Worthington Pumps, based in Harrison, New Jersey, was one of the primary suppliers of boiler feed pumps, condensate extraction pumps, and auxiliary centrifugal pumps to the US Navy for steam propulsion plant service throughout World War II and the Cold War. Worthington’s boiler feed pumps were designed for the demanding high-temperature, high-pressure service of Navy steam plants — operating with feedwater at temperatures approaching 300°F and discharge pressures matching boiler operating pressure — and were installed in the engineering spaces of destroyers, cruisers, carriers, and auxiliaries using high-pressure steam propulsion plants.

Asbestos in Worthington Steam Plant Pumps

Worthington boiler feed pumps and condensate pumps operating in high-temperature steam plant service used asbestos-containing sealing materials throughout the era of their Navy service:

  • High-temperature gland packing on boiler feed pump shaft seals — asbestos braided packing rated for feedwater service temperatures, requiring regular adjustment and periodic replacement by Boiler Tenders and Machinist’s Mates during normal engineering plant maintenance
  • Mechanical seal gaskets on Worthington pumps equipped with mechanical shaft seals, using asbestos-containing gaskets between mechanical seal components rated for the hot feedwater service temperature
  • High-pressure flange gaskets connecting Worthington feed pump suction and discharge flanges to the feedwater system piping, using spiral wound or sheet asbestos gaskets at the high-pressure connections
  • Internal pump casing gaskets on multi-stage boiler feed pumps, disturbed during pump overhaul when individual pump stages were disassembled and reassembled

Boiler Tender Exposure

The Boiler Tender (BT) rating was the primary rate responsible for feedwater and condensate system operations in Navy steam plants, including the boiler feed pumps and condensate systems where Worthington equipment was installed:

  • Routine pump maintenance on boiler feed pumps — gland packing inspection and adjustment, pump bearing checks, feedwater system operations — brought Boiler Tenders into regular contact with Worthington pump equipment and its asbestos sealing components
  • Pump overhaul during shipyard availability periods involved Boiler Tender participation in feed pump disassembly and reassembly with replacement asbestos-containing gaskets and packing
  • Engineering watch standing in the fireroom placed BTs in the same spaces as the operating boiler feed pumps for extended periods during steaming operations

Worthington Pumps held Navy supply contracts spanning the WWII construction period and the Cold War destroyer and cruiser programs. Their feed pump equipment was specified in BUSHIPS engineering plant specifications for steam-powered surface combatants, and Worthington feed pumps appear in the engineering plant records of multiple named vessel classes across the surface combatant fleet.

VA Claims for Veterans Exposed to Worthington Pumps 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. Boiler Tenders and Machinist’s Mates who performed boiler feed pump maintenance involving asbestos packing and gasket replacement and have since been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or asbestos-related lung cancer may qualify for VA disability benefits.