Asbestos Exposure on the USS Albert W. Grant

Hull Number: DD-649
Type: Destroyer
Class: Fletcher
Built: Charleston, SC

Built in midst of World War II by the Charleston Navy Yard of Charleston, South Carolina, the USS Albert W. Grant was a Fletcher-class Destroyer commissioned by the U.S. Navy in November of 1943. The ship measured just over 376 feet in length, and carried a complement of 329 officers and enlisted men.

During the Second World War, the Albert W. Grant was a unit in the Pacific Fleet, conducting operations in areas including the Philippines, the Leyte Gulf, and the Marianas. It was the recipient of seven battle stars over the course of its brief service, as well as a Navy Unit Commendation. The vessel was decommissioned shortly after the end of the war, in July 1946.

Asbestos was a common material used on Navy ships that were constructed before the mid-1970’s. Therefore, it is likely that many who served on the USS Albert W. Grant were exposed during the course of their regular duty.

Equipment such as boilers, pumps, valves, turbines, and electrical components were made with asbestos parts, and materials such as gaskets and packing were often made entirely from asbestos.

A high concentration of these components and materials could be found in the engine and boiler spaces, putting Machinist’s Mates, Boiler Tenders, Firemen, and others who worked in these areas at a heightened risk.

The companies who provided the Navy with these asbestos products often knew of the threat they posed, but did nothing to warn veterans of the USS Albert W. Grant or other ships from the era.

Veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma and other asbestos diseases have a right to seek compensation for their conditions. Settlements can help patients cover the costs associated with battling these aggressive illnesses, and can often provide additional sums for the suffering of victims and their families.

The law limits the time in which a lawsuit can be filed however, so it is important to seek legal counsel soon after receiving a diagnosis.