The USS Sea Robin (SS-407) was a diesel-electric submarine of the Balao class that served with distinction during World War II and the early Cold War period. Like numerous submarines constructed during this era, the Sea Robin was built with extensive asbestos-based materials throughout her structure, creating significant health hazards for crew members who subsequently faced the very real risk of developing mesothelioma and other serious medical conditions.
About the USS Sea Robin (SS-407)
Named after a spiny-finned fish known for its distinctive red coloring and unique ability to walk along the ocean floor, this versatile vessel demonstrated exceptional combat effectiveness in the Pacific War and then transitioned to peacetime training and fleet operations.[1]
The Sea Robin was constructed at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in New Hampshire, where her keel was laid in March 1944. The submarine was launched in May of that year, with Mrs. Homer Ambrose, wife of the Navy Yard’s Production Superintendent, serving as sponsor. The vessel was commissioned in August 1944, under the command of Lieutenant Commander Paul C. Stimson.
The Sea Robin featured standard Balao-class specifications, measuring 311 feet and 8 inches in length with a beam of 27 feet and 3 inches and a draft of 15 feet and 3 inches. With a displacement of 1,526 tons surfaced and 2,401 tons submerged, she accommodated a crew of 81 officers and enlisted personnel. The submarine could achieve surface speeds of 20 knots and submerged speeds of 8.75 knots, making her well-suited for both surface transit and underwater combat operations.
Her armament consisted of ten 21-inch torpedo tubes, one 5-inch deck gun, one 40mm anti-aircraft gun, and one 20mm gun, providing comprehensive offensive capabilities against both surface vessels and aircraft targets.
About the Balao-Class Submarines
The Balao-class submarines, including the Sea Robin, marked a major advancement over those in the earlier Gato-class design. Built between 1943 and 1945, they featured strengthened hulls that provided critical advantages in combat, particularly against Japanese depth charge attacks.[2]
The most important change was the increase in hull thickness from 0.5625 to 0.875 inches and switching to high-tensile steel. This raised the crush depth to 900 feet, with an operating depth of 400 feet—far deeper than earlier submarines. The Navy successfully concealed this from Japanese forces, who believed U.S. subs were limited to 250 feet, until a Congressional representative accidentally revealed the truth.
These improvements were achieved without added bulk, as the extra steel replaced Gato-class lead ballast. Later vessels also received quieter, heavy-duty motors that improved reliability and stealth. Safety upgrades included replacing phenolic insulation with melamine, which suppressed fires by releasing inert gas when exposed to heat.[2]
World War II Combat Operations
First War Patrol
After shakedown operations off Portsmouth and New London, Sea Robin transited the Panama Canal in October 1944, narrowly escaping fire from a Scandinavian merchant ship that mistook her for a German U-boat. She avoided damage and continued to Pearl Harbor, then on to the Luzon Strait for her first war patrol. In January 1945, she achieved her first success, sinking a 5,000-ton Japanese tanker. After successfully navigating minefields, the patrol ended uneventfully at Fremantle, Australia.[1]
Second War Patrol
Sea Robin’s second patrol was her most successful. Operating in the Java Sea, she torpedoed an auxiliary anti‐aircraft vessel and rescued three POWs. Days later, she intercepted a heavily defended convoy of two cargo ships, a gunboat, and escorts, sinking the gunboat and evading counterattacks. Sea Robin then circled back and destroyed two other ships. Throughout these victories, she endured 24 hours of depth charge and air pursuit.
Third War Patrol
Sea Robin patrolled near Hainan Island in March, rescuing a downed Allied airman. She then faced six Japanese destroyers whose torpedoes missed her. She later sank two fishing vessels and rescued POWs and survivors from damaged trawlers.
Her final patrol in the Yellow and East China Seas included sinking multiple vessels before being attacked by Japanese aircraft. Two close bomb hits damaged her bow torpedo tubes, causing repeated torpedo malfunctions. Still, she managed to destroy several small trawlers before the war ended.
She earned three battle stars for distinguished service in the Pacific.
Post-War Service and Modernization
South American Operations
Assigned to Submarine Squadron 6 at Balboa, Canal Zone, the Sea Robin began peacetime duties. In 1947, she became the first submarine to circumnavigate South America, rounding Cape Horn during a simulated war patrol. The following year was devoted to training in Balboa and Key West.
GUPPY Conversion and Atlantic Operations
After an overhaul at Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, she joined Submarine Squadron 8 at New London in 1949. In early 1950, she participated in Caribbean Exercise “Portex,” followed later that year by her first Mediterranean deployment with the 6th Fleet. Converted in 1951 to the GUPPY IA configuration, Sea Robin gained improved underwater performance and continued training operations from New London.
Cold War Training and NATO Exercises
Between 1952 and 1954, Sea Robin took part in both cold-weather and tropical exercises, testing equipment and tactics. She conducted Arctic operations in 1954 and Caribbean operations in early 1955. Later that year, she joined NATO Exercise “New Broom IV,” then from 1956 through 1958, she alternated between local duties, special operations, and a Mediterranean deployment.
Final Years of Service
Throughout the 1960s, the Sea Robin remained active in Atlantic and Caribbean waters, supporting anti-submarine training and participating in major exercises, including NATO’s “Master Stroke” and recurring “Springboard” deployments. In 1967, she toured northern Europe with other U.S. submarines, visiting ports in England, France, Ireland, and Scandinavia. After an overhaul in Philadelphia, she resumed duties with Submarine Squadron 2 at New London.
Her final operational years included participation in NATO’s “Steel Ring” in 1970. In August 1970, the Sea Robin made her 12,920th and final dive, concluding over a quarter-century of service.
Decommissioning
The USS Sea Robin was decommissioned and struck from the Navy list in October 1970, then sold for scrap in June 1971.
The Navy and Asbestos
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral with properties that made it seem ideal for maritime applications. As a result, asbestos-containing materials were widely used in naval vessels built across the globe, which faced considerable fire hazards due to fuel storage, ammunition handling, and complex electrical systems. From the early 1900s until the 1970s, when the scientific community made clear that it was carcinogenic, asbestos was used extensively by the United States. The demanding operational environment of naval vessels, and especially submarines, made the mineral especially attractive to shipbuilders and Navy planners who prized it for its exceptional heat resistance, superior fire protection capabilities, outstanding insulation properties, resistance to chemical corrosion, remarkable durability, accessibility, and economic affordability.
How Did the Navy Use Asbestos?
Asbestos was included in a wide range of materials and equipment used aboard naval ships. It was a standard component in insulation, covering pipes, boilers, engines, steam lines, and electrical wiring to guard against heat and fire. Ship construction itself also relied heavily on asbestos, with wall and ceiling panels, deck tiles, gaskets, seals, and valve packing all containing the mineral.
For safety and fire protection, asbestos was woven into protective clothing, blankets, and specialized gear designed to withstand high temperatures. It also lined fireproof storage units and safes, ensuring critical equipment remained protected.
Mechanical and propulsion systems made extensive use of asbestos as well. Turbines, pumps, and motor housings were shielded with asbestos insulation, while heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems included asbestos components to control temperatures. Even brake linings and clutch facings were reinforced with asbestos to enhance durability and resistance to wear.
Submarine-specific Asbestos Hazards
Submarines presented unique operational challenges that resulted in even more extensive asbestos utilization:
Confined Operating Environment: The extremely cramped quarters aboard submarines made any fire or heat-related emergency particularly dangerous, leading to a need for increased reliance on fire-resistant and heat-protective materials throughout the vessel.
Nuclear Propulsion Requirements: The introduction of nuclear power in the 1950s created additional demands for heat-resistant insulation around reactor spaces and steam generation equipment, applications where asbestos was considered indispensable.
Atmospheric Circulation Systems: The limited air supply and closed ventilation systems in submarines meant that any airborne particles, including asbestos fibers, would continue circulating in the breathing environment for extended periods rather than being expelled outside.
Weapons Storage Areas: Submarine torpedo rooms and weapons storage compartments frequently contained asbestos materials in gasket systems, sealing components, and insulation applications.
Medical Risks and Health Implications
When left intact and in good condition, asbestos-containing materials generally present little immediate risk. However, when the material is disturbed, manipulated, damaged, or deteriorated, fibers are released into the air where they can be swallowed or inhaled.
Extensive medical studies have confirmed a direct link between asbestos and several serious diseases. The best known and deadliest is mesothelioma, a rare but highly aggressive cancer that develops in the lining of the lungs, abdomen, or heart. Almost always tied to asbestos exposure, mesothelioma has a long latency period of 20 to 50 years, meaning symptoms often appear only once the disease has advanced to a stage where treatment can do little more than improve quality of life and relieve pain.
Another major concern is lung cancer. The risks posed by asbestos exposure are heightened dramatically for those who also smoked. Asbestosis, a chronic disease caused by scarring of lung tissue from inhaled fibers, leads to ongoing breathing problems and reduced lung capacity.
Additionally, researchers believe there may be links between asbestos exposure and cancers of the throat, reproductive organs, and other parts of the body. There seems to be no limit to the widespread health risks associated with the material.
Assistance and Compensation for USS Sea Robin Veterans
Military veterans, and particularly those who served in the Navy, make up a disproportionate share of America’s mesothelioma victims. Though the prognosis for those diagnosed with the disease is poor, there are many programs available to provide support and compensation for those affected, as well as their family members.
Veterans Affairs (VA) Assistance Programs
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offers wide-ranging support for former service members who were exposed to asbestos during their active duty. These resources and programs are designed to address medical needs as well as the financial challenges that accompany being diagnosed with asbestos-related illnesses.
Disability Compensation
Veterans who’ve been diagnosed with an illness associated with asbestos exposure may be eligible for monthly disability payments. The level of compensation received depends on how severe the illness is and how much it interferes with their everyday life.
Specialized Medical Care
Many of the VA’s hospitals are staffed by physicians who specialize in asbestos-related conditions, including mesothelioma and lung cancer. Veterans have access to cutting-edge therapies and dedicated care teams with expertise in these illnesses. Those whose local VA medical center does not offer treatment for mesothelioma can opt for care outside of the VA system, receiving treatment from some of the nation’s most innovative cancer centers.
Family Services
Eligible veterans and their families can take part in VA support programs, which include counseling, home health assistance, and educational guidance.
To qualify for these services, veterans must demonstrate that their asbestos-related diagnosis is directly connected to their time in the military. Required evidence typically includes:
* Medical confirmation of the disease
* Proof of asbestos exposure during active duty
* A physician’s statement linking the condition to that exposure
Dedicated VA Treatment Facilities
Several VA medical centers maintain departments that focus specifically on asbestos-linked diseases. For example, the Boston VA Medical Center is known for its advanced mesothelioma program, while the Los Angeles VA Medical Center has physicians with extensive expertise in treating asbestos-related conditions. Most major VA hospitals also feature oncology and pulmonary departments experienced in handling these illnesses.
Legal Compensation Opportunities
Beyond VA benefits, veterans who served aboard ships such as the USS Sea Robin can opt to pursue compensation through civil litigation or other channels that have been set up following legal action.
Civil Litigation
Veterans can pursue lawsuits against companies that manufactured or supplied asbestos products used in naval vessels. These claims are directed at private corporations rather than the federal government, which is protected from being sued. Surviving families may also file wrongful death actions when a veteran passes away from an asbestos-related illness.
Asbestos Trust Funds
Many manufacturers whose asbestos liabilities led to their filing for bankruptcy were required to create special trust funds dedicated specifically to compensate victims, past, present, and future. Though these funds generally offer less compensation than what a positive jury verdict can deliver, they allow qualified veterans to get significant payments without having to endure lengthy court battles.
Asbestos Attorneys Provide Comprehensive Assistance
Asbestos cases involve detailed investigation and documentation of service and exposure histories, so working with attorneys who specialize in this complex type of litigation is essential. Mesothelioma lawyers have extensive resources and deep knowledge that help them identify all the companies responsible for your illness, gather supporting witnesses and testimony, and handle the legal process to maximize compensation with minimal burden on veterans and their families.
Key evidence for building a strong claim includes:
* Complete naval service records and ship assignments
* Documentation of job duties, locations, and exposure circumstances
* Accounts from shipmates who witnessed asbestos use
* Thorough medical records confirming diagnosis and treatment
Starting the legal process as soon as possible after diagnosis is critical. Every state enforces a statute of limitations that establishes a deadline for filing claims. An experienced attorney will guide you and your family through the process, protect your legal rights, and pursue the compensation and justice you deserve.
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