USS Proteus
The Moore Dry Dock Company built the USS Proteus in 1941. Many components of the ship used asbestos as a flame retardant.
USS Proteus (AS 19) – Navy Submarine Tender
Classification: Submarine Tender
Status: Disposed of scrapping, dismantling
Fleet:
Launch Date: 11/12/1942
Commission Date: 1/31/1944
Decommission Date: 9/26/1947
The USS Proteus made 55 voyage repairs and 38 refits for submarines during her commission in World War II. After the war, she was anchored in Sagami Wan and demilitarized surrendered Japanese submarines, human torpedoes, torpedo carrying boats, and suicide boats. Future actors Tony Curtis and Larry Storch were aboard at Tokyo Bay and watched the formal surrender activities on the USS Missouri. In 1975, she was the first ship to be awarded the Navy Humanitarian Service Medal for her actions in creating a “tent city” in Guam for the Vietnamese refugees. She received this award a second time in 1976 for her disaster relief efforts resulting from Typhoon Pamela.
Submarine Tenders main purpose was to provide maintenance and support of submarines in the fleet. Since submarines are small and do not have extra room for storage, submarine tenders would meet with submarines en route to their destination and replenish their supplies with missiles, food, etc. However, these ships are not as necessary as they used to be due to technological advances and automization of modern ships. Unfortunately men on submarine tenders were exposed to asbestos while aboard these vessels. Asbestos was found in a number of areas on these ships, in particular the insulation that lined piping.
Anyone who served on a submarine tender should speak with their doctor regarding asbestos related diseases, such as Mesothelioma and Lung Cancer, and the treatment options available.
We Can Help
Asbestos lung cancer and mesothelioma lawsuits involving active-duty or retired members of the U.S. military involve additional, complex legal issues and considerations.
At The Gori Law Firm, you’ll find lawyers with extensive experience in military asbestos and mesothelioma cases, and a staff that is highly qualified and specially trained to assist us in handling these difficult cases. We also work diligently to help people living with mesothelioma obtain a trial date within six to nine months from the time their lawsuit is filed.
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Asbestos Lung Cancer or Mesothelioma
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For a free case evaluation, please call our law offices directly or contact us online. An experienced attorney will be available to discuss your potential lawsuit, and to answer any questions you may have about the connection between asbestos exposure and deadly cancers such as mesothelioma, or your legal rights.