Newport News Shipyard

Newport News Shipyard was once one of the largest shipbuilders in the United States. It used asbestos-containing products in many operations. The handling of these products exposed unknowing workers to asbestos, leading to cases of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.

If you or a loved one suffer from mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, you may qualify for substantial compensation. Currently, there is over $30 billion in asbestos trust funds, awaiting those who’ve been diagnosed with an asbestos illness. Fill out our form to get a free Financial Compensation Packet. You’ll learn about the experienced mesothelioma lawyers in your area, how to get paid in 90 days, how to file a claim for the asbestos trust funds, and more.

Newport News Shipyard History

Newport News Shipyard started as the Chesapeake Dry Dock & Construction Company in 1886, in Newport News, Virginia, along the James River. Years later, its name changed to Newport News Shipyard as it began building both naval and commercial vessels.

Collis P. Huntington, an industrialist, built the shipyard, and by 1891, Newport News Shipbuilding built its first vessel. The shipyard built several other ships within the next six years, including the  USS Nashville, USS Wilmington,  and USS Helena.

In 1927, Newport News Shipyard built the GRT SS California, one of the largest merchant ships at the time to be built in the United States. Several other vessels followed, including Virginia, Pennsylvania, President Coolidge, and SS America. 

During World War II, the shipyard was given a $22 million investment by the U.S. Navy. The shipyard built numerous aircraft carriers, cruisers, battleships, and more.

By the end of the war, the shipyard built over 240 ships and was awarded an “E” for excellence pennant by the U.S. Navy.

In 1960, Newport News built the Robert E. Lee, the shipyard’s first nuclear submarine. In 1961 the USS Enterprise was launched, followed by the USS Nimitz in 1975. During the 1970s, Newport News Shipyard also launched two of the biggest tanks ever built and several liquefied natural gas carriers.

In 2008, Newport News Shipyard was combined into the Northrop Grumman Ship Systems. In 2011, the shipyard was combined with Ingalls Shipyard to create the Huntington Ingalls Industries, owned by Northrop Grumman.

Today, Newport News Shipyard is the largest industrial employer in Virginia. It concentrates on building nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and submarines for the Navy.

Newport News Shipyard and Asbestos

As with almost every other shipyard in the past in the U.S., Newport News Shipyard relied on asbestos for its resistance to heat and fire, affordability, and ease of use.

Subsequently, Newport News Shipyard and many other businesses faced numerous asbestos-related lawsuits from former yard employees who developed life-threatening illnesses after prolonged exposure.

One such worker was Rubert “Bert” Minton, a former ship fitter exposed to asbestos while working on 17 Exxon oil tankers at the direction of his employer, Newport News Shipyard. A jury awarded Minton $17.5 million against Exxon, but it was later, unfortunately, tossed out.

Secondary Exposure

More than 30,000 people worked at Newport News Shipyard during World War II. The majority of them were exposed to asbestos daily. Other people, such as children and spouses, were sometimes exposed to asbestos via second-hand exposure as shipyard employees returned home with dangerous asbestos fibers in their clothing, hair, and skin.

Decades after working at the shipyard, many employees, along with their family members, developed malignant mesothelioma and asbestos-related lung cancer. Some still live with life-threatening illnesses today, while others have passed away.

Contact an asbestos law firm if you worked at Newport News and now have a diagnosis of an asbestos illness.

Additional Help and Resources 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. Don’t forget to fill out our form to get our free Financial Compensation Packet, filled with information on the experienced asbestos and mesothelioma attorneys.