Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Asbestos Risks

What to Know About Asbestos in Portsmouth Naval Shipyard

Portsmouth Naval Shipyard is located in Kittery, Maine, near the border of New Hampshire. It is one of the oldest naval shipyards operated by the U.S. Navy, having been founded in 1800.

Notably, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard has long focused on submarine construction, repair, and overhaul operations. During World War II alone, more than 75 submarines were built at this shipyard. Submarine building operations continued through the end of the 1960s.

However, Navy personnel and shipyard workers stationed at this yard risked exposure to a highly toxic substance called asbestos. Virtually all Navy ships built before the early 1980s used asbestos.

This created a significant risk of asbestos exposure for workers and surrounding personnel. Later in life, veterans exposed to asbestos could end up with diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer.

Mesothelioma & Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Quick Facts

Also known as: Portsmouth Navy Yard
Ships serviced: Submarines
Health risks: Mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other serious asbestos diseases
Asbestos use timelines: 1930s to early 1980s
Who is at risk: U.S. Navy veterans, shipyard workers, and family members

If you or a loved one worked at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard years ago and has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you may be eligible for VA benefits, health care, and financial resources. Get our Free Veterans Packet now to learn how we can help you.

How Was Asbestos Used in Portsmouth Naval Shipyard?

Asbestos use was widespread across Portsmouth Naval Shipyard during much of the 20th century. Asbestos products were commonly used in submarines to reduce heat, help with insulation, and reduce corrosion.

Asbestos-containing products were also cheap to purchase, so the U.S. Navy viewed them as essential for virtually all ships in its fleet.

Common asbestos-containing products included:

Asbestos insulation in engine rooms and workspaces
Fire-resistant materials applied to structures and equipment
Electrical paneling and wiring
Gaskets and seals in mechanical systems
Pipe insulation used throughout ships and facilities

During repair and overhaul projects at this shipyard, older asbestos materials were often disturbed. This released asbestos fibers into the air. Workers exposed to asbestos dust could breathe in the fibers, increasing their risk of disease.

List of Ships Built or Repaired at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard

Portsmouth Naval Shipyard has mainly focused on building and servicing submarines for decades, and it continues to do so to this day.

During World War II alone, 75 submarines were built at the yard, all of which used asbestos-containing materials due to government mandates.

Submarines built or serviced that contained asbestos included:

USS Albacore (AGSS-569)
USS Archerfish (SSN-678)
USS Balao (SS-285)
USS Bang (SS-385)
USS Barb (SS-220)
USS Bluefish (SS-222)
USS Conger (SS-477)
USS Irex (SS-482)
USS Lionfish (SS-298)
USS Marlin (SS-205)
USS Odax (SS-484)
USS Sailfish (SSR-572)
USS Sea Cat (SS-399)
USS Torsk (SS-423)

Those working on submarines and other U.S. Navy ships didn’t realize that they were in danger of developing mesothelioma. This is because manufacturers of asbestos-containing products hid the health risks to make significant profits.

Call (877) 450-8973 now for help getting VA benefits, treatments, and compensation if you or a loved one has mesothelioma and worked at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.

Jobs at Risk of Asbestos Exposure in Portsmouth Naval Shipyard

Employment at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard peaked during World War II, with over 25,000 shipyard workers dedicated to building submarines. Many of these employees, and those who worked at the yard through the early 1980s, risked everyday exposure to asbestos.

Daily work often took place in dry dock areas and confined ship spaces, where asbestos could linger in the air for hours, putting workers at long-term risk.

Because asbestos use was so common, long-term exposure affected many Portsmouth Naval Shipyard workers.

Many roles at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard involved a risk of asbestos exposure. Some workers faced daily exposure due to direct contact with asbestos materials.

High-risk positions included:

Boiler tenders
Dry dock crews
Engineers
Electricians
Insulators
Maintenance and mechanical workers
Pipefitters
Plumbers
Shipyard workers
Welders

Family members could also face secondary exposure from asbestos dust brought home on clothing, hair, or skin by shipyard workers.

Mesothelioma takes 10-50 years or more to develop following exposure to asbestos. As a result, those who worked at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard decades ago could still be in danger of this cancer in the present day.

Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Mesothelioma Claims

If you’re now facing mesothelioma and worked at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard earlier in life, you may be eligible for compensation and support from different sources.

Learn how to file Portsmouth Naval Shipyard mesothelioma lawsuits, trust fund claims, and VA benefits claims to get the resources your family needs to move forward.

VA Benefits for Mesothelioma

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has many different benefits available to veterans with mesothelioma. In fact, many veterans with mesothelioma are granted a 100% rating, meaning they’ll have the highest disability payouts and lowest health care copays.

Essential mesothelioma VA benefits include:

Disability compensation worth $4,158.17 monthly
Free or low-cost VA health care
More resources for surviving family

Major Jonathan Nelson (Ret) can assist with the mesothelioma VA benefits process for free. Get started right now.

Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Asbestos Lawsuits

U.S. veterans and families could pursue compensation from manufacturers of asbestos-containing products through mesothelioma lawsuits. While each case is different, many of these lawsuits award $1 million or more.

The Mesothelioma Veterans Center has legal partners who’ll handle the lawsuit process on your behalf without involving the military or government.

Our partner lawyers have recovered high payouts for Maine veterans:

$2.77 million to a U.S. Navy veteran
$2.1 million to a U.S. Army veteran
$2 million to a U.S. Navy veteran
$1.55 million to a U.S. Air Force veteran
$2.12 million to a U.S. Navy veteran

Get a free case review now to find out if you or a loved one can file a Portsmouth Naval Shipyard mesothelioma lawsuit.

Asbestos Trust Funds

Asbestos trust funds are parcels of money established by bankrupt asbestos manufacturers. Dozens of different trusts are active today, with a combined worth of over $30 billion.

With help from a mesothelioma law firm, you may be able to recover trust fund money depending on which products you were exposed to at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. You can still access VA benefits and lawsuit payouts.

Find Legal Help for Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Asbestos Exposure

Those who proudly served their country and worked at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard didn’t deserve to get sick with mesothelioma. Yet every year, more and more brave U.S. veterans are diagnosed.

The Mesothelioma Veterans Center is ready to help Navy veterans and families get the resources that they deserve.

We can assist with:

Accessing VA benefits
Exploring treatments
Recovering compensation
Getting support your family deserves

Get a Free Veterans Packet or call (877) 450-8973 to learn more about how our team can support your family following a mesothelioma diagnosis.

Mesothelioma Portsmouth Naval Shipyard FAQs

What was the last submarine built at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard?

The last submarine built at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard was the USS Sand Lance (SSN-660), which was launched in 1969. The shipyard continues to service and repair vessels to this day, though.

The USS Sand Lance, like many other ships built at this shipyard, contained asbestos products. Anyone who helped construct or maintain submarines at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard could be in danger of mesothelioma today as a result of this exposure.

Contact us now for help filing claims for Portsmouth Naval Shipyard asbestos exposure. We’re ready to assist you and your family if you qualify.

Is the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Maine or New Hampshire?

Portsmouth Naval Shipyard is located in Kittery, Maine. It is a very short distance from Portsmouth, New Hampshire, being right across the border.

Portsmouth Naval Shipyard should not be confused with Norfolk Naval Shipyard, which is located in Portsmouth, Virginia.

How do I prove asbestos exposure at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard for a claim?

To prove asbestos exposure occurred for a VA benefits claim or mesothelioma lawsuit, you’ll need evidence showing how long you worked at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, what your role was, and which components you came in contact with.

At the Mesothelioma Veterans Center, our team can help research your potential exposures to build and file claims on your behalf. This takes the pressure off you and your family so you can focus on your treatment plan.

How much could I receive from a Portsmouth Naval Shipyard asbestos lawsuit?

Every Portsmouth Naval Shipyard mesothelioma claim is unique. With that said, many lawsuits have awarded $1 million or more to families, allowing them to cover costs associated with treatments, basic living expenses, and more.

The Mesothelioma Veteran Center’s legal partners can work to build the strongest lawsuit possible on your behalf, potentially maximizing your available compensation.

Many families who have worked with our legal team have started to get financial compensation within 90 days, and there are no upfront costs.

Get a free case review now to learn more about your options if you’re facing mesothelioma.