USS Long Beach (CGN-9), commissioned on September 9, 1961, was the world’s first nuclear-powered surface combatant and the only ship of her class. Built by Bethlehem Steel’s Quincy Shipbuilding Division in Quincy, Massachusetts, Long Beach was powered by two C1W pressurized water reactors providing steam to two geared steam turbine sets driving two shafts. Long Beach was designed as a carrier battle group escort combining guided missile air defense capability with nuclear propulsion to operate with nuclear carrier USS Enterprise (CVN-65) in a nuclear carrier battle group requiring no liquid fuel replenishment. Long Beach was armed with Talos long-range surface-to-air missiles, Terrier missiles, and ASROC, carrying a comprehensive suite of Cold War weapons making her one of the most capable surface combatants of her era. Built in 1961, USS Long Beach incorporated asbestos-containing secondary steam system pipe insulation and interior construction materials consistent with the early 1960s construction specifications of her commissioning period.

Long Beach Nuclear Steam Plant Asbestos

Long Beach’s two-reactor nuclear steam plant incorporated asbestos in secondary steam systems:

  • Secondary steam system pipe insulation — the secondary steam loop piping carrying high-pressure steam from the two C1W reactor steam generators to the main propulsion turbines and ship’s service turbine generators aboard Long Beach incorporated asbestos-containing pipe insulation consistent with the early 1960s nuclear steam plant construction specifications. Engineering ratings working in Long Beach’s engine rooms accumulated background asbestos exposure from the secondary steam system pipe insulation throughout their engineering watch assignments
  • Main propulsion turbine steam systems — the steam supply systems serving Long Beach’s two main propulsion turbine sets incorporated asbestos-containing pipe insulation and valve insulation consistent with the early 1960s construction. MM(N) ratings maintaining main propulsion steam systems in Long Beach’s machinery rooms worked in proximity to the steam supply insulation during turbine maintenance operations
  • Ship’s service turbine generator steam supply — Long Beach’s ship’s service turbine generators were served by steam supply piping with asbestos-containing insulation materials. EM ratings maintaining ship’s service electrical systems accumulated background asbestos exposure from the SSTG steam supply system insulation

Long Beach Hull Construction Asbestos

Long Beach’s 1961 construction incorporated asbestos throughout her hull:

  • Engineering machinery room construction — Long Beach’s engineering machinery rooms, pump rooms, and auxiliary machinery spaces were constructed using 1961 construction materials incorporating asbestos-containing pipe insulation and overhead insulation in the engineering space construction. Engineering ratings working in Long Beach’s engineering spaces accumulated background asbestos exposure from the engineering space construction materials
  • Crew berthing and working space construction — the crew berthing compartments and working spaces throughout Long Beach’s hull were constructed using 1961 interior construction materials incorporating asbestos-containing construction materials in the hull interior. Crew members serving aboard Long Beach during deployments accumulated background asbestos exposure from the ship’s interior construction

VA Claims for USS Long Beach Veterans

VA presumptive service connection under 38 CFR § 3.309(d) covers asbestos exposure aboard Navy nuclear surface combatants. Officers and crew members who served aboard USS Long Beach (CGN-9) 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 Long Beach

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 Presumptive Benefits — No Filing Deadline

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs recognizes mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, asbestosis, and pleural disease as conditions presumed to be service-connected for Navy veterans with documented asbestos exposure under 38 CFR § 3.309(d). No statute of limitations applies to VA disability compensation claims.

Available benefits may include monthly disability compensation, Dependency & Indemnity Compensation (DIC) for surviving spouses, priority VA healthcare enrollment, and Special Monthly Compensation for severe cases. Parallel claims against the asbestos bankruptcy trust funds established by the manufacturers of these products do not reduce VA compensation.

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.