USS Donald B. Beary (DE-1085, reclassified FF-1085 in 1975) was a Knox-class ocean escort / frigate built by Avondale Shipyards, Westwego, Louisiana, under U.S. Navy Contract N00024-67-C-0220, and named for Rear Admiral Donald Bradford Beary. Like every steam-powered warship of her era, she carried asbestos insulation, gaskets, and packing throughout her machinery and piping spaces.
The equipment reference below is hull-specific and primary-source — transcribed from the ship’s own NAVSEC / NAVSHIPS / SUPSHIP and Avondale construction correspondence, equipment certification data sheets, and vendor plan lists (including her documented Westinghouse main-turbine serial number, 50V2008). It is not a secondary Wikipedia summary; each entry cites the record that ties the manufacturer to this hull.
Equipment Reference
| Equipment | Manufacturer | Qty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main boilers (V2M type, header type) | Combustion Engineering | 2 | Hull-specific record: NAVSECPHILADIV Report of Travel, USS BEARY (DE-1085) ND Fuel Conversion DAT Visit, 20-22 Feb 1973 (Ser 498) - 'two Combustion Engineering V2M type main boilers'; also Avondale ltr Ser DE1078-5890-EVG, boiler casing modification 'installed on boilers 1A and 1B of DE 1085 and DE 1086'. |
| Boiler steam-assist burners | Wallsend | Hull-specific record: NAVSECPHILADIV Report of Travel, USS BEARY (DE-1085), Ser 498 - 'Boilers are equipped with Wallsend steam assist burners.' | |
| Boiler soot blowers | Copes-Vulcan | Hull-specific record: Avondale ltr Serial DE1078-3327-HDB, 14 Dec 1970 (P.O. DE-5512), Main Boilers - Soot Blowers, names 'DE 1085 (Left only)'; Copes-Vulcan Dwg X-92739. Also SUPSHIP transmittal EX-1078-24 (Combustion Engineering / Copes-Vulcan soot blowers, ships DE 1078 THRU 1097). | |
| Fuel oil control valves | Hagan | Hull-specific record: NAVSECPHILADIV Report of Travel, USS BEARY (DE-1085), Ser 498 - 'Prior to light off: remove the Hagan Fuel oil control valves, clean inspect and repair.' | |
| Tank level indicators (King gage type) | King-Gage | Hull-specific record: NAVSECPHILADIV Report of Travel, USS BEARY (DE-1085), Ser 498 - 'Ship is equipped with King gage type tank level indicators.' | |
| Main propulsion turbine (H.P. steam turbine) | Westinghouse Electric Corp. | 1 | Hull-specific record: DE 1078 Class H.P. Bearing Alignment Record (Westinghouse Marine Div., Sunnyvale CA) - DE-1085 USS Donald B. Beary, H.P. turbine S/N 50V2008, inspected 9-2-70; Avondale transmittal AJN-SSNO 3151 (P.O. DE-5510), 'H.P. Turbine', vendor Westinghouse Electric. |
| Main reduction gear (propulsion) | Western Gear Corp. | 1 | Hull-specific record: Avondale ltr DE1078-3416-SHK and Western Gear Corp. (Lynwood CA) Material Review Board Action Request, Contract N00024-67-C-0220 P.O. DE-5511, 'MAIN REDUCTION GEAR', DE 1078 Class (DE 1078-1097). |
| Ship service turbine generator (SSTG, 750 KW) | Westinghouse Electric Corp. | Hull-specific record: SUPSHIP ltr Ser 240-7910 (P.O. DE-5510) '750 KW T.G. Set', Westinghouse Electric Corp., DE 1078 Class; NAVSEC/Westinghouse Sunnyvale SSTG throttle-valve corr. for DE 1052/1078 class SSTG sets. | |
| SSTG attached lube oil pump (IMO type 2E1X-187) | DeLaval (IMO Pump) | Hull-specific record: NAVSEC 1st Endorsement Ser 260 (DDG37CL) - 'DeLaval IMO type 2E1X-187 pumps ... are installed in FF1052-1097' as SSTG attached lube oil pump (FF-1085 within range). | |
| Emergency diesel generator set (750 KW) | Stewart & Stevenson Services | Hull-specific record: SUPSHIP ltr Ser 240-7909 (P.O. DE-5530) '750 KW Diesel Generator Set', Stewart & Stevenson Services, DE 1078 Class. | |
| Main forced draft blowers (turbine-driven) | Hardie-Tynes Mfg. Co. | 4 | Hull-specific record: Avondale ltr DE1078-1413-FDH and NAVSHIPS travel report DE1078 CL/9530 Ser 330 (P.O. DE-5516), 'FORCED DRAFT BLOWERS', DE 1078 Class - 'Four forced draft blowers are installed on each ship' (Hardie-Tynes Mfg. Co., Birmingham AL). |
| Forced draft blower lube-oil pump | Tuthill Pump Co. | Hull-specific record: Avondale ltr DE1078-1413-FDH, Hardie-Tynes forced draft blower (P.O. DE-5516), Tuthill Pump Co. drawings for FD blower lube oil pump assembly, DE 1078 Class. | |
| Forced draft blower steam strainer | Strong | Hull-specific record: SUPSHIP ltr Ser 240-6966 (P.O. DE-5516), Hardie-Tynes forced draft blowers steam strainer - Strong Dwg TA-17844, 1500 PSI special cast steel strainer, DE 1078 Class. | |
| Main air ejector and gland exhaust condenser | Foster Wheeler Corp. | 1 | Hull-specific record: Foster Wheeler Corp. (Livingston NJ) Approval & Procurement Record for NAVSHIPS 0946-010-7010 (P.O. DE-5515), 'Main Air Ejector and Gland Exhaust Condenser', ships DE-1078 through DE-1097, 20 units. |
| Distilling plant (12,000 GPD flash type) | Aqua-Chem, Inc. | Hull-specific record: NAVSEC ltr Ser 408 distilling-plant evaluation directs 'NAVSEC evaluate distilling plant performance on DE 1085'; NAVSEC ltr Ser-126-PMS-380 AQUA-CHEM distilling plant 'applicable to the DE-1078-1097'. | |
| Distilling plant brine overboard eductor | Schutte & Koerting | Hull-specific record: NAVSEC ltr Ser-126-PMS-380, AQUA-CHEM distilling plant brine overboard eductor (Schutte & Koerting Dwg 65-X5054-J), applicable to DE-1078-1097. | |
| Distiller distillate pump motor | Reliance Electric Company | 2 | Hull-specific record: Reliance Electric Co. (Cleveland OH) Electric Motor Certification Data 86761-51A (Contract N00024-67-C-0220, order DE-5502), 'Distiller Distillate Pump', Ship Identification 'DE-1078 thru DE-1097', 2 per ship, driven auxiliary Aqua-Chem Inc. |
| Instantaneous hot water heater (Model 2D-32C) | Aqua-Chem, Inc. (Davis Engineering Div.) | Hull-specific record: Aqua-Chem Inc. ships drawings 613 B 7721 / 700 D 7631 (Instantaneous Water Heater 2D-32C, PARACOIL), vessel list 'DE-1078 THRU DE-1097' (Avondale, Contract N00024-67-C-0220). | |
| Hot water heater compressed-asbestos gasket (Garlock 7021) | Garlock | Hull-specific record: Aqua-Chem water heater 2D-32C master drawing 700 D 7631 (vessel list DE-1078 THRU DE-1097), gasket material 'comp. asbestos' per MIL-I-1472, Garlock 7021. | |
| Hot water heater thermostatic temperature regulating valve | Lawler Automatic Controls, Inc. | Hull-specific record: Lawler Automatic Controls Inc. (Mount Vernon NY) Certification Data Sheet dwg 1504-D / 1360-D, thermostatic regulating valves for hot water heaters, vessel list 'DE-1078 THROUGH DE-1097'. | |
| Hot water heater solenoid valve (Model MV-224) | Marotta Valve Corp. | Hull-specific record: Aqua-Chem dwg 613 B 7721 fittings list (water heater 2D-32C, DE-1078 THRU DE-1097), solenoid valve Marotta Valve Corp. Model MV-224. | |
| Hot water heater strainer | Mueller Steam Specialty | Hull-specific record: Aqua-Chem dwg 613 B 7721 fittings list (water heater 2D-32C, DE-1078 THRU DE-1097), strainer Mueller Steam Specialty #352-1/2 per MIL-S-2953. | |
| Hot water heater flow switch | Gems Co., Inc. | Hull-specific record: Aqua-Chem dwg 613 B 7721 fittings list (water heater 2D-32C, DE-1078 THRU DE-1097), flow switch Gems Co. Inc. Part No. 25912. | |
| Hot water heater temperature and low-pressure switches | American Standard | Hull-specific record: Aqua-Chem dwg 613 B 7721 fittings list (water heater 2D-32C, DE-1078 THRU DE-1097), temperature switch American Standard Model NL and low-pressure switch American Standard Model NB-4. | |
| Hot water heater pilot light | Drake | Hull-specific record: Aqua-Chem dwg 613 B 7721 fittings list (water heater 2D-32C, DE-1078 THRU DE-1097), pilot light Drake 5100-202-110. | |
| Auxiliary steam turbine (Type 'JDH') | Worthington Corp. (Turbine Division) | Hull-specific record: Worthington Corp. Turbine Div. (Wellsville NY) Type 'JDH' turbine plan list LA-64200, Applicable Vessels & Contracts lists Contract N00024-67-C-0220, DE-1078...1097 (Avondale). | |
| JDH turbine oil cooler / strainer unit | Andale Co. | Hull-specific record: Worthington Type JDH turbine plan list LA-64200 Group 23.1 (Andale Co. oil cooler, strainer unit), Contract N00024-67-C-0220 DE-1078-1097. | |
| JDH turbine auxiliary lube oil pump | Blackmer | Hull-specific record: Worthington Type JDH turbine plan list LA-64200 Group 23.2 (Blackmer auxiliary lube oil pump), Contract N00024-67-C-0220 DE-1078-1097. | |
| JDH turbine auxiliary lube oil pump motor | Reliance Electric Company | Hull-specific record: Worthington Type JDH turbine plan list LA-64200 Group 23.2A (Reliance electric motor for auxiliary lube oil pump), Contract N00024-67-C-0220 DE-1078-1097. | |
| JDH turbine hand oil pump | Deming Company | Hull-specific record: Worthington Type JDH turbine plan list LA-64200 Group 23.3 (Deming Company hand oil pump), Contract N00024-67-C-0220 DE-1078-1097. | |
| JDH turbine low pump suction safety trip and constant pressure control | Hagan | Hull-specific record: Worthington Type JDH turbine plan list LA-64200 Groups 23.4 and 23.10 (Hagan low pump suction safety trip; Hagan constant pressure control system), Contract N00024-67-C-0220 DE-1078-1097. | |
| JDH turbine low oil pressure alarm and aux oil pump motor control contactors | American Standard | Hull-specific record: Worthington Type JDH turbine plan list LA-64200 Groups 23.5 and 23.6 (Am. Standard low oil pressure alarm contactor; aux oil pump motor control contactor), Contract N00024-67-C-0220 DE-1078-1097. | |
| JDH turbine control starter for auxiliary oil pump | General Electric | Hull-specific record: Worthington Type JDH turbine plan list LA-64200 Group 23.8 (General Electric control starter for auxiliary oil pump), Contract N00024-67-C-0220 DE-1078-1097. | |
| JDH turbine oil-operated trip valve with integral strainer | Gimpel | Hull-specific record: Worthington Type JDH turbine plan list LA-64200 Group 23.12 (Gimpel oil operated trip valve with integral strainer), Contract N00024-67-C-0220 DE-1078-1097. | |
| JDH turbine thermometers and gauges | Manning, Maxwell & Moore | Hull-specific record: Worthington Type JDH turbine plan list LA-64200 Groups 23.13 and 23.15 (M.M.&M. thermometers and gauges), Contract N00024-67-C-0220 DE-1078-1097. | |
| JDH turbine sight flow indicators | Schutte & Koerting | Hull-specific record: Worthington Type JDH turbine plan list LA-64200 Group 23.14 (Schutte & Koerting sight flow indicators), Contract N00024-67-C-0220 DE-1078-1097. | |
| Main feed pump (turbine-driven) | Worthington Corp. | Hull-specific record: Avondale ltr Serial DE 1078-7084-FSF (Ocean Escorts DE 1078 Class) - 'alignment of the Worthington main feed pumps' per Worthington TM 0947-107-8010, Dwg RW-140700. | |
| Main feed pump (Fairbanks Morse dwg 99K4B-S) | Fairbanks Morse | Hull-specific record: Avondale ltr Serial DE 1078-7084-FSF, Fairbanks Morse centrifugal pumps for DE 1078 Class - Main Feed Pump outline dwg 99K4B-S. | |
| Main condensate pump (2 per ship) | Fairbanks Morse | 2 | Hull-specific record: DE 1078 Class shipalt, Modification of Main Condenser Condensate Pump Foundations, 'DE 1078 to DE 1097 inclusive', two condensate pumps; Fairbanks Morse outline dwg 99K4B-T. |
| T/G condensate pump and fresh-water drain pump | Fairbanks Morse | Hull-specific record: Avondale ltr Serial DE 1078-7084-FSF, Fairbanks Morse centrifugal pumps for DE 1078 Class - T/G Condensate 99K1.5T-L, Fresh Water Drain 99K1.5T-M. | |
| Fire pumps | Fairbanks Morse | Hull-specific record: DE 1052/1078 class fire pump maintenance notes (COMCRUDESPAC Ser 427); Fairbanks Morse fire pump master dwg 99D5D-BT (Colt Industries / Fairbanks Morse Pump Div.), P.O. DE-5509. | |
| Fire pumps | Buffalo Forge | Hull-specific record: DE 1052/1078 class fire pump maintenance notes (NAVSHIPS ltr 9470 Ser 1156; COMCRUDESPAC Ser 427) - mechanical seals for Buffalo Forge and Fairbanks-Morse firepumps. | |
| Fire pump mechanical seals | John Crane Packing Company | Hull-specific record: DE 1052/1078 class fire pump maintenance notes (COMCRUDESPAC Ser 427) - John Crane Packing Company mechanical seals for Buffalo Forge and Fairbanks-Morse firepumps. | |
| Turbo-generator circulating pump | Fairbanks Morse | Hull-specific record: SUPSHIP ltr Ser 240 (P.O. DE-5509), Fairbanks Morse Turbo. Gen. Circ. Pump, outline dwg 99F6B-A, DE 1078 Class. | |
| ASROC heating circulating pump and electronic cooling pump | Fairbanks Morse | Hull-specific record: SUPSHIP ltr Ser 240-5646 (P.O. DE-5509), Fairbanks Morse Asroc Heating Circ. Pump & Electronic Cooling Pump (dwgs 99F1.5D-U/W/X/Y), DE 1078 Class. | |
| Motor-driven main fuel oil service pump | DeLaval Turbine, Inc. | Hull-specific record: SUPSHIP ltr Ser 240 (P.O. DE-5507), 'Motor-Driven Main Fuel Oil Service Pump', DeLaval Turbine Inc., DE 1078 Class. | |
| Bilge, F.O. tank stripping and emergency F.O. transfer pump | Worthington Corp. | Hull-specific record: SUPSHIP ltr Ser 240-1557 (P.O. DE-5501), 'Bilge & F.O. Tank Stripping & Emergency F.O. Transfer Pump', Worthington Corp., DE 1078 Class. | |
| Prairie/Masker air compressor (Turbo-Compressor TC-702) | Worthington Corp. | Hull-specific record: Avondale ltr DE1078-1434-CHC and SUPSHIP ltr Ser 5531 (P.O. DE-5501), 'Prairie Masker Air Compressor', Worthington Turbo-Compressor TC-702 (dwg 1-H-2500), applicable ships DE 1078 thru 1097, 40 units. | |
| Prairie/Masker air compressor fresh-water cooler | American Standard | Hull-specific record: Avondale ltr DE1078-1434-CHC, Prairie Masker Air Compressor (P.O. DE-5501), American Std F.W. cooler dwg 4M424X11, DE 1078 Class. | |
| Prairie/Masker air compressor motor controller | Cutler-Hammer | Hull-specific record: Avondale ltr DE1078-1434-CHC, Prairie Masker Air Compressor (P.O. DE-5501), Cutler-Hammer controller certification data dwg 6922CD474, DE 1078 Class. | |
| Prairie/Masker air compressor motor | Reliance Electric Company | Hull-specific record: Avondale ltr DE1078-1434-CHC, Prairie Masker Air Compressor (P.O. DE-5501), Reliance Elec. Co. motor certification data dwg A-87252-1, DE 1078 Class. | |
| Steering gear pump controller (drip-proof AC magnetic controller, 75 HP) | Cutler-Hammer, Inc. | 2 | Hull-specific record: Cutler-Hammer Inc. (Milwaukee) Certification Data A6962CD3600 (order CF344385B, Avondale P.O. DE-5503), drip-proof AC magnetic controller for steering gear pump, 20 Avondale vessels, 2 per vessel. |
| Steering gear pump driven auxiliary unit | Smith-Meeker | Hull-specific record: Cutler-Hammer Certification Data A6962CD3600 (P.O. DE-5503), 'Driven Aux. Unit (Smith-Meeker)' for steering gear pump, 20 Avondale vessels. | |
| Control / pressure regulator valves | Atlas Valve Co. | Hull-specific record: SUPSHIP ltr Ser 240-6896 (Avondale P.O. DE-1218 & DE-5570), Atlas Valve Co. (Newark NJ) control / pressure regulator valves (dwgs NAP 859/860), DE 1052 & DE 1078 class. | |
| Low-pressure desuperheater | Gimpel Machine Works | Hull-specific record: SUPSHIP ltr Ser 240-106 (P.O. DE-832 & DE-5547), Gimpel Machine Works '5-inch Line Desuperheater with Control Equipment' (Dwg NP-675), DE 1052/1078 class. | |
| Desuperheater thermoswitch | Fenwal | Hull-specific record: SUPSHIP ltr Ser 240-106 (P.O. DE-832 & DE-5547), Fenwall Dwg 17823-2 thermoswitch on the low-pressure desuperheater, DE 1052/1078 class. | |
| 150-15 psi reducing station (2-inch GKM reducing valve) | Leslie Co. | Hull-specific record: NAVSEC ltr Ser-188-PMS-380, DE-1078-1097 acceptance-trial item IIK36mp reducing station - Leslie 2-inch GKM valve (Leslie Topper Class GK valve). | |
| Ship's-service-generator / bus-tie circuit breakers (type AQB-A1601) | Westinghouse Electric Corp. | Hull-specific record: NAVSEC ltr Ser 601-PMS 380 (DE 1052 and DE 1078 class) - Westinghouse type AQB-A1601 circuit breaker 'installed on the subject ships for ship's service generator and bus tie applications.' | |
| Battery chargers | Bogue Electric Mfg. Co. | Hull-specific record: SUPSHIP ltr Ser 240-3690 (A.S.I. P.O. DE-5926), Bogue Electric Mfg. Co. battery chargers (dwg DG-0178-01), DE 1078 Class. | |
| Local interior-communication (I.C.) switchboards | Westinghouse Electric Corp. | Hull-specific record: SUPSHIP ltr Ser 240-5903 (P.O. DE-5532), Westinghouse Electric Corp. local I.C. switchboards, DE 1078 Class. | |
| Radar distribution switchboard (SB-1505/SP) | Admiral Corp. | Hull-specific record: NAVSEC speedletter DE 1078CL/5000 Ser 1767 - SB-1505/SP Radar Distribution Switchboard, Admiral Corp., DE 1078 Class. |
Source: these 61 equipment-and-manufacturer entries were transcribed from the primary construction and equipment-certification records for USS Donald B. Beary (DE-1085 / FF-1085), an Avondale-built Knox-class frigate. Per public litigation records, the machinery aboard ships of this type — boilers, steam turbines, pumps, valves, and their asbestos insulation, gaskets, and packing — allegedly contained asbestos. This is a documentary reference published by an independent publisher; it is not legal advice.
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.
Navy Ratings Most Exposed to Asbestos Aboard Donald B. Beary
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 Disability Claims for Asbestos-Related Disease
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs evaluates asbestos claims individually. A veteran generally needs medical evidence of a current asbestos-related disease, service evidence supporting in-service asbestos exposure, and a medical opinion connecting the two. Ship assignments, Navy ratings, and equipment records can help document the exposure history but do not create automatic service connection.
Approved claims may provide monthly disability compensation and related benefits. Survivors may separately qualify for Dependency & Indemnity Compensation when the applicable requirements are met. Civil lawsuits and asbestos-trust claims use different standards; claimants should obtain individualized advice about how the processes interact.
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.






