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The USS Cleburne (APA-73), a Gilliam-class attack transport ship, served in the United States Navy during World War II. She was sponsored by Mrs. J.E. Trainer and named in honor of Confederate Major General Patrick Cleburne. The USS Cleburne's keel was laid down at Consolidated Steel Corporation in Wilmington, California. The USS Cleburne (APA-73) was designed to transport troops and cargo close to shore during invasions in World War II. The ship transported twenty-seven officers and 295 enlisted men and was armed to engage both surface and air targets.
Technical Features of the USS Cleburne (APA-73)
Class and type: Gilliam-class attack transport
Launch date: 27 September 1944
Commissioning date: 22 December 1944
Decommissioning date: 7 June 1946
Displacement: approx. 4,247 tons
Length: 426 feet (130 meters)
Draft: 16 feet (4.9 meters)
Beam: 58 feet (18 meters)
Speed: 17 + knots
Complement: 322 (27 officers, 295 enlisted)
Propulsion: Westinghouse turbo-electric drive, Design shaft horsepower 6,000
Armament: 10 x single 20mm gun mounts, 4 x twin 40mm gun mounts, 1x 5"/38 caliber dual-purpose gun mount
History of the USS Cleburne (APA-73)
The USS Cleburne (APA-73) was launched on September 27 and commissioned on December 22, 1944, under Lt. Comdr. F. T. Callaghan's command. The ship received the hull number APA-73 and served in the US Navy until she was decommissioned on June 7, 1946. From 12 February 1945 to 10 June, the Cleburne made two trips from West Beast ports to conduct training in the Hawaiian Islands. On her way back, the ship transported hospital patients and passengers. The USS Cleburne sailed from San Francisco on 28 June with the mission to transport troops to the Western Pacific - to ports in the Philippines, Eniwetok, Guam, Ulithi, Okinawa, Japan, and Jinsen, Korea. The ship arrived in Portland, Oregon, on 13 November. On 7 December, she sailed with the mission to transport troops to Shanghai and Tsingtao, China, and returned to San Francisco on 13 February 1946. In March 1946, she sailed to Pearl Harbor. The USS Cleburne was decommissioned on June 7, 1946, and assigned to "Operation Crossroads" as a target in the atomic bomb tests at Bikini Atoll. After the tests, she was towed back to San Francisco. In July 1947, the USS Cleburne was delivered to the Maritime Commission and placed in the reserve fleet. During World War II, the ship transported a complement of 322 people on board. The USS Cleburne's prime missions were in San Francisco, Eniwetok, Ulithi, Guam, Jinsen, Tsingtao, and Pearl Harbor. The ship was scrapped in June 1965.
Asbestos Risk on the USS Cleburne (APA-73)
The USS Cleburne was built when asbestos was extensively used in the shipbuilding industry. Due to its properties, such as high temperatures and corrosion resistance, asbestos was considered an ideal material to insulate steam pipes, boilers, incinerators, and other types of ship parts and equipment. Veterans who served aboard the USS Cleburne or shipyard workers who were involved in the maintenance, repair, or demolition of the ship were at risk of developing severe asbestos-related diseases. Veterans were also exposed to asbestos in mess halls, sleeping quarters, and other confined spaces with poor ventilation.
Have You Been Exposed to Asbestos on the USS Cleburne (APA-73)
Veterans and shipyard workers who served on the USS Cleburne (APA-73) or participated in her building, repair, or dismantling were exposed to dangerous levels of asbestos. Prolonged asbestos exposure can lead to serious diseases that often have a long latency period, including non-cancerous diseases like asbestosis or COPD and cancerous conditions like mesothelioma and lung, throat, or stomach cancer. Veterans who served on the USS Cleburne (APA-73) should consult a doctor if they experience symptoms like shortness of breath, dry cough, chest pain, or wheezing. Upon a clear cancer diagnosis, our team will connect you with the best professionals if you are seeking financial compensation.