Buckley class destroyer escorts — 154 ships in the DE-51 through DE-697 series (commissioned 1943–1945) — were the largest destroyer escort class of WWII, built primarily at Bethlehem Steel’s Hingham, Massachusetts and Charleston, South Carolina yards, and at other facilities. The Buckley class used turbo-electric propulsion — steam turbine generators driving electric propulsion motors — combining the reliability of electric drive with steam plant power. These ships were powered by two Babcock & Wilcox boilers generating steam for the turbo-electric system. The use of steam plant in the Buckley class created significant asbestos exposure in the boiler rooms and steam distribution systems, in addition to the asbestos-containing materials throughout the vessel’s interior construction.

Turbo-Electric Steam Plant and Asbestos

Buckley class turbo-electric propulsion systems used asbestos throughout:

  • Main boiler insulation — the two Babcock & Wilcox boilers in Buckley class ships used asbestos block insulation on boiler casings and asbestos-containing refractory in firebox construction from original commissioning. Firemen and Boiler Tender ratings maintaining these boilers in the fire rooms of these escort vessels worked in direct proximity to asbestos-insulated boiler surfaces throughout Atlantic and Pacific operations
  • Boiler steam piping — the main steam distribution piping from the boilers to the turbo-electric generator units used asbestos pipe covering throughout the confined machinery spaces of these escort vessels. Engineering ratings in the machinery spaces were in proximity to asbestos-insulated high-temperature steam piping during all underway operations
  • Turbo-generator unit insulation — the steam turbine generator sets providing power to the electric propulsion motors used asbestos-containing thermal insulation on turbine casing surfaces in the machinery spaces

Atlantic Convoy and Pacific Operations

Buckley class ships served extensively in both Atlantic and Pacific theaters:

  • Buckley class ships participated in Atlantic convoy escort operations, hunter-killer ASW group operations, and Pacific amphibious support throughout the later WWII period, with engineering crew members serving continuous watches in the boiler rooms and machinery spaces of these steam-powered escort vessels throughout wartime deployments

VA Claims for Buckley Class Veterans

VA presumptive service connection under 38 CFR § 3.309(d) covers asbestos exposure aboard Navy escort vessels. Engineering ratings who served aboard Buckley class destroyer escorts 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 Buckley 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.