Over 300 products containing asbestos, a cancer-causing material, were used on U.S. Navy ships built between the 1930s and early 1980s. U.S. veterans who served on these ships may be at risk of a cancer called mesothelioma today. View our full list of Navy ships with asbestos and see if we can help you or a loved one get treatments and compensation.
Risks of Mesothelioma and Navy Ships
Service members were often exposed to asbestos on U.S. Navy ships. Starting in the 1930s, the Navy required all ships to use products containing asbestos. This mineral was water resistant, fireproof, and cheap to purchase.
Virtually all U.S. Navy ships used asbestos products until the early 1980s. The full list includes thousands of ships, like aircraft carriers, destroyers, submarines, and more.
Navy service members didn't know that asbestos exposure could cause deadly cancers like mesothelioma 10-50 years later since manufacturers hid the risks.
Due to the widespread use of asbestos on U.S. Navy ships, 33% of all mesothelioma patients today are Navy veterans or former shipyard workers.
Veterans with mesothelioma from asbestos on ships may qualify for benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and compensation to cover expenses.
Find out if a Navy ship you served on used asbestos and learn how to access top veterans resources with our Navy Ships Database.
- Type of Ship:
- Asbestos Used: Yes
Learn more about asbestos on Navy ships with a Free Veterans Packet
Get a Free Veterans PacketList of U.S. Navy Ships With Asbestos
Due to government regulations, asbestos-based products were used on all U.S. Navy vessels between the 1930s and early 1980s.
Explore our list of U.S. Navy ships with asbestos by clicking on the type of vessel below.
- Aircraft carriers
- Amphibious ships
- Auxiliary ships
- Battleships
- Cruisers
- Cutters
- Destroyers
- Destroyer escorts
- Escort carriers
- Frigates
- Merchant marine ships
- Minesweepers
- Patrol boats
- Submarines
Video Summary: U.S. Navy veterans are at a high risk of mesothelioma due to the use of asbestos on Navy ships. The Mesothelioma Veterans Center can help affected veterans and families pursue benefits, medical care, and financial aid if eligible. View Transcript
Military members who served between the 1930s and 1980s were very likely exposed to asbestos, particularly in the Navy, because asbestos was used throughout the ships to insulate pipes and insulate their boiler systems.
And being that you were a sailor on a ship, you would've likely been on ship for months at any given time. And that's why we see the highest rate of mesothelioma cases in Navy veterans.
Veterans diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases are entitled to several different types of benefits from the VA, to include disability benefits, [and] health care benefits. There are even survivor benefits for those with asbestos-related diseases.
If a veteran believes they were exposed to asbestos while serving in the military, we encourage them to call the Mesothelioma Veterans Center so that we can work together to help them file for VA benefits.
Asbestos on Aircraft Carriers
Aircraft carriers are some of the biggest warships ever built. About 60 U.S. Navy aircraft carriers are known to have contained asbestos.
Aircraft carriers that used asbestos included:
- USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72)
- USS Antietam (CV-36)
- USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24)
- USS Bon Homme Richard (CV-31)
- USS Bunker Hill (CV-17)
- USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70)
- USS Coral Sea (CVB-43)
- USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69)
- USS Enterprise (CVN-65)
- USS Forrestal (CV-59)
- USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVB-42)
- USS Hornet (CV-8)
- USS Independence (CVL-22)
- USS Intrepid (CV-11)
- USS Kearsarge (CV-33)
- USS Lake Champlain (CV-39)
- USS Langley (CVL-27)
- USS Lexington (CV-16)
- USS Midway (CVB-41)
- USS Nimitz (CVN-68)
- USS Philippine Sea (CV-47)
- USS Princeton (CV-37)
- USS Ranger (CV-4)
- USS Reprisal (CV-35)
- USS San Jacinto (CVL-30)
- USS Saratoga (CV-60)
- USS Tarawa (CV-40)
- USS Ticonderoga (CV-14)
- USS Wasp (CV-7)
- USS Yorktown (CV-5)
You may qualify for mesothelioma VA benefits, free treatments, and compensation if you were exposed to asbestos on Navy ships like aircraft carriers. Get our Free Veterans Packet now to learn more.
Asbestos on Amphibious Warships
Amphibious warships helped transport service members and supplies. Over 400 of these warships had asbestos-containing products aboard.
Amphibious warships that used asbestos included:
- USS Accomac
- USS Anchorage
- USS Block Island
- USS Chara
- USS Crescent City
- USS Dent
- USS El Paso
- USS Estes
- USS Freestone
- USS Gallatin
- USS Hubbard
- USS Ira Jeffery
- USS Jenks
- USS Julius A. Raven
- USS Knox
- USS Lacerta
- USS Lenawee
- USS McFarland
- USS Mercer
- USS Navarro
- USS Okanogan
- USS Overton
- USS Panamint
- USS Pondera
- USS Queens
- USS Randall
- USS Seminole
- USS Taconic
- USS Valeria
- USS Virgo
- USS Weiss
- USS Yancey
Asbestos on Auxiliary Ships
U.S. Navy auxiliary ships gave other military vessels supplies and resources, and many were built with asbestos-based products.
Auxiliary ships that used asbestos included:
- USS Ajax (AR-6)
- USS Alacrity (AG-520)
- USS Amphion (AR-13)
- USNS Apache (ATF-172)
- USS Assurance (AG-521)
- USS Briareus (AR-12)
- USS Cheyenne (AG-174)
- USS Cornhusker State (ACS-6)
- USS Delta (AR-9)
- USS Flint (AE-32)
- USS Flyer (AG-178)
- USS Fomalhaut (AE-20)
- USS Gem State (ACS-2)
- USNS Glomar Explorer (AG-193)
- USS Gopher State (ACS-4)
- USS Grand Canyon (AR-28)
- USS Grand Canyon State (ACS-3)
- USNS Hayes (AG-195)
- USS Jason (AR-8)
- USNS Kingsport (AG-164)
- USS Markab (AR-23)
- USS Monob One (YAG-61)
- USNS Provo (AG-173)
- USS Saluda (YAG-87)
- USS Sequoia (AG-23)
- USNS S.P. Lee (AG-192)
- USNS Spokane (AG-191)
- USS Wyoming (AG-17)
Contact us now if you or a loved one was exposed to asbestos on Navy ships. We may be able to help you pursue VA benefits and other helpful resources.
Asbestos on Battleships
Battleships were used up through World War II as one of the Navy’s key vessels. Asbestos was heavily used aboard them.
Battleships that used asbestos include:
- USS Alabama (BB-60)
- USS Arizona (BB-39)
- USS Arkansas (BB-33)
- USS California (BB-44)
- USS Colorado (BB-45)
- USS Indiana (BB-58)
- USS Iowa (BB-61)
- USS Maryland (BB-46)
- USS Massachusetts (BB-59)
- USS Missouri (BB-63)
- USS Nevada (BB-36)
- USS New Hampshire (BB-70)
- USS New Jersey (BB-62)
- USS North Carolina (BB-55)
- USS Pennsylvania (BB-38)
- USS South Dakota (BB-57)
- USS Washington (BB-56)
- USS Wisconsin (BB-64)
Asbestos on Cruisers
Cruisers help protect other vessels from enemy ships or planes. Over 100 cruisers may have put U.S. Navy sailors in danger as they were built with asbestos-containing materials.
Cruisers built with asbestos products include:
- USS Alaska
- USS Amsterdam
- USS Astoria
- USS Augusta
- USS Baltimore
- USS Biddle
- USS Birmingham
- USS Brooklyn
- USS Bunker Hill
- USS Canberra
- USS Chicago
- USS Cleveland
- USS Dale
- USS Duluth
- USS Flint
- USS Galveston
- USS Guam
- USS Harry E. Yarnell
- USS Huntington
- USS Josephus Daniels
- USS Jouett
- USS Little Rock
- USS Los Angeles
- USS Marblehead
- USS Minneapolis
- USS Missoula
- USS Montana
- USS Nashville
- USS Oregon City
- USS Providence
- USS Reeves
- USS Savannah
- USS South Carolina
- USS Springfield
- USS Tallahassee
- USS Trenton
- USS Valley Forge
- USS Vicksburg
- USS Virginia
- USS William H. Standley
Asbestos on Cutters
Cutters are the main type of ship used by the U.S. Coast Guard for missions.
Over 70 Coast Guard cutters contained asbestos, including:
- USCGC Absecon (WHEC-374)
- USCGC Acushnet (WMEC-167)
- USCGC Androscoggin (WHEC-68)
- USCGC Bering Strait (WHEC-382)
- USCGC Bibb (WPG-31)
- USCGC Boutwell (WHEC-719)
- USCGC Campbell (WPG-32)
- USCGC Castle Rock (WHEC-383)
- USCGC Chautauqua (WHEC-41)
- USCGC Confidence (WMEC-619)
- USCGC Cook Inlet (WHEC-384)
- USCGC Courageous (WMEC-622)
- USCGC Dauntless (WMEC-624)
- USCGC Dependable (WMEC-626)
- USCGC Diligence (WMEC-616)
- USCGC Durable (WMEC-628)
- USCGC Escape (WMEC-6)
- USCGC Gresham (WHEC-387)
- USCGC Half Moon (WHEC-378)
- USCGC Hamilton (WPG-34)
- USCGC Ingham (WPG-35)
- USCGC Jarvis (WHEC-725)
- USCGC McCulloch (WHEC-386)
- USCGC Mendota (WHEC-69)
- USCGC Minnetonka (WHEC-67)
- USCGC Mojave (WPG-47)
- USCGC Resolute (WMEC-620)
- USCGC Rush (WHEC-723)
- USCGC Sherman (WHEC-720)
- USCGC Steadfast (WMEC-623)
- USCGC Valiant (WMEC-621)
- USCGC Venturous (WMEC-625)
- USCGC Vigorous (WMEC-627)
- USCGC Yakutat (WHEC-380)
Asbestos on Destroyers
Destroyers allowed the U.S. Navy to combat enemy ships and planes. Over 900 U.S. Navy destroyers were built with asbestos.
These include:
- USS Abel P. Upshur (DD-193)
- USS Arnold J. Isbell (DD-869)
- USS Basilone (DD-824)
- USS Billingsley (DD-293)
- USS Burrows (DD-29)
- USS Cassin Young (DD-793)
- USS Damato (DD-871)
- USS Earle (DD-635)
- USS Ernest G. Small (DD-838)
- USS Everett F. Larson (DD-830)
- USS Farragut (DD-300)
- USS Fife (DD-991)
- USS Forrest (DD-461)
- USS Grayson (DD-435)
- USS Helm (DD-388)
- USS Izard (DD-589)
- USS John A. Bole (DD-755)
- USS Kane (DD-235)
- USS Killen (DD-593)
- USS Knight (DD-633)
- USS MacLeish (DD-220)
- USS Mayo (DD-422)
- USS Nelson (DD-623)
- USS Norman Scott (DD-690)
- USS Oldendorf (DD-972)
- USS Palmer (DD-161)
- USS Paulding (DD-22)
- USS Pope (DD-225)
- USS Remey (DD-688)
- USS Sands (DD-243)
- USS Shannon (DD-737)
- USS Simpson (DD-221)
- USS Stickell (DD-888)
- USS Tattnall (DD-125)
- USS Uhlmann (DD-687)
- USS Waldron (DD-699)
- USS Witek (DD-848)
- USS Yarborough (DD-314)
If you were exposed to asbestos on Navy ships and now have mesothelioma, you may qualify for VA benefits and compensation. Get a Free Veterans Packet to learn more.
Asbestos on Destroyer Escorts
Destroyer escorts were a key part of the U.S. Navy fleet during World War II, fighting submarines, aircraft carriers, and other vessels. More than 500 destroyer escorts were built with asbestos products.
Destroyer escorts known to have contained asbestos include:
- USS Alger (DE 101)
- USS Amesbury (DE 66)
- USS Austin (DE 15)
- USS Barber (DE 161)
- USS Baron (DE 166)
- USS Bowen (DE 1079)
- USS Chambers (DE 391)
- USS Cockrill (DE 398)
- USS Crouter (DE 11)
- USS Daniel (DE 335)
- USS DeLong (DE 684)
- USS Dionne (DE 261)
- USS Donnell (DE 56)
- USS Edsall (DE 129)
- USS Eisele (DE 34)
- USS Evarts (DE 5)
- USS Finch (DE 328)
- USS French (DE 367)
- USS Garcia (DE 1040)
- USS Jobb (DE 707)
- USS Lockwood (DE 1064)
- USS Marsh (DE 699)
- USS McAnn (DE 73)
- USS Moore (DE 240)
- USS Oswald (DE 71)
- USS Slater (DE 766)
Asbestos on Escort Carriers
U.S. Navy escort carriers were similar to aircraft carriers, but typically smaller and converted from merchant vessels.
Dozens of escort carriers used asbestos, including:
- USS Admiralty Islands
- USS Baffins
- USS Bismarck Sea
- USS Bougainville
- USS Breton
- USS Chenango
- USS Commencement Bay
- USS Delgada
- USS Didrickson Bay/Tripoli
- USS Edisto
- USS Fanshaw Bay
- USS Gambier Bay
- USS Guadalcanal
- USS Hamlin
- USS Jamaica
- USS Kadashan Bay
- USS Liscome Bay
- USS Long Island
- USS Makassar Strait
- USS Makin Island
- USS Manila Bay
- USS Mission Bay
- USS Munda
- USS Nassau
- USS Niantic
- USS Ommaney Bay
- USS Palau
- USS Prince
- USS Prince William
- USS Pybus
- USS Rudyerd Bay
- USS Siboney
- USS Sicily
- USS Sitkoh Bay
- USS St. Simon
- USS Steamer Bay
- USS Sunset
- USS Suwannee
- USS Thetis Bay
- USS Tinian
- USS Tulagi
- USS Wake Island
- USS White Plains
- USS Willapa
Asbestos on Frigates
U.S. Navy frigates were often used as escort ships or as part of an auxiliary fleet.
Over 100 frigates contained asbestos, including:
- USS Ainsworth (FFT-1090)
- USS Brewton (FF-1086)
- USS Bronstein (FF-1037)
- USS Brooke (FFG-1)
- USS Clifton Sprague (FFG-16)
- USS Connole (FF-1056)
- USS Cook (FF-1083)
- USS Copeland (FFG-25)
- USS Crommelin (FFG-37)
- USS Duncan (FFG-10)
- USS Edward McDonnell (FF-1043)
- USS Francis Hammond (FF-1067)
- USS Gallery (FFG-26)
- USS George Philip (FFG-12)
- USS Gray (FF-1054)
- USS Halyburton (FFG-40)
- USS Jarrett (FFG-33)
- USS Jesse L. Brown (FFT-1089)
- USS Joseph Hewes (FFT-1078)
- USS Kirk (FF-1087)
- USS Knox (FF-1052)
- USS Koelsch (FF-1049)
- USS Mahlon S. Tisdale (FFG-27)
- USS McClusky (FFG-41)
- USS O’Callahan (FF-1051)
- USS Oliver Hazard Perry (FFG-7)
- USS Paul (FF-1080)
- USS Pharris (FF-1094)
- USS Ramsey (FFG-2)
- USS Rentz (FFG-46)
- USS Richard L. Page (FFG-5)
- USS Schofield (FFG-3)
- USS Stein (FF-1065)
- USS Stephen W. Groves (FFG-29)
- USS Talbot (FFG-4)
- USS Taylor (FFG-50)
- USS Thach (FFG-43)
- USS Underwood (FFG-36)
- USS Voge (FF-1047)
- USS Whipple (FF-1062)
Call (877) 450-8973 now to see if we can help you receive VA benefits and other top resources if you developed mesothelioma from Navy ships.
Asbestos on Merchant Marine Ships
Asbestos was used on merchant marine ships, which carried supplies and helped move Navy service members during wartime.
Merchant marine vessels that had asbestos aboard included:
- S.S. Alcoa Cavalier
- S.S. Bay State
- S.S. Berkeley Victory
- S.S. Blue Grass State
- S.S. Borinquen
- S.S. Buckeye State
- S.S. Burco Trader
- S.S. C.H.M. Jones
- S.S. Cilco Logger
- S.S. Del Mar
- S.S. E.J. Block
- S.S. Elizabeth W. Moran
- S.S. Empire State
- S.S. Evergreen State
- S.S. Excalibur
- S.S. Gopher State
- S.S. Keystone State
- S.S. Little Butte
- S.S. Mormacsea
- S.S. Pacific Victory
- S.S. Pan Massachusetts
- S.S. Pine Tree State
- S.S. President Cleveland
- S.S. Robin Gray
- S.S. Samuel Chase
- S.S. Sheldon Clark
- S.S. Simon Benson
- S.S. Socony 10
- S.S. Spencer Kellogg
- S.S. Steel Traveler
- S.S. Stonewall Jackson
- S.S. Thomas H. Barry
- S.S. Thomas Lynch
- S.S. Thomas Nelson
- S.S. Tydol Bayonne
- S.S. Uruguay
- S.S. William Hooper
- S.S. William J. Bryan
- S.S. William Mulholland
- S.S. Wilson B. Keene
Asbestos on Minesweepers
Minesweepers kept the seas clear of mines so that other vessels could sail safely. Hundreds of U.S. Navy minesweepers relied on asbestos, which put those aboard in danger of mesothelioma.
U.S. Navy minesweepers built with asbestos include:
- USS Ability
- USS Advance
- USS Barrier
- USS Bold
- USS Bullfinch
- USS Candid
- USS Defense
- USS Devastator
- USS Energy
- USS Excel
- USS Force
- USS Gallant
- USS Goldfinch
- USS Harlequin
- USS Hilarity
- USS Implicit
- USS Indicative
- USS Jubilant
- USS Knave
- USS Lapwing
- USS Mainstay
- USS Minivet
- USS Nimble
- USS Nuthatch
- USS Oriole
- USS Owl
- USS Phantom
- USS Quail
- USS Quest
- USS Redwing
- USS Ruddy
- USS Sandpiper
- USS Seagull
- USS Tanager
- USS Triumph
- USS Valor
- USS Velocity
- USS Waxwing
- USS Widgeon
- USS Zea
Asbestos on Patrol Boats
The U.S. Navy used patrol boats to secure waterways. Many of these vessels had asbestos-containing materials aboard.
Patrol boats that relied on asbestos included:
- USS Antelope (PG-86)
- USS Asheville (PG-84)
- USS Beacon (PG-99)
- USS Canon (PG-90)
- USS Douglas (PG-100)
- USS Gallup (PG-85)
- USS Grand Rapids (PGM-98)
- USS Pegasus (PHM-1)
- USS Surprise (PG-97)
- USS Susanville (PC-1149)
- USS Tacoma (PG-92)
- USS Tucumcari (PGH-2)
Asbestos on Submarines
U.S. Navy submarines were often small and cramped, making it easy for sailors to inhale or swallow stray asbestos fibers that may have lingered in the air.
Almost 400 submarines are known to have used asbestos, including:
- USS Albacore (AGSS-569)
- USS Balao (SS-285)
- USS Bang (SS-385)
- USS Dace (SS-247)
- USS Gato (SS-212)
- USS Harder (SS-568)
- USS Mackerel (SST-1)
- USS Nathan Hale (SSBN-623)
- USS Sea Dog (AGSS-401)
- USS Tench (SS-417)
Other Asbestos Navy Ships
Thousands of U.S. Navy ships not listed above used asbestos before the early 1980s.
Anyone who worked, served, or lived on U.S. Naval vessels built with asbestos could be at risk of mesothelioma today since this cancer takes decades to form after exposure.
Products Made With Asbestos on Navy Ships
Hundreds of asbestos-containing products were used to insulate Navy ships and protect them from fire and salt water.
Asbestos-based products used on Navy ships included:
- Adhesives
- Cables
- Caulk
- Electrical wiring
- Floor tiles
- Gaskets and valves
- Insulation
- Packing
- Paneling
- Piping
- Thermal materials
- Tubing
“Asbestos was used throughout Navy ships to insulate pipes and insulate their boiler systems.”
— Eric Hall, VA-Accredited Attorney & U.S. Marine Corps Veteran
Asbestos fibers could have been released into the air whenever Navy personnel installed, removed, or repaired these products. Breathing in or swallowing the fibers can cause veterans to develop mesothelioma 10-50 years later.
Where Was Asbestos Used on Navy Ships?
Asbestos-based products were used throughout Navy and Coast Guard ships. For example, many vessels had miles of asbestos-containing insulation and wires.
Areas of ships that used many asbestos products included:
- Boiler rooms
- Engine rooms
- Navigation rooms
In places with poor ventilation like engine or boiler rooms, stray asbestos fibers could stay in the air for hours. This put Navy and Coast Guard veterans working in these areas at a higher risk of exposure and mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis later in life.
If you have mesothelioma from asbestos ships, you may qualify for military, medical, and financial aid. Get started now with our Free Veterans Packet.
High-Risk Asbestos Jobs on U.S. Navy Ships
Certain jobs put service members in contact with asbestos on Navy ships daily. According to the VA, all jobs listed below had a “probable” or “highly probable” risk of asbestos exposure.
- Boiler technicians: Boiler technicians or tenders worked on Navy ship boilers. Before the 1980s, many boilers used asbestos-based insulation and gaskets. Navy boilermakers often wore gloves laced with asbestos.
- Hull maintenance technicians (HTs): HTs installed and repaired asbestos insulation, pipe gaskets, valves, and plumbing on ships. Many served as welders, removing asbestos insulation before welding.
- Machinist's mates and enginemen: These workers serviced equipment that powered ships. Working in engine rooms exposed them to asbestos piping, insulation, adhesives, and gaskets.
- Pipefitters: Navy pipefitters cut through asbestos pipes and installed new ones, which sent asbestos dust flying into the air. Pipefitters were also at risk of exposure to thermal insulation in pipes.
- Shipyard workers: Those who worked in Navy shipyards were also in danger of asbestos exposure. Shipbuilders and shipyard workers built, renovated, and overhauled ships, which released asbestos fibers.
Testimonial“I was a boiler tender when I went aboard my first ship. I asked them what the material was made out of on the boilers and they told me asbestos. It didn’t kill anybody on the spot. It took years later to start catching up with us.”
Call (877) 450-8973 now to get help if you worked in a Naval ship or shipyard and now have mesothelioma. You may be eligible for VA benefits and compensation.
When Was Asbestos Banned on Ships?
The Navy banned the use of asbestos on new ships and in shipyards in the late 1970s after the health risks became known. The Navy also renovated most of its ships to remove asbestos.
The Navy did not remove all the asbestos from its ships, though. Some sturdy asbestos-based products were left behind if they posed no risk to human health. A handful of older ships still have asbestos aboard today.
Benefits and Compensation for Navy Asbestos Exposure
If you have mesothelioma from asbestos on naval ships, you may qualify for compensation. The VA pays out $3,946.25 a month to married veterans with this cancer through disability benefits.
You may also qualify for payouts from mesothelioma lawsuits, which award $1 million on average. You won’t sue the military or government when you work with our legal partners, and you can still get VA benefits.
Navy mesothelioma settlements secured by our legal partners include:
You may also be eligible for payouts from asbestos trust funds, which currently contain an estimated $30 billion and don’t involve going to court.
Get a free case review from our partner law firm to see how much you could potentially receive.
We Can Help Veterans Exposed to Asbestos on Navy Ships
If you’re a U.S. veteran with mesothelioma caused by asbestos on Navy ships, you may qualify for VA benefits, financial compensation, and free treatment.
The Mesothelioma Veterans Center can help you access the benefits and resources you deserve to fight this cancer.
Our team can:
- Determine how you were exposed to asbestos on Navy ships
- Help you file VA claims or increase your current VA payouts
- Connect you with top cancer doctors and treatments
- Pursue compensation on your behalf worth $1 million+ on average
Call (877) 450-8973 now or get our Free Veterans Packet to see how we can assist you or someone you love.
Asbestos Exposure on Navy Ships FAQs
Do U.S. Navy ships have asbestos?
All U.S. Navy ships built before the early 1980s had asbestos-containing materials aboard.
This put U.S. Navy veterans at risk of developing asbestos-related diseases, including a deadly cancer called mesothelioma. Today, most Navy ships don’t have any asbestos.
What toxins are on Navy ships?
A toxin called asbestos was used on thousands of older U.S. Navy ships. Asbestos helped keep the ships durable and fire-resistant, but exposure put service members at risk of developing cancers like mesothelioma 10-50 years later.
Were you exposed to asbestos on Navy ships? Contact us now to see if we can help you pursue medical care, compensation, and VA benefits.
Which U.S. Navy ships have asbestos?
Almost every U.S. Navy ship built between the 1930s and early 1980s had asbestos aboard. This adds up to thousands of vessels, such as battleships, cruisers, aircraft carriers, and cutters.
If you served on any Navy ship made during that period, you could have been exposed to asbestos, which may cause mesothelioma and other serious illnesses like lung cancer.
Why did the Navy use asbestos?
The U.S. Navy used over 300 asbestos-containing products to keep ships fireproof, waterproof, and well-insulated.
Manufacturers hid the deadly health risks of asbestos, so U.S. Navy veterans thought the substance was safe for decades.
When was asbestos removed from Navy ships?
Asbestos was removed from most U.S. Navy ships in the mid-1980s. That said, a handful of older vessels still in service as of 2024 use asbestos, according to the Naval Vessel Register (NVR).
These ships include:
- USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19)
- USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70)
- USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69)
- USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20)
- USS Nimitz (CVN-68)
The asbestos materials in these ships are in good shape and monitored to protect human health.
Can you sue the Navy for asbestos exposure?
You can't sue the military or government for exposure to asbestos on Navy ships, but you can sue private companies that made the products you were exposed to.
Examples of Navy lawsuit payouts include:
- $40.1 million to a veteran from Washington
- $3.4 million to a veteran from Florida
- $2.5 million to a veteran from New York
Get a Free Veterans Packet to learn about mesothelioma Navy ship payouts and how to pursue compensation.
