USS Apogon SS-308

The USS Apogon (SS-308) was named for a saltwater fish found in tropical waters. A Balao-class submarine, the Apogon was originally going to be named the Abadejo, but the name was changed before her keel was laid down at the Portsmouth Navy Yard in 1942.

Eight World War II Patrols
Launched at Kittery, Maine in early 1943, the Apogon carried a crew of 10 officers and 70 enlisted men. She served in World War II, completing eight patrols. During her service, the Apogon underwent repairs at Midway Island and Pearl Harbor, and she was given a major overhaul in 1944 at the Mare Island Navy Yard in Vallejo, California.

Sunk by an Atomic Bomb Test at Bikini Atoll
During the Apogon’s eighth war patrol, the Japanese government surrendered, and the Apogon was placed on reserve in San Diego. In 1946, the sub was used as a target for the atomic bomb test conducted at Bikini Atoll, and sunk there as part of Operation Crossroads.

Asbestos Risk and the USS Apogon
The shipyard employees at the Portsmouth Navy Yard who built the USS Apogon, the submarine maintenance and repair crews at Midway Island and Pearl Harbor, and the personnel who performed the Apogon’s overhaul at the Mare Island Navy Yard were all at risk of coming into contact with a toxic level of asbestos, as were the many crew members who spent extended periods in cramped, poorly ventilated submarine quarters.

Shipyard Workers and Navy Vets
Decades after their shipyard work and Navy service — or work/service by family members — thousands of people are being diagnosed with diseases caused by asbestos exposure. Lung cancer, asbestosis, mesothelioma, and respiratory disorders are rather common among these personnel and their families because of the widespread use and presence of asbestos in U.S. Navy vessels.

Schedule a Consultation with an Asbestos Law Firm
If you’re one of the hundreds of people who came into contact with the USS Apogon, it’s a good idea to get a medical check-up for possible asbestos-caused disease. You can also consult a lawyer who represents victims of asbestos to learn about your legal rights.