Are Vulcan AR-5 veterans covered by Navy asbestos litigation records?

Yes. Vulcan AR-5 is documented in the public U.S. Navy asbestos litigation record. U.S. Navy vessels of her service era were built to BUSHIPS specifications that required asbestos insulation throughout engineering spaces, on steam lines, around boilers and turbines, and in gasket and packing materials.

Which shipboard components on Vulcan AR-5 contained asbestos?

Asbestos-containing materials documented aboard U.S. Navy vessels of Vulcan AR-5's era include: boiler insulation and lagging, steam-line pipe insulation, turbine and reduction-gear casings, valve packing, gaskets, brake and clutch friction materials, electrical wire insulation, overhead pipe coverings in berthing and mess spaces, and Navy-issue boiler cement and refractory in fireboxes.

What ratings were exposed to asbestos serving on Vulcan AR-5?

Navy ratings with the highest documented asbestos exposure include Machinist's Mate (MM), Boiler Technician (BT), Hull Maintenance Technician (HT), Engineman (EN), Electrician's Mate (EM), Interior Communications Electrician (IC), Damage Controlman (DC), and Pipefitter / Shipfitter. Officers in engineering departments also encountered asbestos in normal duty. Shipyard workers performing overhaul, repair, or refit work had concentrated exposure during yard periods.

What equipment manufacturers are documented on Vulcan AR-5?

Documented equipment manufacturers aboard Vulcan AR-5 include: American Transformer Co., Arma, Atwood & Morrill (Weir), B.F. Sturtevant Co. (Westinghouse), Babcock & Wilcox, Brown & Sharpe, Chapman Valve Co.. These manufacturers supplied boilers, turbines, pumps, valves, electrical equipment, and insulation systems through BUSHIPS contracts during the asbestos era.

Do Vulcan AR-5 veterans qualify for VA disability for mesothelioma?

Potentially. VA evaluates asbestos-related disability claims individually. Vulcan AR-5 veterans generally need medical records showing the current disease, service records supporting in-service asbestos exposure, and a doctor's statement connecting the two. Veterans may file at VA.gov, call 1-800-827-1000, or seek free help from an accredited Veterans Service Organization such as DAV, VFW, or the American Legion.

USS Vulcan (AR-5) — Equipment Reference & Asbestos Exposure Record

USS Vulcan (AR-5) was a Vulcan-class repair ship, built by New York Shipbuilding, Camden, and, like every steam-powered warship of her era, 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 Navy construction, equipment-certification, and material-inspection records. It is not a secondary Wikipedia summary; each entry cites the record that ties the manufacturer to this hull.

Equipment Reference

Equipment Manifest — USS Vulcan (AR-5). 46 machinery/equipment entries identified through ship-specific BUSHIPS documentation. Manufacturers in bold link to documented asbestos-product history on AsbestosIndex.com.

Equipment	Manufacturer	Qty	Notes
Main Propulsion Turbines	New York Shipbuilding Corp.	2	Hull-specific record: USS Vulcan (AR-5) Hull & Machinery Synopsis, BuEng Main Turbine Data (Sheet D) — '2 Main Turbines, New York Shipbuilding Corp.'; corroborates 'Mfrs of Products & Equipment aboard the USS Vulcan (AR-5)' list.
Main & Dynamo Condensers, Gland Exhaust Condensers, Lube Oil Coolers, Auxiliary Condensers	New York Shipbuilding Corp.		Hull-specific record: USS Vulcan (AR-5) Hull & Machinery Synopsis, Condenser Data (Sheet I: 2 main + 6 dynamo condensers, N.Y.S. Corp.) & Misc. Heat Exchanger Data (Sheet K: gland exhaust condensers & lube oil coolers, 2 each); MFR list credits auxiliary condensers.
Evaporating & Distilling Plants (2 triple-effect, low-pressure)	New York Shipbuilding Corp.	2	Hull-specific record: USS Vulcan (AR-5) Hull & Machinery Synopsis, Evaporating and Distilling Plants (Sheet M) — 'Manufacturer of plants: New York Shipbuilding Corporation, 2 triple-effect low-pressure, 40,000 gal/24 hr each.'
Main Reduction Gears (double-reduction, double-helical tooth)	DeLaval Steam Turbine Co.		Hull-specific record: USS Vulcan (AR-5) Hull & Machinery Synopsis, Reduction Gears (Sheet F) — 'Manufacturer: De Laval Steam Turbine Co.'; corroborates MFR list ('main reduction gears').
Main Lube Oil / Fuel Oil Service, Booster & Transfer Pumps and their turbine drivers	DeLaval Steam Turbine Co.		Hull-specific record: USS Vulcan (AR-5) Hull & Machinery Synopsis, Data of Pumps (Sheets H-5/H-6) — DeLaval main lube oil service (2), fuel oil service main (2), fuel oil booster & transfer (4), with DeLaval turbine drives; corroborates MFR list.
Thrust Bearings (H.P. turbine, L.P. turbine, propeller)	Kingsbury Machine Works		Hull-specific record: USS Vulcan (AR-5) Hull & Machinery Synopsis, Shafting & Bearings (Sheet F) — thrust-bearing manufacturer 'Kingsbury Machine Works, Phila., Pa.'
Main Boilers (4-3-drum Express type)	Babcock & Wilcox	4	Hull-specific record: USS Vulcan (AR-5) Hull & Machinery Synopsis, Boiler Data (Sheet G) — 'Number and type 4-3 Drum Express; Manufacturer Babcock & Wilcox'; corroborates MFR list ('main boilers').
Forced Draft Blowers (2 per boiler) & pump-drive turbines	B.F. Sturtevant Co. (Westinghouse)	8	Hull-specific record: USS Vulcan (AR-5) Hull & Machinery Synopsis, Forced Draft Blowers (Sheet H-11): 8 Sturtevant blowers, 2 per boiler; also Sturtevant turbine drivers for feed/condensate/fire pumps (Sheets H-1..H-4); corroborates MFR list.
4-inch Bleeder Valves	Atwood & Morrill (Weir)		Hull-specific record: 'Mfrs of Products & Equipment aboard the USS Vulcan (AR-5)' equipment-manufacturer list (VIABLE) — 'Atwood & Morrill (Weir) 4" bleeder valves.'
Gate Valves	Chapman Valve Co.		Hull-specific record: 'Mfrs of Products & Equipment aboard the USS Vulcan (AR-5)' equipment-manufacturer list (VIABLE) — 'Chapman Valve Co. gate valves.'
Angle-type Bottom Blow Valves	Cochrane Corp.		Hull-specific record: 'Mfrs of Products & Equipment aboard the USS Vulcan (AR-5)' equipment-manufacturer list (VIABLE) — 'Cochrane Corp. angle type bottom blow valves.'
Deaerating Feed-Water Heaters & Auxiliary Water-Cooler F.W. Heaters	Cochrane Corp.		Hull-specific record: USS Vulcan (AR-5) Hull & Machinery Synopsis, Misc. Heat Exchanger Data (Sheet K) — deaerating feed-water heaters (2) and vent-condenser/aux water-cooler F.W. heaters (2) manufactured by Cochrane.
Globe Stop, Swing-Check, Nickel-Copper Alloy Angle, Cast-Steel Flange-End & Globe, Gage-Piping and Needle Valves	Crane Co.		Hull-specific record: 'Mfrs of Products & Equipment aboard the USS Vulcan (AR-5)' equipment-manufacturer list (VIABLE) — Crane Co. globe stop, cast swing-check, Ni-Cu alloy angle, cast-steel flange-end/globe, gage-piping and needle valves.
Boiler Safety Valves	Crosby Steam Gage & Valve Co.		Hull-specific record: 'Mfrs of Products & Equipment aboard the USS Vulcan (AR-5)' equipment-manufacturer list (VIABLE) — 'Crosby Steam Gage & Valve Co. safety valves.'
Relief Valves	Manning, Maxwell & Moore		Hull-specific record: 'Mfrs of Products & Equipment aboard the USS Vulcan (AR-5)' equipment-manufacturer list (VIABLE) — 'Manning, Maxwell & Moore relief valves.'
Pressure-Reducing Valves	Foster Engineering (ITT)		Hull-specific record: 'Mfrs of Products & Equipment aboard the USS Vulcan (AR-5)' equipment-manufacturer list (VIABLE) — 'Foster Engineering (ITT) pressure-reducing valves.'
12-inch Steam Siren	Foster Engineering (ITT)	1	Hull-specific record: USS Vulcan (AR-5) Hull & Machinery Synopsis, Whistle & Siren (Sheet Q) — 'Siren, 12" Steam Siren, Manufacturer Foster Engineering Co.'
Pump Governors & Pressure-Reducing Valves	Leslie Co.		Hull-specific record: 'Mfrs of Products & Equipment aboard the USS Vulcan (AR-5)' equipment-manufacturer list (BANKRUPT) — 'Leslie Co. pump governors, pressure-reducing valves.'
Whistle (Typhon, 3-leaf diaphragm, 300 DVE)	Leslie Co.	1	Hull-specific record: USS Vulcan (AR-5) Hull & Machinery Synopsis, Whistle & Siren (Sheet Q) — 'Whistle, Leslie Typhon 3-leaf diaphragm 300 DVE, Manufacturer Leslie Co.'
Emergency-Generator Diesel Engine (8-cylinder)	Cooper-Bessemer (Cameron International)	1	Hull-specific record: USS Vulcan (AR-5) Hull & Machinery Synopsis, Generator Data (Sheet N) — emergency diesel generator drive 'Cooper Bessemer, Diesel, 8 cylinders'; corroborates MFR list ('diesel engines for emergency generators').
Emergency Diesel-Generator Engines (alternate attribution)	General Motors		Hull-specific record: 'Mfrs of Products & Equipment aboard the USS Vulcan (AR-5)' equipment-manufacturer list (BANKRUPT) — 'General Motors engines for emergency diesel generator' (listed alongside Cooper-Bessemer on the maker roster).
Turbo-Generator Sets (750 kW A.C., ship's service)	General Electric	6	Hull-specific record: USS Vulcan (AR-5) Hull & Machinery Synopsis, Generator Data (Sheet N) — '6 Turbo Generators, General Electric, A.C., 750 kW, turbine drive'; corroborates MFR list ('turbo generator sets, ship's service generators').
Pump Controls, Motor Pump-Drivers, Motor Generators, Emergency Generator, Transformers	General Electric		Hull-specific record: 'Mfrs of Products & Equipment aboard the USS Vulcan (AR-5)' equipment-manufacturer list (VIABLE) — GE pump controls, motor drivers for pumps, motor generators, emergency generator, transformers; corroborated by Synopsis Motor Generator Data (Sheets O-1/O-2).
Searchlights (36-inch ×2, 24-inch ×3)	General Electric		Hull-specific record: USS Vulcan (AR-5) Hull & Machinery Synopsis, Searchlights (Sheet P-1) — 36" (2) and 24" (3) searchlights by Gen. Elec. Co.
Main Evaporators & Fuel Oil Heaters	Griscom-Russell, Inc.		Hull-specific record: 'Mfrs of Products & Equipment aboard the USS Vulcan (AR-5)' maker list ('main evaporators, fuel oil heaters'); Synopsis Misc. Heat Exchanger Data (Sheet K) lists 4 fuel-oil heaters to Griscom-Russell Co.
Vacuum Priming Pumps	Nash Engineering		Hull-specific record: 'Mfrs of Products & Equipment aboard the USS Vulcan (AR-5)' equipment-manufacturer list (VIABLE) — 'Nash Engineering vacuum priming pumps.'
Fuel Oil Service, Lube Oil Transfer, Fuel Oil Tank Drain & Diesel Oil Service Pumps	Northern Pump Co.		Hull-specific record: 'Mfrs of Products & Equipment aboard the USS Vulcan (AR-5)' maker list; corroborated by Synopsis Data of Pumps (Sheets H-5/H-6) — Northern port/cruising fuel-oil service (2), lube-oil transfer (1), fuel-oil tank drain (2), diesel-oil service (2).
Air Ejectors (main, dynamo, distiller) & Distilling-Plant Air Ejectors	Schutte & Koerting		Hull-specific record: USS Vulcan (AR-5) Hull & Machinery Synopsis, Air Ejector Data (Sheet J) & Evaporating/Distilling Plants (Sheet M) — main/dynamo/distiller air ejectors, Schutte & Koerting; corroborates MFR list ('air ejectors, distilling plants').
Lubricating Oil & Diesel Fuel Oil Purifiers	Sharples (Alfa-Laval)		Hull-specific record: USS Vulcan (AR-5) Hull & Machinery Synopsis, Purifiers (Sheet H-9) — lube-oil purifier (2) and diesel fuel-oil purifier (1) by Sharples; corroborates MFR list ('lubricating oil purifiers').
Lube Oil & Diesel Fuel Oil Purifier Pumps (gear type)	Brown & Sharpe		Hull-specific record: USS Vulcan (AR-5) Hull & Machinery Synopsis, Purifier Pumps (Sheet H-9) — lube-oil purifier pump (2) and diesel fuel-oil purifier pump (1), manufacturer Brown & Sharpe.
Pump Controls; Ship's-Service Telephone Battery-Charging MG-Set Controls	Ward Leonard Electric Co.		Hull-specific record: 'Mfrs of Products & Equipment aboard the USS Vulcan (AR-5)' maker list ('pump controls'); Synopsis Motor Generator Data (Sheet O-2) shows Ward Leonard starting-panel control for the SS-telephone battery-charging MG sets.
Refrigerating / Air-Conditioning / Cold-Storage Plants (Freon-12)	York		Hull-specific record: USS Vulcan (AR-5) Hull & Machinery Synopsis, Refrigerating Plants (Sheet L) — York Freon-12 cold-storage, air-conditioning and ship's-service-stores plants; corroborates MFR list ('refrigerating plants').
Ice-Cream Hardening Cabinet & Soda-Fountain Refrigeration	Kelvinator		Hull-specific record: USS Vulcan (AR-5) Hull & Machinery Synopsis, Refrigerating Plants (Sheet L) — hardening-cabinet/ice-cream freezer (2) and soda-fountain units, Freon-12, manufacturer Kelvinator.
Main Condenser Tube-Joint Packing (2 metallic rings + 2 expansion rings)	John Crane		Hull-specific record: USS Vulcan (AR-5) Hull & Machinery Synopsis, Condenser Data (Sheet I), Note A — condenser tube-joint outlet-end packing 'John Crane Packing.'
Gyro Compass (Mk XXXIX Mod 1)	Sperry	3	Hull-specific record: USS Vulcan (AR-5) Hull & Machinery Synopsis, Motor Generator Data (Sheet O-1) — 3 gyro-compass units, Mk XXXIX Mod 1, manufacturer Sperry.
Ship's Service Telephone Ringing MG Sets (generator & motor)	Holtzer-Cabot	2	Hull-specific record: USS Vulcan (AR-5) Hull & Machinery Synopsis, Motor Generator Data (Sheet O-2) — SS-telephone ringing MG sets (2), generator and motor by Holtzer-Cabot.
Ship's Service Telephone Battery-Charging MG Sets	Diehl	2	Hull-specific record: USS Vulcan (AR-5) Hull & Machinery Synopsis, Motor Generator Data (Sheet O-2) — SS-telephone battery-charging MG sets (2), manufacturer Diehl.
Gyro-Repair MG Set / Gyro (310 kVA, A.C.)	Arma	1	Hull-specific record: USS Vulcan (AR-5) Hull & Machinery Synopsis, Motor Generator Data (Sheet O-2) — gyro-repair MG set/gyro, 310 kVA A.C., manufacturer Arma.
12-inch Searchlights (4); Electric-Arc Welders (8, CF3 DC, 300 Amp) with drive motors & generators	Westinghouse Electric & Mfg. Co.		Hull-specific record: USS Vulcan (AR-5) Hull & Machinery Synopsis, Searchlights (Sheet P-1: 4× 12" Westinghouse) and Ship Upkeep Shops & Equipment allowance list (Item 422-E-145: 8 Westinghouse CF3 300-Amp arc welders with Westinghouse drive motors/generators).
Storage Batteries (telephone, meter-range, gun-firing, sight-lighting, motor-boat, gyro-compass, alarm)	Electric Storage Battery Co.		Hull-specific record: USS Vulcan (AR-5) Hull & Machinery Synopsis, Storage Batteries (Sheet P-1) — all storage-battery trays, manufacturer Electric Storage Battery Co.
Transformers (4 single-phase, 115/20, 100 VA)	American Transformer Co.		Hull-specific record: 'Mfrs of Products & Equipment aboard the USS Vulcan (AR-5)' maker list ('transformers'); Synopsis Transformers (Sheet P-2) lists American Transformer Co., 115/20, 100 VA, 4 single-phase.
Main Feed, Feed-Booster, Condensate, Condenser-Circulating Pumps & HP/Ship's-Service Air Compressors	Worthington Pump & Machinery Corp.		Hull-specific record: 'Mfrs of Products & Equipment aboard the USS Vulcan (AR-5)' maker list; corroborated by Synopsis Data of Pumps (Sheets H-1..H-4, H-10) — Worthington main feed (4), main feed booster (4), condensate, main condenser circulating pumps, and HP/ship's-service air compressors.
Auxiliary Pumps — Fire & Flushing, Emergency Bilge, Evaporator/Distiller, Fresh-Water Distributing, Refrigerating & Cooling Salt-Water, Diesel-Gen Cooling	Worthington Pump & Machinery Corp.		Hull-specific record: 'Mfrs of Products & Equipment aboard the USS Vulcan (AR-5)' maker list; corroborated by Synopsis Data of Pumps (Sheets H-4, H-6, H-7, H-8) — Worthington fire/flushing/emergency-bilge, fire & bilge (3), evaporator feed/brine/tube-nest-drain, distiller condenser circulating/condensate, fresh-water distributing, refrigerating & cooling salt-water, and emergency-diesel-generator cooling-water pumps.
Asbestos Insulating Blocks	Unibestos		Hull-specific record: 'Mfrs of Products & Equipment aboard the USS Vulcan (AR-5)' equipment-manufacturer list (BANKRUPT) — 'UNIBESTOS asbestos insulating blocks' named as installed asbestos thermal insulation.
Machine Shop — 100-ton Horizontal Hydraulic Pipe-Bender Press & Portable Hydraulic Pump	Watson-Stillman Co.		Hull-specific record: USS Vulcan (AR-5) Ship Upkeep Shops & Equipment allowance list, Pipe & Coppersmith Shop (Items 422-E-7, 422-E-113) — Watson-Stillman Co. (Roselle, N.J.) 100-ton pipe-bender press and portable single-plunger hydraulic pump.
Machine Shop — Welding Table / Positioner (C-F Model 24, 2,500 lb)	Cullen-Friestedt Co.		Hull-specific record: USS Vulcan (AR-5) Ship Upkeep Shops & Equipment allowance list, Pipe & Coppersmith Shop / Welding Section (Item E-140) — Cullen-Friestedt Co. (Chicago, Ill.) C-F Model 24 welding-table positioner.

Source: these 46 equipment-and-manufacturer entries were transcribed from the primary Navy records for USS Vulcan (AR-5). 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.

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 Vulcan

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:

Boilerman (BT) — boiler-room operations, refractory work, burner maintenance
Machinist’s Mate (MM) — main propulsion turbines, reduction gears, condensers, pumps
Engineman (EN) — auxiliary diesel and gasoline engines, gland packing
Electrician’s Mate (EM) — cable runs through asbestos-insulated chases, motor-generator sets
Hull Maintenance Technician (HT) / Pipefitter — piping system maintenance, gasket replacement, valve repacking
Damage Controlman (DC) — firefighting equipment, fire-stops, bulkhead penetrations
Fireman (FN) — engineering-plant tending across boiler and engine rooms

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.