George Washington Class Ballistic Missile Submarines (SSBN-598) — Asbestos in Nuclear Fleet Ballistic Missile Submarines

George Washington class fleet ballistic missile submarines — five hulls (USS George Washington SSBN-598 through USS Sam Houston SSBN-609, commissioned 1959–1961) — were the world’s first operational nuclear fleet ballistic missile submarines, built by converting Skipjack-class hulls to accept the Polaris A-1 submarine-launched ballistic missile. The George Washington class was constructed at Electric Boat Division (Groton, Connecticut) and launched from 1959, giving the United States Navy its first sea-based nuclear deterrent force. George Washington class submarines were powered by the Westinghouse S5W pressurized water reactor driving a single-shaft geared steam turbine propulsion plant.

S5W Reactor Steam Plant and Asbestos

The S5W reactor steam plant in George Washington class submarines used asbestos-containing materials throughout the steam system:

• Main steam piping insulation — the high-pressure steam piping from the S5W steam generators through the main propulsion turbines used asbestos pipe covering in the submarine’s tight engineering machinery spaces. Machinist’s Mates performing steam system maintenance in the confined engineering spaces of these submarines worked routinely in proximity to asbestos-insulated piping throughout patrol cycles
• Turbine plant thermal insulation — the main propulsion turbines, ship’s service turbine generators, and reduction gear casings used asbestos-containing thermal insulation consistent with late-1950s nuclear submarine construction specifications
• Steam distribution valve packing — the numerous control valves in the steam distribution system used asbestos valve stem packing, disturbed during routine valve maintenance and repacking operations

Polaris Missile System and Submarine Interior

George Washington class submarines carried 16 Polaris A-1 or A-2 ballistic missiles in the submarine’s enlarged mid-body missile compartment:

• Missile compartment access — the missile compartment with its 16 Polaris launch tubes ran through the enlarged mid-body of the submarine, with crew members routinely working in the missile compartment during patrol
• Submarine interior insulation — the pressure hull interior construction throughout the George Washington class used asbestos-containing materials in overhead, deck, and bulkhead insulation consistent with late-1950s submarine construction standards

Submarine Deterrent Patrol Operations

George Washington class submarines conducted continuous deterrent patrols under Cold War strategic deterrence doctrine:

• Five-hull George Washington class submarines conducted hundreds of Polaris deterrent patrols from 1960 through the 1970s, with crew members spending extended periods in the submarine’s confined interior spaces throughout each 60-70 day patrol cycle
• Engineering division crew members aboard these submarines — primarily Machinist’s Mates and Electrician’s Mates — maintained steam plant components with asbestos-containing insulation throughout patrol operations

VA Claims for George Washington 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 George Washington class submarines during deterrent patrol operations and have since been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or asbestos-related lung cancer may qualify for VA disability benefits.

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.