The California class nuclear-powered guided missile cruisers — USS California (CGN-36) commissioned 1974 and USS South Carolina (CGN-37) commissioned 1975 — were purpose-built nuclear carrier battle group escorts designed to serve alongside nuclear carriers in task forces requiring no liquid fuel replenishment. Built at Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia, California class cruisers used two D2G pressurized water reactors providing steam to two geared steam turbine sets driving two shafts. Armed with Standard Missiles, ASROC, and Harpoon anti-ship missiles, California class cruisers served as the primary surface air defense and anti-submarine warfare escorts for Pacific Fleet nuclear carrier battle groups through the Cold War. Built during the early 1970s, California class cruisers incorporated asbestos-containing secondary steam system pipe insulation and hull construction materials consistent with the early 1970s nuclear cruiser construction specifications.

California Class Nuclear Steam Plant Asbestos

California class cruisers incorporated asbestos in secondary steam system construction:

  • Secondary steam system pipe insulation — the secondary steam loop piping aboard California class cruisers carrying high-pressure steam from the two D2G reactor steam generators to the main propulsion turbines incorporated asbestos-containing pipe insulation consistent with the early 1970s nuclear steam plant construction specifications. Engineering ratings working in California class engine rooms accumulated background asbestos exposure from the secondary steam system pipe insulation during engineering watch standing
  • Main propulsion turbine steam supply and SSTG piping insulation — the steam supply systems serving California class main propulsion turbines and ship’s service turbine generators incorporated asbestos-containing pipe insulation consistent with the early 1970s construction period. MM(N) and EM(N) ratings maintaining steam-powered equipment in California class machinery rooms worked in proximity to the steam system insulation during maintenance

California Class Hull Construction Asbestos

California class cruisers’ early 1970s construction incorporated hull asbestos:

  • Engineering space and machinery room construction — California class engineering spaces were constructed using early 1970s construction materials incorporating asbestos-containing pipe insulation in the engineering space construction. Engineering ratings working in California class engineering spaces accumulated background asbestos exposure from the construction materials
  • Crew berthing and working space construction — the crew living spaces and working areas within California class hulls incorporated interior construction materials consistent with the early 1970s naval construction specifications

VA Claims for California 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. Officers and crew members who served aboard California class nuclear cruisers 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 California 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.