Asbestos Exposure on the USS San Jacinto

Hull Number: CVL-30
Type: Light Aircraft Carrier
Class: Independence
Built: Camden, NJ

This light Aircraft Carrier was built by the New York Shipbuilding Corporation of Camden, NJ, and commissioned by the U.S. Navy in November of 1943. President George H.W. Bush served on the ship during World War II, where it conducted operations in the Pacific Theater.

Measuring 622.5 feet in length, the vessel carried a complement of 1,549 officers and men, and held 45 aircraft. It earned five battle stars for its service in the war, and was given the Presidential Unit Citation for exceptional bravery against the enemy. The San Jacinto was decommissioned shortly after the war, in March of 1947, and was eventually sold for scrap.

Those who served aboard the USS San Jacinto were likely exposed to asbestos during the course of their regular duty. From the 1930’s to the mid-1970’s, asbestos was commonly used in equipment on Navy ships, and could be found in boilers, turbines, pumps, valves, and electrical components. Materials such as gaskets and packing were also often made from asbestos.

These asbestos products were held in a high concentration in the boiler and engine spaces of these ships, putting Machinist’s Mates, Boiler Tenders, and others who worked in these areas at additional risk.

While the companies who provided the Navy with these products were often aware of the health risks, they did nothing to warn those who served on the USS San Jacinto or other ships of the time. As a result, incidences of mesothelioma amongst Navy veterans are significantly higher than that of the general population.

Veterans who have fell victim to mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illness have a right to seek compensation. The extraordinary costs of medical care can often be covered in part or full by settlements, and victims may be entitled to receive additional sums for pain and suffering.

The law limits the time in which a lawsuit may be filed however, so it is important to contact legal counsel immediately following a diagnosis.