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 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. 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.

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 Joseph Hewes 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.