Caddell Drydock and Repair was established in 1903 as the Schuyler, Payne and Caddell Ship Repair Company in New York Harbor. Today, after three generations of ownership and operation by the Caddell family, Caddell Drydock and Repair services over 300 ships each year, with six dry docks and 150 full-time employees.
Many Types of Vessels
During World War II, Caddell employees repaired warships and commercial vessels. Other types of ships that found new life at Caddell Drydock and Repair are:
- Barges
- Deep-sea fishing boats
- Excursion boats
- Ferries
- Motor tankers
- Schooners
- Tugboats
- Yachts
Asbestos at Caddell Drydock and Repair
In the early years of ship repair at Caddell, workers may have been exposed to toxic levels of asbestos, the fibrous mineral that was widely used as a friction- and fire-retardant material in many vessels. The dangers of asbestos were not established until decades after many people in the shipbuilding and ship repair industries were subjected to asbestos inhalation on the job.
Although asbestos is easy to work with and an effective insulator, it is also dangerous because asbestos fibers are easily released into the air when asbestos is manipulated. Repairs of asbestos-containing ship components presented a definite risk of asbestos inhalation. When asbestos fibers are inhaled, they can become lodged in the lungs and/or other internal organs, where they may initiate a disease process that culminates in asbestosis, mesothelioma, or lung cancer.
Concerned about Asbestos Exposure?
Do you have concerns about the time you've spent working with or near asbestos at a location such as Caddell Drydock and Repair? Contact us today to discuss your concerns and learn more about your options.
