Cannon class destroyer escorts — 72 ships (DE-99 through DE-739 series, commissioned 1943–1945) — were WWII mass-production ASW escort vessels built at Western Pipe and Steel, Federal Shipbuilding, Tampa Ship Repair, and other yards to meet the critical demand for convoy escort vessels in the Battle of the Atlantic and Pacific operations. Unlike the steam turbine destroyers, Cannon class ships were powered by diesel-electric propulsion — four General Motors 16-278A diesel generators driving two electric motors — giving them good range and reliability for escort operations. Despite diesel-electric propulsion rather than steam turbines, Cannon class ships used asbestos-containing materials throughout the vessel in piping insulation, machinery spaces, and shipboard construction consistent with WWII-era naval construction specifications.

Diesel-Electric Machinery and Asbestos

Cannon class diesel-electric propulsion systems used asbestos-containing materials:

  • Diesel engine exhaust system insulation — the diesel generator exhaust piping and exhaust systems in Cannon class ships used asbestos-containing pipe insulation on the hot exhaust lines leading from the diesel generators through the machinery spaces and to the ship’s exterior. Enginemen maintaining these diesel systems worked in proximity to asbestos-insulated exhaust piping in the confined machinery spaces
  • Diesel engine auxiliary system insulation — the fresh water cooling and oil systems associated with the Cannon class diesel generators used asbestos-containing gasket materials in the engine room piping system flanges and asbestos pipe covering on the hot water distribution piping in the machinery spaces
  • Electric motor room insulation — the propulsion motor rooms in Cannon class ships used military construction with asbestos-containing materials in the motor room piping and machinery installation, consistent with WWII-era naval construction

Shipboard Construction and Asbestos

Cannon class ships used WWII-era construction with asbestos throughout:

  • Interior accommodation spaces — the crew berthing compartments, wardroom, and mess spaces aboard Cannon class ships used WWII-era military construction with asbestos deck tile and asbestos-containing materials in the accommodation space construction
  • Piping systems throughout ship — the fresh water, fire main, and auxiliary piping systems throughout Cannon class ships used asbestos-containing gasket materials in the pipe flange connections and asbestos pipe covering on hot water and steam lines throughout the vessel

VA Claims for Cannon 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 and crew members who served aboard Cannon 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 Cannon 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.