The Levingston Ship Building Co. laid down the auxiliary ocean tug USS Bagaduce (ATA-194) on 7 November 1944 in Orange, Texas; launched it on 4 December 1944; and commissioned it at Orange on 14 February 1945, with Lieutenant William J. Bryan in command. After two-berth shifting operations in early May 1945, the USS Bagaduce (ATA-194) departed towards the western Pacific on 23 May 1945, towed by a barracks ship. It docked at Leyte, Philippines, on 9 July 1945, via Eniwetok, Guam, and Saipan. Through September, the auxiliary tug operated in the central Pacific, hauling equipment between Kwajalein, Eniwetok, and Guam. Asbestos-containing products can be found on almost all U.S. Navy vessels built prior to the late 1970s. Regrettably, studies discovered that many Navy ships, including the USS Bagaduce (ATA-194), were insulated with asbestos. Due to the fact that the symptoms of asbestos exposure do not manifest themselves for decades, many of those who served on these ships may still be unaware of the consequences. Individuals who served on these ships are strongly advised to have a comprehensive examination, since they may be at an elevated risk of developing a range of asbestos-related diseases, including lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis.
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