Omaha Class Light Cruisers (CL) — Asbestos in WWI-Era Cruiser Steam Plants

Omaha class light cruisers — ten ships (USS Omaha CL-4 through USS Concord CL-10, and USS Trenton CL-11 through USS Memphis CL-13, commissioned 1923–1925) — were scout cruiser designs developed from WWI-era requirements, providing the Navy with a light cruiser force in the interwar period and serving through WWII in second-line roles. Built at Todd Dry Dock and Construction (Seattle, Washington), Todd Shipbuilding (San Pedro, California), and Bethlehem Steel San Francisco, Omaha class ships were powered by twelve boilers (in four fire rooms) driving four sets of geared turbines. During WWII, Omaha class cruisers served in convoy escort, patrol, training, and secondary operations rather than front-line fleet combat.

WWI-Era Steam Plant and Asbestos

Omaha class light cruisers used large twelve-boiler steam plants with extensive asbestos insulation:

• Main boiler insulation — the twelve boilers in Omaha class cruisers’ four fire rooms used asbestos block insulation on boiler casings and asbestos-containing refractory materials in the firebox construction, all from the original 1923–1925 construction. Firemen and Boiler Tenders working in the cruiser’s four fire rooms maintained these boilers in continuous proximity to aging asbestos insulation throughout the ships’ WWII service
• Main steam system pipe insulation — the main steam piping from twelve boilers throughout these 555-foot cruisers was insulated with asbestos pipe covering from the original 1920s construction. Engineering personnel in the fire rooms and engine rooms were in continuous proximity to asbestos-insulated steam piping during underway operations and port maintenance periods
• Turbine insulation — the main propulsion turbines and reduction gear aboard Omaha class ships used asbestos-containing thermal insulation consistent with early 1920s cruiser construction

1920s Interior Construction

Omaha class ships used early 1920s construction materials throughout:

• The crew berthing, mess spaces, and working areas throughout these early interwar cruisers used 1920s construction materials including asbestos-containing deck covering, overhead insulation, and bulkhead products throughout the cruiser’s multi-deck interior

Extended Service Through WWII

Omaha class ships served through WWII in training and second-line roles:

• These early cruisers served in WWII escort, patrol, and training functions, with engineering crew members serving aboard ships carrying original 1920s asbestos construction materials that had been aging in service for fifteen to twenty years by the time WWII began

VA Claims for Omaha Class Veterans

VA presumptive service connection under 38 CFR § 3.309(d) covers asbestos exposure aboard Navy light cruisers. Engineering ratings and crew members who served aboard Omaha class light cruisers (CL-4 through CL-13) 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.