The USS Thorn was a destroyer that served the United States Navy from 1980 to 2004. As the twenty-sixth ship of the Spruance Class destroyer program, she was built during the time that, despite growing awareness of its dangers, asbestos remained a standard component of naval shipbuilding. Throughout her career, the ship’s crew and any maintenance personnel assigned to upgrades and repairs faced significant exposure to this hazardous material, leading to many veterans being at risk for developing serious respiratory diseases, including mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis.
About the USS Thorn
The Ship’s Namesake
The USS Thorn was named to honor the memory of Lieutenant Jonathan Thorn. Born in 1779, Thorn became a midshipman in the year 1800, then distinguished himself during the Tripolitan War by volunteering for and successfully completing a mission to destroy a captured frigate in Tripoli harbor. He later participated in the attack on Tripoli and earned special commendation.[1]
He was promoted to lieutenant in 1807 and, at 27 years old, became the first commandant of the New York Navy Yard. In 1810, he took a two-year furlough to command a trading voyage to the Pacific Northwest, but after sailing around Cape Horn through the Hawaiian Islands, he engaged with local Indians. A violent confrontation over what the Indians believed was unfair trading resulted in the massacre of Thorn and his entire crew.
Construction of the USS Thorn
The USS Thorn (DD-988) was built by Ingalls Shipbuilding at their Pascagoula, Mississippi facility. Her keel was laid in August 1977, and she was launched in February 1979, with Mrs. Patricia Palmer Ansley serving as sponsor. The ship was commissioned in February 1980.[2]
Like all Spruance-class destroyers, the Thorn was a multi-mission ship able to operate alone or as part of large carrier task forces. She measured 563 feet long with a beam of 55 feet and a draft of 19 feet, and displaced 7,600 tons when fully loaded. The ship’s four General Electric marine gas turbine engines produced more than 80,000 horsepower, powering her to speeds of more than 30 knots. Twin controllable reversible pitch propellers provided exceptional maneuverability, while advanced computer systems allowed the engineering plant to become fully operational within minutes.[3]
While all the technology installed on the USS Thorn was cutting-edge, it was insulated and fortified with the same asbestos-containing materials that had been standard in naval construction for decades. The Navy’s continued use of these hazardous materials through the late 1970s meant that her crew was exposed to the carcinogenic mineral, even as the world was learning of its toxicity.
The Ship’s Capabilities
The USS Thorn was primarily designed for antisubmarine warfare. She was equipped with some of the most advanced underwater detection and fire control systems ever developed, and her armament included two three-tubed surface ship torpedo launchers and the ability to carry two LAMPS MK III helicopters. The ship also carried an advanced sonar system that was directly linked to its computers to allow accurate processing of information about its targets.
The ship was also armed with two 5-inch 54 MK 45 lightweight gun mounts, eight Harpoon anti-ship cruise missiles, and a Vertical Launch Missile System capable of holding sixty-one Tomahawk cruise missiles. For defensive purposes, she was equipped with the NATO Seasparrow Surface Missile System and two Vulcan Phalanx Close-in Weapon Systems.[2]
Notable Operations and Missions
The USS Thorn participated in several significant operations and deployments throughout her career. In 1997, she completed a six-month deployment to the Arabian Gulf, enforcing United Nations sanctions against Iraq while participating in bilateral and multinational exercises with the navies of Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and England. In 1998, the ship earned all four Command Excellence Awards, and the following year, she deployed as part of the USS Enterprise Battle Group and served as the flagship for Commander, Standing Naval Forces Mediterranean.
In 2001, the ship’s crew engaged in a unique humanitarian mission when the ship’s helicopter crew spotted turtles tangled in fishing nets. The Thorn launched its seven-crewmen Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat to assist, and though three turtles had already died, the crew successfully freed the fourth and returned it safely to the water.
The USS Thorn’s final major deployment occurred from November 2003 to May 2004, when she left Norfolk along with the USS Cole and USS Gonzalez to serve as a Surface Strike Group in the Mediterranean. In August, the ship was decommissioned and she was sunk as a test/target in July 2006 off the East Coast of the United States.
Why the Navy Continued Using Asbestos in Military Vessels
Even as evidence mounted of the health dangers posed by asbestos, the United States Navy’s persistent use of asbestos in its ships extended well into the 1970s. The military’s reliance on the material followed decades of trusting its unique properties to protect naval assets and personnel. The military administration considered asbestos irreplaceable for maritime applications because of its resistance to fire, superior thermal insulation, and strength. They were also influenced by practical and economic considerations: government procurement systems had been built around the materials for nearly half a century, creating extensive supply chains, standardized specifications, and supplier relationships that would have been costly, time-consuming, and cumbersome to replace. Naval engineers were also concerned that alternative materials wouldn’t perform as well in the conditions common to warships, especially in the areas that were exposed to constant, intense heat from engines and propulsion systems.
The conservative, cautious approach that the Navy took to adopting new materials delayed the transition away from asbestos even as civilian industries began abandoning its use. It likely led to many Navy veterans being needlessly exposed to the toxic material.
Asbestos Distribution Throughout the USS Thorn
The asbestos materials on the Thorn were integrated into virtually every system and compartment aboard the ship. The greatest concentration of the mineral was found in the engineering spaces, where the ship’s four powerful General Electric turbine engines required extensive thermal protection. These areas also included the main engine rooms, auxiliary machinery spaces, and electrical equipment compartments, all of which were fortified with thick layers of asbestos insulation surrounding pipes, conduits, and machinery components.
The ship’s sophisticated weapons systems also needed the protection of asbestos, especially in the areas where the Vertical Launch Missile System and the various radar and fire control equipment were located. Overheating of sensitive electronic components in the Thorn’s advanced computer systems, which controlled navigation, propulsion, and weapons targeting, was prevented by the presence of asbestos-containing materials, too. Even the vessel’s safety equipment, including firefighting gear, damage control materials, and protective clothing, contained asbestos fibers intended to protect against heat and flames, ironically creating additional exposure risks for the crew.
Perhaps most concerning, the crew’s living and sleeping quarters contained asbestos in floor and ceiling tiles, bulkhead panels, and various structural elements, as did the ship’s galley. This meant that even while eating and sleeping, sailors were at risk of asbestos exposure.
How USS Thorn Personnel Were Exposed to Asbestos
The environment onboard the USS Thorn was extremely cramped, and this exacerbated the effects of the asbestos that floated throughout the ship. The tight quarters made it practically inevitable that all crew members would breathe or swallow quantities of asbestos fibers during their service on the ship: The ship’s normal operations, including constant vibration from its gas turbine engines, weapons firing, and routine ship movements, all caused asbestos-containing materials to deteriorate, releasing microscopic fibers into the air.
Maintenance and repair work was another way that asbestos onboard the Thorn was disturbed. The ship’s sophisticated systems required constant attention and upkeep, and this involved handling, cutting, cleaning, or removing asbestos-containing components. The clouds of asbestos dust these activities created could remain airborne for hours, being inhaled and coming to rest on sailors’ hair, skin, and clothing, where it would be carried throughout the ship. The result was widespread contamination that affected even those who did not work directly with or near the toxic mineral.
The ship’s ventilation systems inadvertently served as another asbestos distribution vehicle, exposing crew members in areas far away from their original location. The nature of shipboard life, with its shared sleeping, dining, and work areas, meant that virtually every person aboard the Thorn encountered asbestos particles during their service.
USS Thorn Personnel at Highest Risk for Asbestos Exposure
While everyone who served aboard or worked on the USS Thorn faced some degree of asbestos exposure, some unfortunate crew members encountered significantly elevated risks based on their specific duties and work environments. Engineering personnel who maintained and operated the ship’s four gas turbine engines faced the highest exposure levels, as these spaces contained the greatest concentrations of asbestos insulation and required the most frequent and intensive attention. Technicians regularly worked with asbestos-containing components during routine maintenance, system upgrades, and emergency repairs, exacerbated by the confined spaces with limited ventilation in which they worked.
Shipyard personnel who worked on the vessel’s original construction, major overhauls, and system modifications also faced constant exposure risks. These workers were involved in extensive cutting, welding, removal, and installation of asbestos-containing materials, and the same was true of hull maintenance technicians, damage control specialists, and firefighting personnel. These personnel not only handled asbestos-containing equipment but were also called on to situations where the materials had been damaged or disturbed, creating even greater exposure risks.
The Long-Term Health Consequences of Asbestos Exposure
The primary health conditions linked to asbestos exposure include malignant mesothelioma, an aggressive cancer affecting the protective linings of the lungs, abdomen, or heart; lung cancer; and asbestosis, a progressive scarring of lung tissue that causes severe breathing difficulties. These diseases are particularly insidious because they often produce no symptoms until they have reached advanced stages, making early detection and treatment challenging.
The severity of asbestos-related diseases often correlates with the duration and intensity of exposure, but medical experts emphasize that even relatively brief contact with asbestos fibers can result in serious health complications. Of all the potential risks that come from asbestos exposure, pleural mesothelioma is the most dangerous of all. It develops at a cellular level and remains hidden for decades until tumors finally grow large enough to cause symptoms. By the time the disease is diagnosed, it is often too late to treat effectively.
The Critical Importance of Disclosure to Healthcare Providers
Because asbestos-related diseases have extremely long latency periods of 20 to 50 years, veterans who served aboard the USS Thorn in the years after it was first commissioned in 1980 may only now be experiencing the health consequences of exposure that occurred during their naval service. Those who served more recently may not see symptoms for years.
Regardless of how they feel today, veterans who served aboard the USS Thorn should inform their healthcare providers about their history of asbestos exposure. Based on this information, physicians can put appropriate screening protocols in place and familiarize themselves and you with the symptoms and treatments for this extremely rare form of cancer. With this education, you’ll both have a heightened awareness that will let you react quickly to worrying symptoms, including persistent coughing, chest discomfort, breathing difficulties, unexplained weight loss, and abdominal swelling. Screening and early detection significantly improve outcomes and can potentially extend survival for patients diagnosed with these conditions.
Another good reason for letting your physician know about your exposure history is that it will help when it comes to producing medical documentation in support of claims for benefits or compensation. Having a record of your concerns about previous exposure creates an important paper trail that will be essential evidence for both VA disability benefit applications and legal proceedings.
Department of Veterans Affairs Support for Affected Veterans
Veterans who served aboard the USS Thorn and who have been diagnosed with asbestos-related diseaseshave access to comprehensive support through the Department of Veterans Affairs. The VA recognizes mesothelioma as a condition that creates significant costs and merits a 100% disability rating. This will ensure that veterans who can demonstrate service-connected exposure receive maximum disability benefits and priority access to medical care.
The VA benefits system provides monthly compensation payments, comprehensive medical treatment through specialized VA healthcare facilities, and access to cutting-edge care. When your medical needs can’t be met at local VA facilities, the department authorizes treatment at leading cancer centers and research hospitals, ensuring veterans receive the highest quality care available.
Beyond medical benefits, the VA provides additional support services, including comprehensive survivor benefits for family members. The department’s recognition of the widespread nature of military asbestos exposure has led to streamlined processes for establishing service connection, helping ensure that veterans receive timely access to the care and support they’ve earned through their military service.
Legal Advocacy and Compensation Options
One of the most important things a veteran diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases can do is to contact an experienced mesothelioma attorney who specializes in military asbestos exposure cases. These attorneys possess deep background knowledge about the unique challenges facing veterans. They can assist with both VA disability claims and civilian legal proceedings. Their guidance and expertise are crucial to understanding your options and navigating the complex requirements involved in establishing service connection and maximizing available benefits.
Asbestos Trust Funds and Litigation Options
Asbestos attorneys can also help veterans identify and access monies held in asbestos trust funds established by bankrupt companies that manufactured the contaminated products that caused your illness. These trust funds provide a streamlined compensation process that typically resolves more quickly than traditional litigation while still providing substantial financial recovery.
Additionally, you can take legal action against the manufacturers and suppliers who provided the asbestos-containing materials used in the USS Grant. An attorney specializing in asbestos litigation has access to extensive databases documenting which companies supplied materials to specific naval vessels and installations and the details of legal claims previously filed against them. These invaluable resources help them identify all potentially liable parties and optimize compensation for their clients.
References
View All References
