Borg-Warner Corporation — Asbestos in Navy Centrifugal Pumps and Mechanical Seals
By Rights Watch Media Group LLC
•June 22, 2026
•
2 min read
Borg-Warner Corporation, a major diversified manufacturer headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, operated the Byron Jackson pump division manufacturing centrifugal pumps for industrial and marine fluid handling applications — including pumps used in US Navy auxiliary engineering systems aboard surface ships and submarines. Byron Jackson centrifugal pumps (marketed under both the Byron Jackson and Borg-Warner names) appeared in Navy auxiliary seawater systems, freshwater service, bilge systems, and fuel oil transfer applications throughout the fleet.
Asbestos in Borg-Warner/Byron Jackson Pump Components
Byron Jackson pumps used asbestos-containing materials in pump shaft sealing and casing joint sealing:
- Mechanical shaft seals with asbestos components — early Byron Jackson centrifugal pumps used mechanical shaft seals with asbestos-containing seal face materials or asbestos packing rings in the seal assembly. Machinist’s Mates and Hull Technicians replacing failed shaft seals on Byron Jackson auxiliary pumps worked with asbestos-containing seal components in the pump overhaul process
- Stuffing box packing — older Byron Jackson pump designs using compression packing stuffing boxes rather than mechanical seals used asbestos-impregnated braided packing in the stuffing box, disturbed at each repacking interval during routine pump maintenance
- Pump casing gaskets — the bolted split-casing design used in some Byron Jackson centrifugal pumps used asbestos-containing gaskets at the casing split joint, disturbed at each major pump overhaul requiring casing disassembly
Auxiliary Engineering System Applications
Borg-Warner/Byron Jackson pumps served in Navy auxiliary engineering applications:
- Auxiliary seawater service pumps — seawater cooling pumps serving auxiliary machinery coolers, main condenser vacuum maintenance, and general auxiliary cooling service used Byron Jackson centrifugal pumps throughout the surface ship fleet
- Bilge and drainage pumps — the bilge pumping systems aboard surface ships and submarines used centrifugal pump designs for normal bilge drainage maintenance
- Freshwater service pumps — fresh water service pumps supplying domestic water and auxiliary cooling used Byron Jackson pumps in the ship’s freshwater distribution system
VA Claims for Veterans Exposed to Borg-Warner Corporation Products
VA evaluates asbestos-related disability claims on a case-by-case basis. Veterans generally need evidence of in-service asbestos exposure, a current asbestos-related diagnosis, and a medical link between them. Engineering ratings who performed maintenance on Borg-Warner/Byron Jackson and other pump manufacturers’ products with asbestos-containing shaft seals and gaskets and have since been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or asbestos-related lung cancer may qualify for VA disability benefits.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by reading this site. References to ships, shipyards, companies, products, and asbestos-containing materials are drawn from public VA records, NARA archives, EPA/OSHA databases, and public litigation records. All references reflect what has been documented or alleged in publicly filed records. Consult a licensed physician for medical guidance and a qualified attorney for legal advice regarding your specific situation.
Connect With a Navy Asbestos & Mesothelioma Attorney
Navy veterans and civilian shipyard workers diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or asbestos-related lung cancer may have grounds for a civil claim against the asbestos product manufacturers whose materials were installed aboard. O'Brien Law Firm represents veterans and their families in the civil track at no upfront cost — separate from any VA disability benefits you may be eligible for.
Living with a diagnosis?
If you were diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, a filing deadline may already be running. You may have a legal claim now — and claims can often be pursued even if the company is out of business.
Lost a loved one to mesothelioma?
Surviving spouses and children may pursue a wrongful-death claim and asbestos-trust recovery on a loved one's behalf — a separate deadline that can run from the date of passing.
- Free case evaluation — no obligation to hire
- No attorney fee unless we make a financial recovery
- Personal-injury and wrongful-death claims both evaluated
- Civil claims against asbestos manufacturers & bankruptcy trust funds
- Maritime statute of limitations: 3 years from diagnosis (46 U.S.C. § 30106)
- Runs in parallel with VA benefits — civil recovery does not reduce VA disability compensation
O'Brien Law Firm
Civil mesothelioma & asbestos litigation — veterans and their families.
VA disability benefits are a separate government process. To file a VA disability claim for asbestos exposure, visit VA.gov › Hazardous Materials Exposure, call 1‑800‑827‑1000, or contact a Veterans Service Organization (DAV, VFW, American Legion) for free claim assistance.
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