USS Bainbridge (DLGN-25/CGN-25) — Asbestos in the Nuclear Destroyer Leader

USS Bainbridge (DLGN-25, later redesignated CGN-25 in 1975), commissioned on October 6, 1962, was a nuclear-powered guided missile destroyer leader and the only ship of her class, serving as a nuclear-powered escort for carrier battle groups throughout the Cold War. Built by Bethlehem Steel’s Quincy Shipbuilding Division in Quincy, Massachusetts, Bainbridge used two D2G pressurized water reactors providing steam to two geared steam turbine sets driving two shafts. Bainbridge participated in Operation Sea Orbit in 1964 — the historic circumnavigation of the globe by the all-nuclear task force comprising USS Enterprise (CVN-65), USS Long Beach (CGN-9), and USS Bainbridge (DLGN-25) — demonstrating the operational potential of nuclear-powered naval task forces. Armed with Terrier surface-to-air missiles and ASROC, Bainbridge served as a fleet air defense escort through the Cold War. Built in the early 1960s, USS Bainbridge incorporated asbestos-containing secondary steam system pipe insulation and hull construction materials consistent with the early 1960s nuclear propulsion construction specifications.

Bainbridge Nuclear Steam Plant Asbestos

Bainbridge’s two-reactor D2G nuclear steam plant incorporated asbestos in secondary steam systems:

• Secondary steam system pipe insulation — the secondary steam loop piping aboard Bainbridge carrying high-pressure steam from the two D2G reactor steam generators to the main propulsion turbines and ship’s service turbine generators incorporated asbestos-containing pipe insulation consistent with the early 1960s nuclear steam plant construction specifications. Engineering ratings working in Bainbridge’s engine rooms accumulated background asbestos exposure from the secondary steam system pipe insulation throughout their engineering watch assignments
• Main propulsion turbine steam supply insulation — the steam supply systems serving Bainbridge’s main propulsion turbines incorporated asbestos-containing pipe insulation and valve insulation consistent with the early 1960s construction period. MM(N) ratings maintaining main propulsion steam systems in Bainbridge’s machinery rooms worked in proximity to the steam supply insulation during maintenance
• SSTG and auxiliary steam system pipe insulation — Bainbridge’s ship’s service turbine generators and auxiliary steam systems incorporated asbestos-containing pipe insulation on steam supply and distribution piping consistent with the early 1960s construction specifications

Bainbridge Hull Construction Asbestos

Bainbridge’s 1962 construction incorporated asbestos throughout her hull interior:

• Engineering spaces and machinery room construction — Bainbridge’s engineering spaces were constructed using early 1960s construction materials incorporating asbestos-containing pipe insulation in the engineering space overhead and bulkheads consistent with the naval construction specifications of the period
• Crew berthing and working space construction — the crew working and living spaces throughout Bainbridge’s hull incorporated asbestos-containing interior construction materials consistent with the early 1960s construction specifications

VA Claims for USS Bainbridge 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 Bainbridge (DLGN-25/CGN-25) 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.