List of U.S. Navy Ships with Asbestos

At a Glance: Navy Ships and Asbestos Exposure

Before we examine specific ships, here are the essential facts about asbestos exposure in the U.S. Navy:

• Over 3,300 Navy ships built between 1930 and the early 1980s contained asbestos materials
• Navy veterans face more than double the expected mesothelioma mortality rate compared to civilians, according to research published in the International Journal of Radiation Biology
• High-risk Navy jobs (machinist’s mates, boiler technicians, pipefitters) faced exposure rates over six times higher than the general population, based on a 2019 study of 114,000 Navy veterans
• Every ship commissioned between 1930-1970 contained several tons of asbestos insulation
• Submarines posed the highest risk due to confined spaces and recirculated air spreading asbestos fibers
• 20-50 years typically pass between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma diagnosis, according to medical research
• Multiple compensation sources are available: VA benefits, lawsuits against manufacturers, and asbestos trust funds
• No statute of limitations applies to VA disability claims for asbestos-related diseases

Why Navy Ships Contained Asbestos

The U.S. Navy became one of the largest consumers of asbestos by the early 1900s, and asbestos use in naval vessels became standard practice by the late 1930s. The mineral’s unique properties made it seem ideal for maritime applications.

Asbestos is naturally fire-resistant, provides excellent insulation, and withstands extreme temperatures and corrosion. For ships where engine rooms reached scorching temperatures and fire posed a constant threat, these characteristics appeared invaluable. Large battleships like the Iowa-class vessels contained hundreds of tons of asbestos insulation in their boiler rooms, engine spaces, and throughout the ship, while even smaller destroyers contained dozens of tons of asbestos materials.

Hundreds of different asbestos-containing products were used throughout naval vessels. Pipe insulation, gaskets, boiler linings, deck tiles, electrical components, and countless other parts contained asbestos fibers. The Navy used asbestos in engine rooms, boiler rooms, pump rooms, mess halls, sleeping quarters, and virtually every other space on board.

The Navy knew about the dangers early on. Despite a 1939 Navy Surgeon General report identifying asbestos hazards at Navy shipyards, protective measures were not widely implemented for decades. Sailors worked without respirators, and historical accounts from World War II-era shipyard workers describe working in clouds of asbestos dust with no respiratory protection.

The U.S. Navy began phasing out asbestos in new ship construction in the early 1970s, though existing vessels continued to contain asbestos materials for years. Ships constructed before the mid-1980s likely contained some asbestos materials, as the complete phase-out occurred gradually over more than a decade. For decades, the military prioritized performance over safety, and Navy veterans paid the price.

Comprehensive List of U.S. Navy Ships with Asbestos

The following sections identify Navy ships known to contain asbestos, organized by vessel type. This list focuses on the most well-documented vessels, though nearly all ships built during the identified time periods contained asbestos materials.

Aircraft Carriers

Aircraft carriers represented some of the Navy’s largest vessels and contained massive amounts of asbestos throughout their structures. Nearly every carrier commissioned between 1930 and 1980 exposed crews to asbestos.