New York Shipbuilding Corporation

The New York Shipbuilding Corporation was a large shipyard in Camden, New Jersey. It built a variety of important vessels for both world wars, but its extensive use of asbestos left many of its workers with life-threatening diseases.

If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, you may be eligible for substantial compensation. Fill out our form to receive our free Financial Compensation Packet. Our packet is loaded with information on experienced mesothelioma attorneys in your area, how to file a claim for asbestos trust funds, how to get paid in 90 days, and more. 

New York Shipbuilding History

Henry G. Morse created the New York Shipbuilding Corporation in 1899. Instead of locating in New York as initially planned, he settled on Camden, New Jersey. By 1901, this shipyard launched the MS Dollar, its first shipyard. Shortly after, the shipyard created numerous vessels, including,

• Washington
• USS Michigan
• USS Utah
• USS Arkansas
• USS Oklahoma

New York Shipbuilding continued building vessels for several years and eventually became one of the largest shipyards in World War I.

The shipyard added additional yards and space, situated more than two miles along the Delaware River. As the business continued to boom, the company built a myriad of vessels after the military invested over $20 million for its expansion.

New York Shipbuilding also created the USS Saratoga (CV-3). The vessel was supposed to be a battlecruiser, but it was used as an aircraft carrier for the United States Navy during World War II.

Afterward, the shipyard continued to provide vessels to the Navy during World War II, including destroyer tenders, seaplane tenders, aircraft, light cruisers, a battlecruiser, a repair shop, and a battleship.

Once the war ended, New York Shipbuilding began building several submarines, but the demand for the shipyard’s vessels declined drastically in the early 1960s. By 1967, the shipyard closed its doors.

New York Shipbuilding and Asbestos

Similar to most shipyards in the past, New York Shipbuilding Corporation relied heavily on asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) and products while building vessels.

Not only was asbestos affordable, but it was also easy to mix into other materials and resistant to heat and fire.

In turn, shipyard employees and contractors worked with and around asbestos daily and for prolonged periods of time.

Many shipyard employees worked in the cramped engine rooms in vessels with asbestos dust permeating the air as they sprayed asbestos-filled sprays onto ship parts and walls.

The workers were never warned of the dangers of asbestos, nor were they given any protective gear, such as respirators, to wear while working around massive amounts of the dangerous minerals.

Due to the excessive use of asbestos, numerous New York Shipbuilding employees and contractors developed fatal illnesses, including malignant mesothelioma, asbestosis, and asbestos-related lung cancer.

Many of the workers at New York Shipbuilding are United States Navy veterans. These workers could qualify for free medical assistance and compensation from the Veterans Administration.

Non-veterans and veterans alike who were injured by asbestos have the option to file claims against the manufacturers that supplied asbestos to shipyards.

In recent times, shipyards have been in the hot seat after the laws changed and now mandate that shipyards that knew of the dangers of asbestos, yet didn’t warn workers, should also be held liable.

If you worked at New York Shipbuilding, talk to a mesothelioma lawyer about your rights. They can help you seek compensation.

Additional Resources and Helpful Information for Asbestos Victims

If you’ve been injured by mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, keep in mind that there is a good chance that you’ll qualify for considerable compensation for pain, suffering, medical costs, and much more. Remember to fill out our form to get your free Financial Compensation Packet, with information on asbestos and mesothelioma lawyers.