USS Tennessee BB43

The USS Tennessee was built in the New York Ship Yard. The 32,300-ton battleship was commissioned June 3, 1920 and operated in the Atlantic for one year. After the first year, she was transferred to the U.S. Pacific Coast, where she served as an active participant in regular training and fleet exercises for nearly two decades.

The USS Tennessee at Pearl Harbor

In 1940, the USS Tennessee was transferred once again, this time to Pearl Harbor where tension with Japan was on the rise. She was one of the eight battleships present when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, leaving her with damage to two of her four gun turrets and severe burn damage caused by the burning oil from the sunken USS Arizona.

After minor repairs, the USS Tennessee headed to Puget Sound Navy Yard, Washington for a complete overhaul, emerging from the shipyard in May 1943. She spent the next three years participating in bombardments of Kiska, Tarawa, Kwajalein, Eniwetok, New Ireland, Saipan, Guam, Tinian, Anguar, Pelieu and Okinawa.

After an aggressive 27 year run, the USS Tennessee BB43 was finally decommissioned in February 1947. She spent the next 12 years as part of the Atlantic Reserve Fleet and was sold for scrapping in July 1959.

The USS Tennessee and Asbestos

Due to its durability and resistance to heat and friction, asbestos was commonly used to build U.S. Navy, commercial and private ships during the early 20th century. All ships built by the Navy before the 1970s, including the USS Tennessee, were full of asbestos-laden products such as:
• Cables
• Gaskets
• Valves
• Adhesives
• Pipe coverings
• Fireproofing sprays
• Ceiling & flooring paneling
• Electrical fittings

Asbestos was also widely used in the engine and broiler rooms, sleeping quarters and navigation rooms on board the battleships. As a result, hundreds of veterans who served on board the USS Tennessee or other battleships have been diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer.
Because mesothelioma can take up to 50 years to develop, some veterans who served on board the USS Tennessee, or those who cleaned, repaired or deconstructed the battleship may just now be seeing the deadly effects.

Learn More about Your Rights

If you worked in the shipbuilding industry or served on board a battleship such as the USS Tennessee and you have developed an asbestos-related illness, an experienced asbestos attorney can inform you of your legal options. You may be eligible for financial compensation.