Originally named Squalus, the keel of the USS Sailfish (SS-192) was laid down by Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in 1937 and won 9 battle stars for World War II service, as well as multiple medals, including the American Defense Service Medal, the Presidential Unit Citation and the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal. Since it came to life when asbestos was a widely employed building material, the wall insulation on the submarine is very likely to have contained it. The submarine was decommissioned in 1945 and subsequently sold for scrapping. Asbestos consists of a group of 6 naturally occurring minerals composed of soft, flexible fibers that are resistant to heat, fire, electricity, and corrosion. These qualities make the mineral useful for insulation purposes on a number of Navy ships including aircraft carriers, destroyers, and transport vessels. If you served in the U.S Navy before 1980 and participated in duties such as the construction, overhaul, or repair of the ships, an experienced asbestos lawyer can help you understand your options and rights.
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