Benson class fleet destroyers — 30 ships (USS Benson DD-421 through DD-464, commissioned 1940–1943) — were an extensively produced WWII-era destroyer design built at Bethlehem Steel’s Fore River yard, Federal Shipbuilding, and other yards. The Benson class design was also the basis for the related Livermore (DD-429) sub-class. Benson class destroyers served in both Atlantic and Pacific theaters from early in WWII through war’s end, participating in Atlantic convoy escort, North African invasion support, and Pacific operations. These ships were powered by four Babcock & Wilcox boilers driving two sets of Westinghouse or General Electric geared turbines. As with all Navy combatants of the period, asbestos insulation was used throughout the engineering spaces, steam piping, and machinery of these ships.

High-Pressure Steam Plant and Asbestos

Benson class destroyers used high-pressure steam propulsion with asbestos throughout:

  • Main boiler insulation — the four Babcock & Wilcox boilers in Benson class destroyers used asbestos block insulation on boiler casings and asbestos-containing refractory in firebox construction. Firemen and Boiler Tender ratings maintaining these boilers worked in the confined fire rooms of these destroyers in direct proximity to asbestos-insulated boiler surfaces throughout Atlantic and Pacific operations
  • Main steam piping insulation — the main steam piping from the boiler rooms to the turbine rooms used asbestos pipe covering throughout the engineering spaces. Engineering ratings on watch in the engine rooms were in continuous proximity to asbestos-insulated high-pressure steam piping during underway periods
  • Turbine and reduction gear insulation — the Westinghouse or GE geared turbines and associated reduction gear sets used asbestos-containing thermal insulation on turbine casing surfaces throughout the ship’s service life

WWII Atlantic and Pacific Operations

Benson class destroyers served in critical WWII operations:

  • Benson class ships participated in the critical Atlantic convoy escort campaign, North African invasion operations, and Pacific fleet operations from 1941 through 1945, with engineering ratings serving extended watches in the confined asbestos-insulated engineering spaces of these ships throughout wartime service

VA Claims for Benson Class Veterans

VA presumptive service connection under 38 CFR § 3.309(d) covers asbestos exposure aboard Navy destroyers. Engineering ratings and crew members who served aboard Benson 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 Benson 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 Presumptive Benefits — No Filing Deadline

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs recognizes mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, asbestosis, and pleural disease as conditions presumed to be service-connected for Navy veterans with documented asbestos exposure under 38 CFR § 3.309(d). No statute of limitations applies to VA disability compensation claims.

Available benefits may include monthly disability compensation, Dependency & Indemnity Compensation (DIC) for surviving spouses, priority VA healthcare enrollment, and Special Monthly Compensation for severe cases. Parallel claims against the asbestos bankruptcy trust funds established by the manufacturers of these products do not reduce VA compensation.

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.