USS Long Beach (CGN-9) was the world’s first nuclear-powered surface warship and the lead ship of her class — commissioned 9 September 1961 and serving the U.S. Navy through 1 May 1995. As the first nuclear surface combatant, she demonstrated the technical feasibility of nuclear-powered surface task forces and served 34 years across Vietnam combat operations, Cold War carrier escort missions, and Desert Shield/Desert Storm. The 7-entry manifest below documents key auxiliary machinery installed during her construction at Bethlehem Steel Quincy.
Equipment Manifest
| Equipment | Manufacturer | Qty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Condenser | Foster-Wheeler | Drawing No. N-Z1,3B7 and 1F21,390 | |
| Condenser and Ejector | Foster-Wheeler | Performance Data | |
| LP Turbine Bolts (1 inch Pitted) | General Electric | Secure LP turbine to condenser inlet flange | |
| Distillate Pump | Warren Pumps, Inc. | Type 1-CVC-7 | |
| Sea Water Heater Drain Pump | Warren Pumps, Inc. | Type 1-2CV-6 | |
| Salt Water Overboard Discharge Pump | Warren Pumps, Inc. | Type 5-CVE-16 | |
| Low Pressure Air Compressor | Worthington | Model HL-17260 |
Asbestos-Containing Materials Aboard Long Beach
The standard asbestos-containing materials installed throughout U.S. Navy nuclear cruisers of this era are documented to have included:
- Pipe lagging and thermal insulation on main steam, feed-water, fuel-oil, condensate, and saltwater piping throughout machinery spaces
- Boiler block insulation, refractory brick, and gun-blocks around the main boilers
- Asbestos gaskets and braided packing in valves, flanges, pumps, condensers, heat exchangers, and turbine glands
- Insulation jackets and removable lagging on main propulsion turbines, reduction gears, ship-service turbine generators, and forced-draft blowers
- Sheet asbestos and Marinite panels as fire-stops, bulkhead insulation, and overhead insulation
- Vinyl asbestos floor tile (VAT) in passageways, berthing, mess decks, and habitable compartments
- Asbestos rope, wick, and tape in gland-seal applications throughout the engineering plant
Sailors in Boilerman, Machinist’s Mate, Engineman, Electrician’s Mate, Hull Maintenance Technician, Damage Controlman, and other engineering ratings worked routinely in spaces where these materials were installed, maintained, ripped out, and replaced.
VA Benefits for Long Beach Veterans
The 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. The Long Beach equipment manifest is direct documentary evidence of the asbestos-containing materials her crew worked around throughout her service life.
Parallel claims against the asbestos bankruptcy trust funds established by the manufacturers of these products are also available, and do not reduce VA compensation.
Speak with an asbestos attorney with Navy veterans experience →
Equipment manifest derived from public-record BUSHIPS documentation specific to USS Long Beach (CGN-9). Manufacturer attribution links to documented asbestos-product histories on AsbestosIndex.com where available. Editorial review applied per site standards.