The Brooklyn Navy Yard, more formally known as the U.S. Navy Yard-New York, but also known as the New York Naval Shipyard (NYNSY) employed some 70,000 people during the peak years of World War II. Working around the clock, the Brooklyn Navy Yard employees included many women, hired for the first time to contribute their efforts as mechanics and technicians.

A Storied History

The Brooklyn Navy Yard had a rich history. For instance, in 1815 the steam frigate Fulton was launched there, and in 1890, the Maine was launched. By the late 1930s, about 10,000 men toiled at the Yard, about a third of whom were WPA (Works Progress Administration) workers.

A Huge Yard

At the start of World War II, the Brooklyn Navy Yard had four dry docks, two steel shipways, a power plant, a radio station, foundries, warehouses, machine shops, and more than five miles of paved streets. By the height of the war, the Yard had more than 200 acres of facilities. The Yard workers made a huge contribution to the war effort.

In 1966, the U.S. Navy decommissioned the Brooklyn Navy Yard and sold it to the City of New York.

Asbestos at the Brooklyn Navy Yard

Hundreds of components of ships built at the Brooklyn Navy Yard contained asbestos, the fibrous mineral that is an effective insulator and fire-retardant material. Components used in boilers, turbines, and pumps often contained asbestos. In addition, products such as welding blankets and building insulation often contained asbestos in one form or another.

The individuals who worked with or near asbestos products at a shipyard were at risk of inhaling the asbestos fibers that are released into the air when asbestos is manipulated. Several life-threatening diseases, including mesothelioma, are the possible result of asbestos inhalation.

Ask an Attorney about Your Rights

If you or your loved one worked at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, you may have concerns about asbestos poisoning. To learn more about your rights and options contact us today.