The SS Red Oak Victory is the last surviving vessel of the 747 ships built at the Kaiser Richmond Shipyards, launched in 1944 and preserved today at Richmond, California. Unlike most Victory ships she was commissioned into the U.S. Navy as USS Red Oak Victory (AK-235), serving as a fleet ammunition ship in the Pacific with a full Navy crew.
Asbestos-Containing Materials Aboard the Red Oak Victory
Like other WWII Victory ships of her era, the Red Oak Victory was built and maintained with asbestos-containing materials concentrated in her machinery spaces. Per public shipbuilding and litigation records, asbestos was allegedly used in materials of this construction era, including:
- Boiler-room and engine-room lagging — insulation on the oil-fired boilers, steam drums, and steam turbines
- Steam and exhaust pipe insulation — pipe covering and block insulation throughout the engineering spaces
- Gaskets and valve packing — in steam, feedwater, and fuel-oil systems
- Turbine casings, evaporators, and auxiliary machinery insulation
- Bulkhead and overhead panel insulation in machinery and habitability spaces
These materials were most hazardous when disturbed during maintenance, repair, or overhaul — releasing airborne fibers into the enclosed machinery spaces where the crew worked.
Who Was Exposed Aboard the Red Oak Victory
Victory ships were driven by an oil-fired steam-turbine plant, and asbestos insulation lined the boilers, turbines, and steam piping in the engineering spaces. The Navy crew — especially the engineering ratings who stood watches and performed maintenance in the fire and engine rooms — worked in and around asbestos-containing lagging that released fibers when disturbed.
VA Benefits for Navy Veterans
USS Red Oak Victory was a commissioned U.S. Navy ship, so her crew’s service is qualifying military service for VA purposes. Navy veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, asbestosis, or pleural disease may qualify for VA disability compensation when the record shows in-service asbestos exposure, a current diagnosis, and a medical link between them.
Diagnosed with mesothelioma after exposure aboard the Red Oak Victory? Navy veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease after exposure aboard the Red Oak Victory may be able to pursue a claim against the makers of the asbestos products used aboard. Speak with O’Brien Law Firm — (314) 237-6461
Documented asbestos records are derived from publicly filed asbestos litigation and public shipbuilding records addressing vessels of this construction era. RightsWatch Media is an independent publisher, not a law firm; this is not legal or medical advice.
