Joseph Hewes Class Frigate (FF-1078) — Asbestos in the Knox Class Variant Frigate

USS Joseph Hewes (FF-1078) and related Brooke class and Knox class derived frigates built during the Cold War used the Knox class hull form with the same Westinghouse single-shaft steam turbine and Babcock & Wilcox boiler propulsion arrangement that characterized all Knox-type frigates. Built at Avondale Shipyards in New Orleans, Louisiana as part of the extensive Knox and Knox-derived frigate building program, these ocean escort frigates served in the carrier battle group ASW escort role throughout the Cold War. The frigates in the Knox class family — including the Brooke class (FFG-1 through FFG-6), Knox class (FF-1052 through FF-1097), and related escort vessels — shared the same fundamental steam propulsion plant incorporating Babcock & Wilcox boilers and Westinghouse main propulsion turbines, with asbestos-containing boiler insulation and steam plant pipe insulation consistent with the construction specifications of their mid-1960s to mid-1970s building period.

Joseph Hewes Class Steam Plant Asbestos

Joseph Hewes class frigates incorporated Knox-type steam plant asbestos throughout:

• Babcock & Wilcox boiler casing insulation — the Babcock & Wilcox boilers aboard Joseph Hewes class and Knox-derived frigates incorporated asbestos-containing insulation on the boiler casings and steam drum surfaces consistent with the boiler construction specifications of the mid-1960s through early 1970s. Boilermen performing boiler maintenance in the frigate firerooms worked in proximity to the asbestos-containing boiler casing insulation throughout their engineering watch assignments
• High-pressure steam main pipe insulation — the high-pressure steam mains connecting the boilers to the Westinghouse single-shaft main propulsion turbine incorporated asbestos-containing pipe insulation consistent with the Knox-type steam plant construction specifications. Engineering ratings working in Knox-type frigate engine rooms accumulated background asbestos exposure from the steam main pipe insulation
• Westinghouse main propulsion turbine insulation — the Westinghouse geared steam turbine unit on the Knox class single-shaft arrangement incorporated asbestos-containing turbine casing insulation consistent with the Cold War steam turbine construction. Machinist’s Mates performing turbine maintenance worked in proximity to the turbine casing insulation during each turbine maintenance evolution
• Auxiliary steam system pipe insulation — the auxiliary steam systems serving hotel services and auxiliary machinery aboard Knox-type frigates incorporated asbestos-containing pipe insulation throughout the auxiliary steam distribution piping in the engineering spaces

VA Claims for Joseph Hewes Class and Knox-Type Frigate Veterans

VA presumptive service connection under 38 CFR § 3.309(d) covers asbestos exposure from Navy frigate steam plant service. Machinist’s Mates, Boilermen, and engineering ratings who served aboard Knox class-derived frigates 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.