict handling and disposal protocols, continued until the affected vessels could be retired from service.[4]
Where Was Asbestos Used in the USS Lewis and Clark?
Because Naval construction specifications and military standards required asbestos-containing products wherever thermal management, fire suppression, or insulation was needed, the USS Lewis and Clark contained the toxic mineral in nearly every compartment and system throughout its structure. The areas with the greatest concentrations included:
Engine Room and Mechanical Areas
These areas, including reactor compartments, engine rooms, and auxiliary machinery spaces, were extensively fortified with asbestos insulation to shield both equipment and crew members from extreme heat conditions. The equipment itself, as well as its steam lines and exhaust systems, was coated or sprayed with the material, and thermal protection blankets were provided for crew safety around hot surfaces. Critical valves and fittings also contained asbestos gaskets and sealing compounds to prevent system malfunctions and maintain operational integrity. These parts needed frequent cleaning and replacement, which sent asbestos dust into the air.
Crew Quarters and Workspaces, Electrical Systems, and Emergency Equipment
Asbestos was a component of the materials used in decks, bulkhead panels, overhead tiles, and protective finishes throughout the sleeping quarters, galley areas, and operational spaces. Electrical systems depended heavily on asbestos-containing wire insulation, conduit materials, and control panel components, while the submarine’s emergency response equipment, including fire suppression systems and safety devices, incorporated asbestos for protection against high temperatures and flames.
Ventilation Systems
Air circulation systems are critical in a sealed submarine environment, but in the Lewis and Clark’s asbestos-polluted surroundings, they both provided air and distributed any asbestos particles released through routine maintenance activities. They also contained asbestos-containing insulation and filtration components, which could break down and be blown from the vents and ducts. Standard supplies, repair materials, and adhesive products contained asbestos, and the submarine’s weapons systems also used it for thermal management and fire protection in missile compartments and associated equipment. The carcinogenic mineral was inescapable.
Who Was at Risk for Asbestos Exposure Aboard the USS Lewis and Clark
Because asbestos was used so extensively throughout the vessel, every sailor who served aboard the USS Lewis and Clark and every shipyard worker involved in maintenance and repairs faced potential exposure. Despite its large size, the submarine’s interior was extremely confined, and restricted circulation exacerbated the chance of inhaling airborne microscopic asbestos fibers and later being diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases. The crew members who faced the most worrying dangers were those who worked in the areas where the material was most concentrated. This included:
- Engineering department staff
- Nuclear reactor technicians
- Electrical systems specialists
- Missile maintenance personnel
- Electronics technicians
- Workers responsible for removing asbestos insulation during maintenance procedures
- Weapons specialists
Even crew members not directly involved in maintenance or repair work faced exposure dangers through contaminated uniforms, the submarine’s ventilation system, and the presence of asbestos materials in common living and working spaces. Asbestos fibers disturbed in one area could easily spread throughout the entire vessel, potentially affecting all personnel on board.
Medical Consequences of Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos exposure creates the risk of being diagnosed with diseases that can remain dormant for decades after the microscopic particles are inhaled or ingested. Once lodged in the lungs, chest cavity lining, and other tissues, these needle-like fragments can become permanently embedded in cells, where they can then trigger chronic inflammation and cellular damage that eventually leads to malignancies and other disabling conditions.
- Of all the asbestos-related illnesses, mesothelioma is the most deadly. This rare and lethal form of cancer is diagnosed in approximately 3,500 Americans each year, and Navy veterans represent a disproportionate percentage of that group. Life expectancy for patients diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma averages just 12 to 21 months from the time it is diagnosed; those with peritoneal mesothelioma typically survive several years longer. Whether affecting the lungs, heart, or abdomen, the disease attacks the mesothelium, a unique organ that lines body cavities and prevents other organs from adhering to each other. Mesothelioma symptoms typically appear 20 to 50 years after exposure. They include chest pain, respiratory difficulties, persistent cough, and abdominal swelling.
- Asbestos exposure also significantly increases lung cancer risk. Asbestos-related lung cancer may not appear until 15 to 35 years after exposure. Its symptoms include persistent cough, chest pain, and breathing difficulties. The disease is much more likely to develop when asbestos exposure combines with tobacco use.
- Asbestosis is a progressive lung disease where asbestos exposure causes scarring in lung tissue. This condition leads to increasingly severe breathing problems, chronic cough, and significant chest pain.
- Pleural plaques, pleural effusions, and diffuse pleural thickening are debilitating conditions that impact quality of life. All affect the respiratory system, causing breathing difficulties and pain, and frequently signal future diagnoses of malignant conditions.
Benefits and Legal Options for USS Lewis and Clark Veterans
A concerning number of Navy veterans who served aboard the USS Lewis and Clark and other submarines have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. If this has happened to you, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed, but there are several options available to help. The Department of Veterans Affairs has recognized that asbestos exposure experienced during military service has sickened tens of thousands of veterans and has created pathways for both disability compensation and specialized medical treatment. Additionally, many veterans have successfully pursued justice from the asbestos manufacturers and suppliers responsible for their exposure, resulting in billions of dollars in jury awards and negotiated settlements.
Department of Veterans Affairs Benefits
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers comprehensive benefits for veterans with service-connected asbestos-related diseases. Veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis can file claims for disability compensation, specialized medical treatment, and additional benefits for their families. Mesothelioma is classified as 100% disabling, which promises both maximum compensation and an expedited claims process.
Legal Action
Beyond benefits available from the VA, veterans are often eligible to pursue civil litigation against the manufacturers and suppliers of asbestos-containing products that were used aboard their vessels, as well as in their civilian lives. While veterans can’t sue the Navy or federal government directly, they can seek compensation from these companies, and successful litigation can result in substantial settlements or jury awards to cover medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Over the last four decades, hundreds of thousands of victims have filed personal injury and wrongful death cases. Many have been successfully resulted in jury verdicts ordering payment from the companies that manufactured insulation, seals, valves, pumps, and other asbestos-containing materials found aboard submarines like the USS Lewis and Clark.
Asbestos Compensation Trusts
Asbestos compensation trusts provide another important source of financial support for affected veterans. While these funds typically don’t pay victims the same amounts that successful litigation does, they do offer an appealing alternative to a lengthy and often challenging legal process. Created specifically to compensate victims diagnosed with asbestos-related illnesses decades after exposure, these trusts have distributed billions of dollars in claims and maintain an additional $30 billion for future victims.
Legal Support and Resources for USS Lewis and Clark Veterans Diagnosed with Mesothelioma
Veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illnesses should consult with a qualified asbestos attorney immediately following their diagnosis. These experienced legal professionals specialize in helping those with both occupational and military exposure. They understand the unique challenges of documenting naval service exposure and have extensive resources to help identify all potentially liable parties and available compensation sources. In addition to developing and implementing a comprehensive legal strategy, they’ll assist with preparing and filing VA claims. Their goal is to minimize the burden on affected veterans and their families while maximizing the compensation they receive.
With skilled, specialized legal representation, veterans who become ill after serving aboard the USS Lewis and Clark can access the benefits and compensation they deserve, but they need to act quickly. Legal deadlines called statutes of limitations dictate how long victims have to file personal injury claims, including those involving asbestos-related illnesses. Affected veterans interested in pursuing legal action should reach out to legal counsel as soon after diagnosis as possible so that their mesothelioma attorney can begin gathering service records, medical documentation, and other evidence necessary to build a strong case.
References
View All References
