Written By: Camryn Keeble
Asbestos on Navy Stores Ships
U.S. Navy stores ships are specialized vessels designed to provide logistical support to naval forces. They have a large capacity used to transport and deliver supplies, equipment and personnel to naval bases and ships at sea. However, Navy stores ships were constructed with mass amounts of asbestos, a cancer-causing mineral. This has led to severe health issues for many veterans of the U.S. Navy.
Reviewed By
Retired LCDR Carl Jewett
VA-Accredited Claims Agent
Reviewed By
Retired LCDR Carl Jewett
VA-Accredited Claims Agent
Dangers of Asbestos on Navy Stores Ships
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral known to cause cancer. The health risks associated with asbestos were unknown for many decades. The mineral was overused throughout various industries, including the construction of Navy ships.
Shipbuilders in the U.S. Navy believed in using asbestos because of its heat-resistant and durable properties. It was a great insulator and a long-lasting material. Asbestos can be found all throughout Navy stores ships and other vessels. The most common places to find asbestos on a Navy ship are in the engine room, boilers, pipe insulation, electrical insulation, bulkheads, overheads, deck tiles, pumps, gaskets, valve packing materials and more.
Because of the widespread use of asbestos by the Navy and other branches, military asbestos exposure is one of the most common types of exposure. Any type of asbestos exposure can lead to serious health issues or cancer, such as mesothelioma.
Navy Stores Ships built with asbestos include the AF (Provision Stores Ships) and the AFS (Combat Stores Ships) classes.
If you are a Navy veteran who served on a stores ship, you may have been exposed to asbestos on your stores ship. Contact our VA-Accredited Claims Agent, retired LCDR Carl Jewett, to find out more information or for assistance filing your VA claim.
More About Navy Stores Ships
U.S. Navy Stores Ships, also known as replenishment ships, are vessels designed to support the logistics and supply needs of the fleet. Their primary purpose is to provide underway replenishment (UNREP) of essential supplies, such as food, fuel, ammunition and spare parts, to naval vessels at sea. This enables the fleet to maintain operational readiness and stay on station for extended periods without returning to port for resupply.
During World War II, the scale of the conflict required massive amounts of supplies and equipment to be transported to the front lines, enabling combat and escort ships to remain on station for extended periods of time.
During the Korean War, stores ships supported the US Navy’s blockade of North Korea by carrying supplies and provisions to the naval blockade force.
Stores ships were used extensively during the Vietnam War to support the U.S. military’s operations in Southeast Asia. They carried fuel, ammunition and other supplies to U.S. troops in Vietnam and neighboring countries.
U.S. Navy stores ships have been an essential part of military logistics throughout history. Their ability to carry supplies and equipment to support military operations has been critical for ensuring the success of many campaigns, and they continue to play an important role in modern military operations.
Sources & Author
- USNS Rigel (T-AF-58) underway in the Mediterranean Sea, in 1987 (6433240). Wikimedia COmmons. Retrieved from: https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=67923787. Accessed: 09/05/2023.
