If you served aboard a ship of the Liberty Ships, you may have been exposed to asbestos. Ships of this era used asbestos throughout their engineering and living spaces because it resisted heat and fire. If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, or another asbestos-related disease, you may be eligible for compensation through asbestos trust funds and VA benefits. There is no cost to speak with us about your service history.
About the Liberty Ships
The Liberty Ships were mass-produced cargo ships that carried supplies during World War II, crewed by the Merchant Marine and protected by Navy Armed Guard gun crews. They were in service across roughly 1941 to the 1970s. Like other warships of the 1940s, they were built and maintained at a time when asbestos was a standard material.
Where asbestos was used aboard the Liberty Ships
Asbestos was used in many parts of a ship of this era. The heaviest concentrations were in the engineering spaces, where high heat made fireproof insulation necessary. Common locations included:
- Boilers, turbines, and steam piping wrapped in asbestos lagging and insulation
- Gaskets and valve packing throughout steam, fuel, and water systems
- Pumps, evaporators, and heat exchangers
- Insulation behind bulkheads and around ventilation trunks
- Fireproofing in berthing, galley, and machinery compartments
Repair and overhaul work disturbed these materials. Removing and replacing insulation, gaskets, and packing could release asbestos fibers into the air in enclosed spaces.
Who was exposed
Sailors in the engineering ratings had the most regular contact with asbestos. The roles most often associated with this exposure include:
- Boiler Technician (BT). Operated and maintained boilers that were heavily insulated with asbestos.
- Machinist’s Mate (MM). Worked on turbines, pumps, and engine room machinery sealed with asbestos gaskets and packing.
- Hull Maintenance Technician (HT). Performed welding, pipefitting, and structural repair that cut through asbestos materials.
- Engineman (EN) and Damage Controlman (DC). Maintained machinery and firefighting systems in insulated spaces.
Sailors in other ratings could also be exposed, since the materials were present throughout the ship and overhaul work affected many compartments.
Health risks from asbestos exposure
Asbestos exposure is linked to mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. These diseases commonly develop 10 to 50 years after exposure, so a diagnosis decades after service is common. A veteran who served aboard ships of this era and later received such a diagnosis may have options for compensation.
Trust funds covering Liberty Ships exposure
Many companies that supplied asbestos materials to the Navy later filed for bankruptcy and set up trust funds. A veteran exposed aboard a ship of this class may have claims against more than one trust, separate from any lawsuit and separate from VA benefits.
Insulation and block materials point to trusts such as Owens-Corning Fibreboard, Babcock and Wilcox, and Combustion Engineering. Gaskets and packing point to gasket makers whose trusts are listed in the asbestos trust funds directory.
Figures on this page are reference values from published trust documents and are not a promise of payment. See the full disclaimer.
Compensation options for veterans
A trust claim does not replace VA benefits. They are separate paths. A veteran with mesothelioma may qualify for VA disability compensation, and a surviving spouse may qualify for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation. See VA benefits for mesothelioma and filing a VA claim and a trust claim together.
Related ships and resources
See other vessels of this era: Fletcher-Class Destroyers; Essex-Class Aircraft Carriers. For the full index, see asbestos on Navy ships and the military bases directory. For examples of how Navy cases have resolved, see Navy veteran mesothelioma verdicts and settlements.
Get help with your claim
We help veterans and their families understand their compensation options. There is no cost to speak with us about your case.
Call: (800) 763-9692
Or fill out the form below.
"*" indicates required fields
Frequently asked questions
Was there asbestos on the Liberty Ships?
Yes. Ships of this era used asbestos for insulation and fireproofing, especially in boilers, turbines, piping, gaskets, and packing throughout the engineering spaces.
Who was most exposed aboard these ships?
Engineering ratings such as boiler technicians, machinist’s mates, hull maintenance technicians, and enginemen had the most regular contact, though the materials were present throughout the ship.
Can I file a trust claim and a VA claim?
In many cases, yes. Trust claims are paid by the manufacturers’ trusts, not the VA, so the two are usually separate paths. A case review can confirm which options apply to you.
How long after service can mesothelioma appear?
Mesothelioma commonly develops 10 to 50 years after exposure, so a diagnosis decades after Navy service is common.
Sources
- https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/asbestos/
- https://www.benefits.va.gov/COMPENSATION/claims-special-asbestos.asp
| Ship name | Hull number | Commissioned | Builder | Fate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SS Patrick Henry | first Liberty ship (hull no. not individually assigned; lead ship of the design) | 1941 | Bethlehem-Fairfield Shipyard, Baltimore, Maryland | Laid up after WWII, ran aground off Florida in 1946, scrapped at Baltimore, 1958 |
| SS Stephen Hopkins | EC2-S-C1 type | 1942 | Permanente Metals Corporation, Richmond, California | Sunk 27 September 1942 after sinking the German commerce raider Stier — the only U.S. merchant ship to sink a German surface combatant in WWII |
| SS Robert E. Peary | EC2-S-C1 type | 1942 | Permanente Metals Corporation No. 2 Yard, Richmond, California | Built in a record 4 days, 15 hours, 29 minutes (keel to launch) as a wartime production demonstration; scrapped 1963 |
| SS John W. Brown | EC2-S-C1 type | 1942 | Bethlehem-Fairfield Shipyard, Baltimore, Maryland | Museum ship, Baltimore, Maryland — one of two Liberty ships that remain fully operational under their own power |
| SS Jeremiah O'Brien | EC2-S-C1 type | 1943 | New England Shipbuilding Corporation, South Portland, Maine | Museum ship, San Francisco, California — the other of the two fully operational surviving Liberty ships; made 11 D-Day crossings to Normandy |