Torpedoman’s Mates — TM rating — served aboard submarines (SS, SSK, SSN, SSBN), destroyers (DD, DDG, DE), and torpedo boats (PT), as well as at naval torpedo stations and torpedo overhaul facilities. Navy TMs performed maintenance on Mk 14, Mk 18, Mk 37, Mk 48, and other torpedoes, including propulsion system disassembly, warhead handling, and torpedo tube maintenance. TMs also maintained associated torpedo handling equipment aboard ships, including torpedo tubes, ejection systems, and compressed air starting systems. Naval torpedo stations — including the Naval Torpedo Station at Keyport, Washington and the Naval Torpedo Station at Newport, Rhode Island — performed torpedo overhaul operations where TMs worked on torpedo propulsion and guidance components that incorporated asbestos-containing materials.

Torpedo Maintenance and Asbestos Exposure

Torpedo maintenance work brought TMs into contact with asbestos-containing components:

  • Torpedo propulsion system gaskets — torpedo propulsion systems — both steam-driven and electric-drive units — used asbestos-containing compressed fiber gaskets in the propulsion system valve and cylinder head assemblies. Torpedoman’s Mates performing torpedo propulsion system overhaul removed and replaced asbestos-containing gasket materials in the torpedo propulsion assemblies during periodic maintenance cycles, releasing asbestos fiber from deteriorated gasket materials during removal
  • Compressed air flask and valve packing — the compressed air charging systems and high-pressure air flasks used in torpedo propulsion and ejection systems incorporated asbestos rope packing and asbestos gasket materials in the high-pressure air valve assemblies. TMs performing air flask valve maintenance and rebuilding operations worked with asbestos-containing valve packing materials
  • Torpedo tube packing and sealing materials — the torpedo tubes on surface ships and submarines used asbestos-containing packing and gasket materials in the tube breach door sealing systems and the flooding valve assemblies. Torpedoman’s Mates maintaining torpedo tubes — including periodic tube overhauls requiring breach door removal — worked with asbestos-containing tube sealing materials

Submarine TM Berthing and Ship Construction Asbestos

TMs assigned to submarine billets accumulated additional asbestos exposure from submarine construction:

  • Submarine engineering spaces proximity — Torpedoman’s Mates aboard submarines — particularly older fleet boats (SS) and early nuclear submarines — worked and lived in vessels with asbestos-containing insulation throughout the submarine’s piping and machinery systems. TMs in the forward torpedo room worked in proximity to the submarine’s bow compartment systems, which incorporated asbestos insulation in the compressed air systems and associated piping

Shore-based torpedo overhaul facilities used asbestos-containing building materials:

  • Torpedo overhaul shop buildings — the torpedo overhaul shops at Naval Torpedo Station Keyport, Naval Torpedo Station Newport, and other torpedo overhaul activities used WWII-era and Cold War military industrial construction with asbestos-containing materials in the overhaul facility building stock. TMs working extended shore-duty assignments in torpedo overhaul facilities accumulated asbestos exposure from the facility construction in addition to the asbestos-containing torpedo component materials

VA Claims for TM Rating Veterans

VA presumptive service connection under 38 CFR § 3.309(d) covers asbestos exposure in torpedo maintenance operations and aboard Navy ships. Torpedoman’s Mates who performed torpedo overhaul operations involving asbestos-containing gasket and packing materials and have since been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or asbestos-related lung cancer may qualify for VA disability benefits.