The USS William T. Powell (DE/DER-213) was a Buckley-class destroyer escort laid down on August 26, 1943, and launched on November 27, the same year. It was commissioned twice, the first time on March 28, 1944, under Lt. James L. Davenport’s command with the hull number DE-213, and served in the U.S. Navy for 13 years until it was decommissioned for the last time on January 17, 1958. During its activity, the ship carried a complement of 213 men on board and had its main missions in Bermuda, Panama, Casco Bay, Newfoundland, Texas, and Guantanamo Bay. After the decommissioning, the ship was struck from the Navy List on November 1, 1965. Several months later, the ship was sold to the North American Smelting Company in Delaware. Asbestos-containing products and materials were commonly found on the U.S. Navy, Coast Guard, Army Transport Service, and Merchant Marine ships until a few decades ago. If you think you were exposed to asbestos while serving aboard the USS William T. Powell (DE/DER-213), get a thorough medical examination and inform the physician of your concerns during the exam.
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