Asbestos Exposure on the USS Ranger (CV-4)

Hull Number: CV-4
Type: Aircraft Carrier
Class: Ranger
Built: Newport News, VA

The USS Ranger was the first U.S. Navy ship to be designed and constructed as an Aircraft Carrier from the keel up, and was the only ship ever built of its class. It was commissioned in June of 1934, one of only eight Aircraft Carriers to have been commissioned prior to World War II.

Reaching 769 feet bow-to-stern, the USS Ranger carried a complement of 2,148 officers and men, and held a maximum of 86 aircraft. It conducted operations as part of the Atlantic fleet in WWII, and was decommissioned shortly after the war, in October 1946.

Unfortunately for those who served aboard the USS Ranger, it is likely that they were exposed to asbestos over the course of their regular duty. Between the 1930’s and mid-1970’s, asbestos was a common material on Navy ships, found in equipment such as boilers, turbines, pumps, valves, and electrical components.

Additionally, materials including gaskets and packing were made from asbestos. The engine and boiler spaces held an especially high concentration of asbestos, putting Machinist’s Mates, Boiler Tenders, and others who worked primarily in these areas at an elevated risk.

The companies who provided the Navy with these asbestos products were often aware of the dangers, but did nothing to warn those serving aboard the USS Ranger and other, similar ships. This negligence caused the instances of mesothelioma amongst Navy veterans to be significantly more frequent than in the general population.

Navy veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma were likely exposed to asbestos during their time at sea, and have a right to seek compensation. Settlements can often cover the costs of medical care, and may provide additional sums for pain and suffering. The time to file a lawsuit is limited however, so it is important to seek counsel soon after a diagnosis is made.