The USS Cape Gloucester (CVE-109) was a Commencement Bay-class escort carrier laid down in November 1943 and launched on September 12, the following year. It was commissioned on March 5, 1945, with the hull number CVE-109 under Capt. J. W. Harris’ command and served in the US Navy for 1 year until it was decommissioned on November 5, 1946. During its activity, the ship carried a complement of 1066 men on board and had its main missions in Leyte, Pearl Harbor, Okinawa, Nagasaki, and New Zealand. After the decommissioning, the ship was struck from the Navy List on April 1, 1971. For the services brought to the country during World War II, the USS Cape Gloucester received 1 battle star. On Navy ships, the greatest risk of exposure to asbestos fibers occurred among insulation workers. The removal of asbestos-containing pipe or boiler insulation material during “rip out” or “delagging” poses the special hazard of high dust concentrations in confined space below deck with poor ventilation. Other workers, including boiler tenders, mechanics, machinist mates, hull technicians, were also at risk of exposure, both ashore and afloat.
760-621-6147
