USS South Carolina (CGN-37), second ship of the California class nuclear-powered guided missile cruisers, was commissioned January 25, 1974 at the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company (Newport News, Virginia). South Carolina was powered by two D2G naval reactors providing steam to main propulsion turbines and auxiliary systems. Designed as carrier battle group escort vessels, South Carolina and sister ship USS California (CGN-36) provided anti-air warfare and command capability for carrier strike groups during Cold War operations. South Carolina served through the 1970s and 1980s homeported at NS Norfolk before decommissioning in 1999.

Nuclear Plant Secondary Systems and Asbestos

USS South Carolina’s nuclear propulsion plant secondary steam systems used asbestos-containing materials:

  • Secondary steam loop insulation — the steam secondary systems from South Carolina’s reactor plant to the main propulsion turbines used asbestos-insulated steam piping in the engineering spaces. Nuclear-trained Machinist’s Mates and Engineering Laboratory Technicians maintaining South Carolina’s secondary plant worked in proximity to asbestos-insulated steam distribution piping in the ship’s nuclear engineering compartments
  • Propulsion turbine insulation — South Carolina’s main propulsion turbines and associated steam systems used asbestos-containing insulation consistent with early 1970s naval construction specifications at the transitional period of the Navy’s asbestos phase-down
  • Auxiliary steam system insulation — South Carolina’s auxiliary steam systems for crew habitability, electrical generation, and ship services used insulated steam distribution piping throughout the vessel

California Class Construction Era Materials

South Carolina’s 1974 construction used materials from the transitional asbestos phase-down period:

  • Interior compartment construction — the crew berthing, combat information center, and working spaces throughout South Carolina’s early 1970s hull used interior construction materials from the period when the Navy’s asbestos phase-down was underway; some sections of the ship may have incorporated asbestos-containing products during construction
  • Gasketing and packing materials — valve and pump gasketing throughout South Carolina’s propulsion and auxiliary systems used asbestos-containing compressed fiber gasket materials for high-temperature sealing applications in the engineering spaces

Carrier Escort Operations

South Carolina conducted carrier escort operations throughout Cold War:

  • South Carolina served as carrier battle group escort on extended Atlantic Fleet and Western Pacific deployments, with engineering crew members spending continuous time in the ship’s nuclear engineering spaces during these extended deployments

VA Claims for USS South Carolina Veterans

VA presumptive service connection under 38 CFR § 3.309(d) covers asbestos exposure aboard nuclear surface combatants. Engineering ratings and crew members who served aboard USS South Carolina (CGN-37) 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 South Carolina

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.