Brooklyn Navy Yard

During its peak, the Brooklyn Navy Yard produced a huge number of ships for the U.S. Navy. The shipyard used a lot of asbestos in machinery and products. This led to many asbestos-related illnesses and deaths in workers and navy veterans.

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Brooklyn Navy Yard History

Brooklyn Navy Yard was established in 1801 as one of the first of the five original shipyards in the United States. It was created after forty-two acres of land was purchased from a shipowner and converted into a Naval shipyard.

Its previous owner, John Jackson, built a frigate known as ADAMS, the first government-appointed vessel built at the Brooklyn Navy Yard.

Shortly after, the Brooklyn Navy Yard became an important part of the War of 1812, when over 100 ships were built for the battle. A few years later, the shipyard built the first steamship, The Fulton.

As the demand for space heightened and Brooklyn Navy Yard continued to buy and build vessels, the shipyard expanded to include additional shops and docks.

World War I resulted in the yard building the Tennessee naval ship. Ship production slowed down significantly after World War I.

World War II

More than 70,000 people worked at the shipyard when World War II began, including technicians, builders, mechanics, and more.

It was during World War II that Brooklyn Navy Yard began using a lot of asbestos. It was typical for thousands of people to work around the toxic mineral on any given day.

In addition to asbestos mixed into machinery, products, and equipment, a multitude of workers wore aprons, leggings, and other work gear that contained asbestos.

In 1966, the Brooklyn Navy Yard was closed down by New York’s Secretary of Defense to cut costs. A few years later, however, the City of New York reopened it as a private corporation.

Asbestos Products at Brooklyn Navy Yard

Along with asbestos in machinery, products, work gear, and insulation, an onsite shop at Brooklyn Navy Yard manufactured asbestos-containing cloths.

The cloths were used as insulation for steam and water piped on ships, as well in the shipyard’s central power plant and boiler shop.

The pipe shop onsite at the shipyard used asbestos in its manufacturing lagging. The cloth insulated hot water and steam pipes in the vessels repaired at the shipyard.

The boiler shop and the central power plant also used asbestos-containing material. Workers produced it on-premises as insulation.

Safety Measures at Brooklyn Navy Shipyard

It’s important to note that Brooklyn Navy Shipyard took precautions to help protect workers around asbestos, yet, it still wasn’t enough to stop thousands of people developing asbestos-related diseases.

Some of the safety measures included providing safety masks, safety goggles, and large exhaust fans to help blow out asbestos and magnesia dust.

Workers were also provided ample water at the job site to help wash and rinse off asbestos fibers.

The U.S. Public Health Service issued a list of recommendations to the Brooklyn Navy yard to keep workers as safe as possible. It included various suggestions, such as advising workers to get chest x-rays every six months or every year, depending upon the job function.

For example, it was recommended that sandblasters get semi-annual chest X-rays while anyone who worked around asbestos should get chest X-rays every year.

Brooklyn Navy Shipyard Today

Shortly before Brooklyn Navy Shipyard closed in 1966, an engineering student created a detailed plan for converting it into a commercial shipyard to save thousands of jobs. The plan, however, was never carried out.

Today, the shipyard, screened by a plethora of trees, is a manufacturing and commercial center. Over 200 businesses currently operate at the former shipyard, with around 5,000 employees.

One of the businesses includes Brooklyn Grange Rooftop Farms, which sits on a 65,000 square feet farm, on top of Building 3. The Brooklyn Grange Rooftop Farms offers public and private events, including tours, workshops, a youth farming program, and more.

Another prominent company currently located at the old shipyard include Steiner Studios, a 580,000 square feet, state-of-the-art entertainment production company.

The shipyard currently has as a museum dedicated solely to the history of Brooklyn Navy Yard. It displays photographs and other memorabilia. Visitors are also allowed tour bus visits and bike rides throughout the campus.

If you worked at Brooklyn Naval Yard during its shipbuilding days, talk to an asbestos law firm about your legal options.

Additional Help and Legal Resources

Keep in mind that you may qualify for significant compensation if you or a loved one have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis. Remember to fill out our form to get your free Financial Compensation Packet, with information on asbestos and mesothelioma lawyers in your area.