The USS Grumium (AK-112) was a Crater-class cargo ship in the service of the US Navy in World War II. The ship was laid down under a MARCOM contract in November 1942 as a Liberty Ship named SS William G. McAdoo, by Permanente Metals Corporation in Richmond, California. It was converted to be used by the Navy by Todd Shipyards in Seattle, Washington, and commissioned in October 1943 with Lieutenant Commander B. J. Parylak in command. The ship transported drum gas, oil, and aviation fuel from San Francisco to Pago Pago, Kwajalein, and Eniwetok between November 1943 and May 1944 when it returned to San Francisco to be converted to an aviation support ship. Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous silicate mineral made up of sharp, tiny fibers that easily break off and become airborne and part of the dust. Once asbestos fibers are inhaled or ingested, they get stuck in the body causing damage that can lead to serious illness, especially a rare but aggressive kind of cancer called mesothelioma. Anyone who served in the U.S. Navy could be at risk of having mesothelioma or other asbestos illnesses. It is important to note that there are resources for affected veterans; the VA provides financial and medical assistance for proven asbestos exposure and resulting health conditions.
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