Tacoma Dry Dock

Located in Washington State, Tacoma Boat and Drydock was a ship maintenance and construction facility. Before the late 1970s, Tacoma Drydock used asbestos in its operations. Asbestos exposure at the dry dock led to many workers developing life-threatening asbestos-related illnesses.

If you or a loved one suffer from mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, you may qualify for substantial compensation. 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.

Tacoma Drydocks  History

Little information exists on the history of Tacoma Drydocks. However, a well-known fact about the company is that it used dangerous asbestos products for many years.

The company created ships before shutting down before World War I. After it closed, the business was sold to Todd Shipyards.

Todd Shipyards went on to employ over 30,000 workers. Most of these people were exposed daily to asbestos as crew members, maintenance workers, construction workers, painters, welders, electricians, and more.

After World War II ended, Todd Shipyards sold the company to the U.S. Navy. It eventually became the Port of Tacoma. Today, the site is part of a Port Commencement Bay Industrial Development District redevelopment.

According to internal documents about Tacoma Drydocks, asbestos was used in the following:

• Gaskets
• Asbestos cement
• Packing materials
• Fireproofing sprays
• Fire bricks
• Boiler rooms
• Electrical fittings
• Ceilings
• Floor paneling
• Insulation for steam pipes
• Insulation for boilers
• Incinerators

Asbestos Use at Tacoma Drydocks

During its peak operation, Tacoma Drydocks used large amounts of asbestos. Most shipyards did the same thing before the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) placed strict regulations on asbestos use in the 1970s.

Before the EPA’s regulations, Tacoma Drydocks and a myriad of other shipyards relied on asbestos because of its cheap cost, its resistance to high heat and fire, and its ability to mix well with other ingredients.

Many types of workers at Tacoma Drydocks are at risk of developing a life-threatening illness.

Spouses and children of these workers are also at risk of developing asbestos-related illnesses via second-hand exposure. Most shipyards in the past didn’t require workers to wear protective gear, nor did they supply the gear.

Some shipyards added showers to the job site, but there were complaints from workers that there were only a few showers for hundreds of workers to use.

Most workers didn’t want to wait two hours to take a shower after a long workday. Instead, they returned home with asbestos-filled clothing and asbestos fibers in their hair and on their skin.

If you worked at Tacoma Drydocks, getting regular medical checkups and keeping all of your appointments is extremely important. Tell your physician you could be have been exposed to asbestos.

If you have loved ones or roommates that lived in the same home as you while you worked at Tacoma Drydocks, each person should also have regular medical checkups and inform their physicians they may have been exposed to second-hand asbestos.

Talk to an experienced asbestos attorney if you were exposed to asbestos at the Tacoma Drydocks. They can help you seek compensation.

Additional Help and Resources

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. Remember to fill out our form to get your free Financial Compensation Packet, with information on asbestos and mesothelioma lawyers in your area. If you have questions or need additional assistance, contact us at 800-793-4540.