Minesweepers and Asbestos

Minesweepers are small warships used to counteract threats of sea mines. They are powerful vessels and once played an important role in the U.S. Navy. Minesweepers and asbestos in their components put service members at risk of exposure and later illness.

If you or a loved one have mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, you may be eligible for a large amount of compensation. Currently, there is over $30 billion in asbestos trust funds set up for those who have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness. We invite you to fill out our form today for a free Financial Compensation Packet, filled with information about experienced mesothelioma lawyers in your area, how to get paid in 90 days, how to file an asbestos trust fund claim, and much more.

About Minesweepers

In the military, minesweepers serve two vital purposes for the U.S. Navy: clearing waterways of threatening mines and making water pathways safe for other vessels to launch, land, and engage in sea battles.

These small yet powerful vessels can also patrol and conduct anti-submarine warfare movements in making safe water pathways.

In the past, minesweepers were the first navy ships to go into operations at sea to help make other vessels safe as they carried out missions.

When they detect mines at sea, minesweepers cut the mines’ cables and neutralize them. This process was especially important during wartime.

During World War I, sea mines were dangerous and had the potential of causing a lot of damage during battle time.

Consequently, the military developed the first minesweeper in 1917 and commissioned it in 1918. Known as the USS Lapwing, its name was derived from the lapwing bird due to its slow flaps and wailing cries.

An additional 521 minesweepers were constructed after the USS Lapwing, including one of the largest minesweepers class to date, the Admirable class, which included 170 ships.

Today there is only one active minesweeper class: the Avenger class. The ships in the Avenger class, unlike most other minesweepers, were built with a wooden hull instead of a steel hull.

Other classes of minesweepers once in commission include the Auk, Aggressive, and Android.

Minesweepers and Asbestos Use

Starting from World War I and lasting throughout the era at the end of the Vietnam War, minesweepers were constructed with asbestos-containing materials (ACMs).

The U.S. military chose asbestos products for their affordability, resistance to heat and fire, and its ease of use.

Regardless of the benefits that asbestos brought to the military, the negative outcome of the toxic mineral greatly outweighs the reasons for using it.

Veterans and other workers who built, repaired, or worked around minesweepers are at risk of developing asbestos-related diseases.

Asbestos fibers are thin, odorless, and undetectable, making them almost impossible to avoid while working with and around asbestos-containing products.

In minesweepers, asbestos was used in insulation, cloth, cement, pipe coverings, packing, gaskets, boiler rooms, engine rooms, sleeping quarters, and much more. In fact, according to the U.S. military, more than 300 vessel parts contained asbestos.

Shipyard workers are also at a high risk of developing an asbestos-related illness. Workers who painted minesweepers, installed insulation, carried out regular maintenance, performed electrical work, and worked as plumbers or pipefitters were exposed to asbestos fibers each day at work.

If you lived with someone who once worked on minesweepers before the late 1970s, you might be at risk of developing a toxic illness as well.

Many veterans did not receive the proper safety gear while working on or aboard minesweepers, and in turn, would return to their family home each night with asbestos fibers stuck to their clothing, skin, and hair.

Second-hand asbestos exposure accounts for numerous cases of malignant mesothelioma.

If you or a loved one worked on or around minesweepers, seek routine medical care and make sure your physician knows possible asbestos exposure. Talk to a mesothelioma lawyer about your legal options.

Helpful Resources for Veterans

Remember, if you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, you may qualify for significant compensation. Remember to fill out our form to get your free Financial Compensation Packet, with information on experienced asbestos and mesothelioma lawyers in your area. If you need additional assistance, contact us toll-free at 800-793-4540.