USS Bainbridge (DLGN-25, redesignated CGN-25 in 1975), commissioned October 6, 1962 at Bethlehem Steel (Quincy, Massachusetts), was the world’s first nuclear-powered escort vessel and the smallest nuclear-powered surface warship in US Navy service. Powered by two General Electric D2G pressurized water reactors driving two shaft geared steam turbines, USS Bainbridge served as part of the nuclear task force with Enterprise (CVN-65) and Long Beach (CGN-9) during Operation Sea Orbit in 1964. Bainbridge was homeported at NS Bremerton, Washington, for most of her service life and decommissioned in 1996.

D2G Reactor Steam Plant and Asbestos

USS Bainbridge’s D2G nuclear plant used asbestos-containing materials in the steam system:

  • Main steam system insulation — the steam piping from the D2G reactor steam generators through the main propulsion turbines and ship’s service turbine generators used asbestos pipe covering and insulation materials in the 1962 original construction. Machinist’s Mates performing steam plant maintenance aboard USS Bainbridge worked in proximity to asbestos-insulated steam piping throughout the destroyer leader’s operational life
  • Turbine and generator insulation — the propulsion turbines and electrical turbine generators used asbestos-containing insulation lagging consistent with early-1960s nuclear surface ship construction specifications
  • Engineering space thermal insulation — the bulkhead and overhead insulation in Bainbridge’s engineering spaces used asbestos-containing materials throughout the 1962 hull construction

Nuclear Task Force Service

USS Bainbridge participated in historic nuclear surface force operations:

  • Operation Sea Orbit (1964) — Bainbridge sailed with Enterprise (CVN-65) and Long Beach (CGN-9) in a 65-day circumnavigation of the globe without refueling, with Bainbridge crew members living in the ship’s asbestos-containing interior spaces throughout the entire circumnavigation
  • Extended Pacific Fleet deployments through the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s with crew members continuously in the ship’s asbestos-containing engineering spaces

Ship Interior Construction

USS Bainbridge’s 1962 construction used the standard asbestos-containing materials of that era:

  • Accommodation and operational spaces — the berthing, mess, and working spaces in Bainbridge’s hull used asbestos floor tile, ceiling tile, and bulkhead insulation consistent with early-1960s naval construction standards
  • Superstructure construction — Bainbridge’s superstructure and working spaces used asbestos-containing materials in fireproofing and space construction

VA Claims for USS Bainbridge Veterans

VA presumptive service connection under 38 CFR § 3.309(d) covers asbestos exposure aboard nuclear-powered surface combatants. Engineering ratings and crew members who served aboard USS Bainbridge (DLGN-25/CGN-25) 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 Bainbridge

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.