USS Utah BB31

History of the USS Utah BB31:
The USS Utah BB31 was commissioned at the Philadelphia Navy Yard on August 31, 1911. The 21,825 ton battleship drew approximately 28 feet. By 1922, USS Utah’s usefulness declined and she was selected for conversion to a mobile target for gunnery practice, and in 1931, she was redesignated to USS Utah AG-16. Later, in 1941, she was refitted for training purposes and sent to Pearl Harbor.

She was one of the first U.S. battleships attacked by the Japanese at Pearl Harbor the morning of December 7, 1941. Japanese commanders ordered their men not to attack USS Utah because she was a training ship and therefore not worthy of attack; however over zealous pilots dropped torpedoes on the USS Utah and the nearby light cruiser Raleigh despite the orders.

The first torpedo hit USS Utah’s port side at 8:01 a.m. as the crew raised the flag at the fan tail. A second torpedo hit moments later and the battleship began to fill with water. By 8:12 a.m., the crew was ordered to abandon ship and she was lost.

Thirty officers and 431 men survived the loss of USS Utah, while six officers and 52 men died with her. She still lies on her side where she sank on the west side of Ford Island in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Her memorial is one of two National Memorials at Pearl Harbor, and although it is not mentioned on tourist maps, it can be visited if prior arrangements are made with the Navy.

USS Utah and asbestos:

Asbestos is a mineral that floats freely in the natural environment. Before the 1970s, it was widely used in the shipbuilding industry due to its durability and strength. Because the mineral is resistant to heat and friction, it was considered to be an ideal material for battleships that would be subject to gunfire and warfare.

Although asbestos is not harmful in its natural state, it becomes extremely toxic when broken down or disturbed. It is composed of microscopic fibers that if separated can be easily ingested through the nose and mouth. If swallowed, the fibers can become lodged in the lining of the lungs, stomach or heart, and over time, can lead to deadly diseases such as mesothelioma, asbestosis or lung cancer.

Legal help for those exposed to asbestos
If you or someone you know worked on or served onboard the USS Utah, you should contact your doctor immediately for a complete examination. If you were exposed to asbestos, you should contact an experienced asbestos attorney today to discuss your legal rights.