Western Pipe and Steel controlled several major shipyards that built Navy vessels through World War II. Many of these ships were made with asbestos-containing products — and exposure can lead to mesothelioma later in life. Get help if you served on a ship constructed by Western Pipe and Steel or worked in one of its shipyards and now have mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease.
Western Pipe and Steel Shipyards and Mesothelioma Risks
Western Pipe and Steel Company was founded in 1906 and operated until 1945, with major shipyards throughout California.
However, Navy ships built at Western Pipe and Steel shipyards contained asbestos, which is now known to cause mesothelioma and other serious health issues.
Many of the asbestos-containing vessels built there remained in service for decades — putting many U.S. Navy and Coast Guard veterans at risk of mesothelioma.
Western Pipe and Steel Shipyards Asbestos Quick Facts
- Shipyard locations: San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Pedro
- Ships built or repaired: Destroyer escorts, Coast Guard cutters, escort carriers, and more
- Health risks: Mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis, and other asbestos-related diseases
- Time period of asbestos use: Early 20th century
- Who is at risk: Navy veterans, shipyard workers, and their loved ones
Those serving in the Navy or working in shipyards never deserved to develop life-threatening health problems like mesothelioma. The Mesothelioma Veteran Center is here to assist families following a diagnosis.
Get a Free Veterans Packet now to explore military benefits, treatments, and compensation that may be available to you or a loved one.
How Was Asbestos Used in Western Pipe and Steel Shipyards?
Asbestos use was widespread in Western Pipe and Steel shipyards, particularly during World War II. Government mandates required the use of asbestos on all Navy ships to help with fireproofing, insulation, and durability.
Asbestos was commonly used in:
- Boiler and engine rooms: Insulation protected components exposed to high heat and pressure.
- Dry docks and maintenance shops: Workers used asbestos blankets, welding curtains, and gasket materials during repairs.
- Electrical and piping systems: Asbestos was wrapped around wires, valves, and pipe fittings throughout ship hulls.
- Protective equipment: Gloves, coats, and aprons often contained asbestos to guard against burns.
- Structural materials: Asbestos was mixed into cement, floor tiles, and roofing panels used in shipyard buildings.
As a result, shipyard workers and service members stationed on ships built by Western Pipe & Steel faced daily asbestos exposure that put their health in jeopardy.
List of Ships Built or Repaired at Western Pipe and Steel Shipyards
As a key shipbuilding company during World War I and World War II, Western Pipe and Steel constructed more than 100 Navy ships for the U.S. Shipping Board and Maritime Commission.
The majority of these ships were built with asbestos-containing products, particularly the vessels used during World War II.
Types of naval ships built at Western Pipe and Steel shipyards included:
- Coast Guard cutters: Western Pipe and Steel was responsible for building seven Wind-class icebreakers. These included the USCGC Westwind (WAGB-281), USCGC Northwind (WAGB-282), USCGC Eastwind (WAG-279), and USCGC Southwind (WAG-280).
- Destroyer escorts: Twelve destroyer escorts, including the USS Bangust (DE-739), USS Kyne (DE-744), and USS Snyder (DE-745), were built by Western Pipe and Steel during World War II.
- Escort carriers: Many escort carriers built at Western Pipe and Steel shipyards were transferred to the British naval fleet to support the European war efforts. The USS Barnes (AVG-7), USS Croatan (CVE-25), and USS Hamlin (CVE-15) were just a few of these ships.
- Other vessels: Over the course of Western Pipe and Steel’s history, its shipyards built and repaired Navy cargo ships, destroyers, attack transports, and many more.
Western Pipe and Steel Company was sold in the late 1940s following World War II and its shipyards were shuttered. However, many vessels built with asbestos at the shipyards remained in use for decades, most notably the Wind-class icebreakers.
Navy service members didn't realize they were in danger as manufacturers of the asbestos-containing materials used aboard these ships hid the health risks.
Call (877) 450-8973 to get help pursuing VA benefits and compensation if you or a loved one served in the Navy and now has mesothelioma.
Jobs at Risk of Asbestos Exposure at Western Pipe and Steel Shipyards
Nearly all shipyard workers risked breathing in or swallowing asbestos dust since the substance was so commonly used aboard Navy vessels.
However, some faced especially high rates of exposure if they handled or disturbed asbestos-containing products daily or worked in cramped or poorly ventilated areas.
Western Pipe and Steel shipyard jobs with the highest risk of asbestos exposure included:
- Boilermakers
- Dry dock workers
- Electricians
- Fireproofers
- Insulators
- Machinists
- Maintenance staff
- Pipefitters
- Ship repair technicians
- Welders
The health risks associated with asbestos were not immediately apparent to those working in shipyards. This is because it takes decades for illnesses like mesothelioma to appear.
In addition, the companies that manufactured asbestos-containing ship products participated in a decades-long cover-up, hiding the health risks while making significant profits.
Benefits and Compensation for Western Pipe and Steel Mesothelioma Victims
Veterans and former Western Pipe and Steel shipyard workers may be eligible for different types of benefits if they have since developed mesothelioma.
Explore key resources below and see how our team can help you access them.
VA Benefits for Mesothelioma
U.S. Navy and Coast Guard veterans with a history of exposure at Western Pipe and Steel shipyards may qualify for benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Notable mesothelioma VA benefits include:
- Disability compensation worth $4,044.91 a month
- Free or inexpensive treatments for mesothelioma with VA health care
- Additional resources for surviving loved ones and family members
The VA considers mesothelioma to be a 100% disability, granting veterans with this cancer the highest monthly disability payouts and the lowest health care copays.
Get help filing or maximizing your mesothelioma VA benefits after a diagnosis with our team’s assistance.
Western Pipe and Steel Shipyard Asbestos Lawsuits
Veterans and civilians can file mesothelioma lawsuits to pursue compensation from the manufacturers of asbestos-containing products.
These asbestos lawsuits typically pay out $1 million or more. The U.S. military and government are not sued, giving veterans peace of mind.
A jury awarded a woman $6.5 million after her mesothelioma diagnosis was traced back to secondary asbestos exposure. Both her parents worked at Western Pipe and Steel’s San Francisco shipyard in the 1940s and brought home asbestos fibers, exposing her as a child.
Other mesothelioma lawsuit payouts for California veterans include:
- $3.5 million to a U.S. Navy veteran and carpenter
- $2.4 million to a U.S. Navy veteran and boiler tender
- $3 million to a U.S. Navy veteran and telephone technician
Get a Free Case Review now to find out how much mesothelioma lawsuit compensation could be available in your case.
Western Pipe and Steel Shipyard Asbestos Trust Funds
Many companies that once supplied asbestos materials to Western Pipe and Steel shipyards have since filed for bankruptcy protection to avoid lawsuits.
However, companies that wanted to stay in business were forced to set aside money in asbestos trust funds to pay current and future victims.
There is over $30 billion set aside across all asbestos trust funds today, and our legal partners may be able to help you or a loved one access this compensation.
Help for Western Pipe and Steel Shipyard Asbestos Victims
Nobody deserved to develop mesothelioma from making an honest living out of shipyard work or serving in the U.S. Navy. Sadly, because so many Navy ships built by Western Pipe and Steel contained asbestos, thousands of families are at risk of this cancer today.
The Mesothelioma Veterans Center is here to support veterans, former shipyard workers, and their loved ones following a devastating diagnosis.
Work with our team to:
- Access mesothelioma VA benefits
- Find top doctors and treatments
- Pursue compensation to cover any expenses
- Receive the support you deserve
Get a Free Veterans Packet now or call (877) 450-8973 to learn how our team can assist you or someone you love.
Western Pipe and Steel Shipyard Asbestos Exposure FAQs
What is the shipyard lung disease?
Mesothelioma is a hallmark lung-related disease among shipyard workers. It is a cancer caused by asbestos exposure that typically develops in the lining of the lungs.
Those who worked at Western Pipe and Steel shipyards ran a high risk of mesothelioma because asbestos was used to build the majority of ships.
Contact us now to see how we can help you or a former shipyard worker you love following a mesothelioma diagnosis.
Which Navy ships were built at Western Pipe and Steel shipyards?
Over 100 U.S. Navy ships were constructed at Western Pipe and Steel shipyards through World War II. The majority of the vessels constructed there contained asbestos, a material that is the only known cause of mesothelioma.
Navy ships built by Western Pipe and Steel include:
- USCGC Northwind (WAGB-282)
- USCGC Westwind (WAGB-281)
- USS Bangust (DE-739)
- USS Barnes (AVG-7)
- USS Hamlin (CVE-15)
- USS Kyne (DE-744)
You or a loved one may be eligible for benefits and compensation if you developed mesothelioma from working or serving on any of these ships.
What are the odds of getting mesothelioma from asbestos exposure?
Anyone exposed to asbestos can develop mesothelioma 10 to 50 years later. While even being exposed just once can cause this cancer, those at the highest risk were regularly exposed.
For example, Western Pipe and Steel Shipyard workers may have faced routine exposure while building, renovating, and demolishing vessels. This is because the U.S. Navy mandated the use of asbestos aboard all of its ships for decades.
U.S. Navy veterans who served on ships containing asbestos were also at a very high risk of mesothelioma. In fact, one in three mesothelioma patients is a Navy veteran or former shipyard worker.
Can you sue Western Pipe and Steel for asbestos exposure?
Western Pipe and Steel Company was sold off in the 1940s to various other companies and its naval shipyards were closed, so it’s not possible to file a lawsuit against it.
However, our mesothelioma law firm may be able to help you or a loved one file claims with the asbestos companies that made the products used at Western Pipe and Steel shipyards.
The average mesothelioma lawsuit awards over $1 million, allowing you and your family to afford medical treatments and other expenses.
Call (877) 450-8973 now to find out if you’re eligible to file an asbestos lawsuit following a mesothelioma diagnosis.
