USS North Carolina BB55

The battleship USS North Carolina BB55 was considered “the world’s greatest sea weapon” when she was commissioned in 1941. With more than 2,300 enlisted men and officers aboard, the North Carolina saw a great deal of combat in the Western Pacific during World War II, including participation at the following locations:

 the Guadalcanal campaign
 the Battle of the Eastern Solomons
 the Marshalls operation
 the Marianas invasion
 the Battle of the Philippine Sea

Asbestos on the USS North Carolina

Built at the New York Navy Yard, the USS North Carolina was the lead ship in its class of 35,000-ton battleships. It is likely that asbestos was used extensively in the construction of the North Carolina. Asbestos is a strong, resilient and efficient insulator that has thousands of applications. However, asbestos is also a proven carcinogen.

When asbestos is manipulated — for instance, when it is used in the construction of a battleship — it is possible for the millions of tiny fibers of which asbestos is composed to be released into the air, where they may be inhaled.

Asbestos Diseases: Decades after the Exposure to Asbestos

The onset of asbestos-caused diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis is often decades after the individual was exposed to this toxic mineral. Thus, in the period 40 to 50+ years after WWII, thousands of shipyard workers and Navy personnel are being diagnosed with these deadly asbestos diseases.

If You Have an Asbestos Disease

If you helped build the USS North Carolina or served your country aboard this battleship, you may well have been exposed to toxic asbestos. Contact a qualified asbestos attorney today to discuss your situation.