Benham class fleet destroyers — 10 ships (USS Benham DD-397 through USS Trippe DD-403 and associated vessels, commissioned 1939–1940) — were late-prewar destroyers built at Bethlehem Steel San Francisco, Federal Shipbuilding, and other yards. Benham class ships served in both Pacific and Atlantic theaters throughout WWII, with USS Benham (DD-397) sunk at the Battle of Guadalcanal in November 1942. These ships were powered by high-pressure Babcock & Wilcox boilers driving Westinghouse or General Electric geared turbines producing approximately 42,800 shaft horsepower. As with all Navy destroyers of the 1930s and WWII era, asbestos insulation was used throughout the engineering spaces, steam distribution system, and turbine installations of these ships.

High-Pressure Steam Plant and Asbestos

Benham class destroyers used high-pressure steam propulsion with asbestos insulation:

  • Main boiler insulation — the Benham class high-pressure Babcock & Wilcox boilers used asbestos block insulation on boiler casings and asbestos refractory in firebox construction from original commissioning. Firemen and Boiler Tender ratings maintaining these boilers in the fire rooms worked in direct proximity to asbestos-insulated boiler surfaces throughout wartime Pacific and Atlantic operations
  • Main steam piping — the high-pressure main steam piping distributing steam from boilers to turbines in Benham class destroyers used asbestos pipe covering throughout. Engineering ratings on watch were in continuous proximity to these asbestos-insulated steam lines during underway operations
  • Turbine insulation — the geared turbine installations used asbestos-containing thermal insulation on turbine casing surfaces in the destroyer engine rooms

WWII Combat Operations

Benham class destroyers participated in major WWII naval campaigns:

  • Benham class ships served in the early Pacific campaign and Atlantic convoy escort operations, with engineering crew members serving continuous watches in confined, asbestos-insulated engineering spaces throughout wartime operations

VA Claims for Benham Class Veterans

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 served aboard Benham class destroyers and have since been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or asbestos-related lung cancer may qualify for VA disability benefits.

Product & Manufacturer Reference

The asbestos-containing products documented on U.S. Navy vessels and at shipyards are catalogued by manufacturer on AsbestosIndex. These records cross-reference which companies supplied which materials and to which facilities.

Pipe Covering & Block Insulation Thermal insulation applied to steam lines, valves, and equipment in engine rooms and fire rooms Marine Products Insulation, gaskets, and packing products specified for naval and commercial marine applications Boilers & Steam Equipment Boiler manufacturers and insulation products — central to the fire room exposure pathway Gaskets & Packing Sheet and ring gaskets used throughout piping flanges, valve bonnets, and pump housings Electrical Products Wire insulation, switchgear arc chutes, and panel liners used throughout electrical spaces Full Product Index Search all 200+ manufacturers and 1,500+ documented asbestos products on AsbestosIndex™

Navy Ratings Most Exposed to Asbestos Aboard Benham Class

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the public asbestos litigation record document that the following Navy ratings worked routinely in spaces where ACM was installed, maintained, ripped out, and replaced:

VA Disability Claims for Asbestos-Related Disease

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs evaluates asbestos claims individually. A veteran generally needs medical evidence of a current asbestos-related disease, service evidence supporting in-service asbestos exposure, and a medical opinion connecting the two. Ship assignments, Navy ratings, and equipment records can help document the exposure history but do not create automatic service connection.

Approved claims may provide monthly disability compensation and related benefits. Survivors may separately qualify for Dependency & Indemnity Compensation when the applicable requirements are met. Civil lawsuits and asbestos-trust claims use different standards; claimants should obtain individualized advice about how the processes interact.

How to file a VA disability claim: VA claims are filed directly with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs — not with a law firm. Start at VA.gov › Hazardous Materials Exposure, call 1‑800‑827‑1000, or get free help filing from a Veterans Service Organization: DAV, VFW, or American Legion.

VA Claims Guide on This Site › Compare: VA vs. Civil Lawsuit

Source notes: equipment-manifest entries (where shown) are sourced from public-record BUSHIPS (Bureau of Ships) documentation, NARA archives, and the public asbestos litigation record. Manufacturer attributions link to documented asbestos-product histories on AsbestosIndex.com where available. Nothing on this page constitutes medical or legal advice.