USS Waldron is a documented U.S. Navy vessel with asbestos-exposure evidence in the public litigation record. The equipment manifest below was assembled from depositions, expert reports, and manufacturer interrogatory responses filed in U.S. asbestos litigation that reference equipment installed aboard this vessel.

Equipment Manifest

Equipment Manifest — USS Waldron. 34 machinery/equipment entries identified through ship-specific BUSHIPS documentation. Manufacturers in bold link to documented asbestos-product history on AsbestosIndex.com.
EquipmentManufacturerQtyNotes
Geared turbine (H.P. and L.P. turbine with double reduction gear)General Electric2Main engine sets, 60,000 S.H.P.; minor steam erosion noted on L.P. turbine blading
Double reduction gearFalk2Geared turbine transmission component
Horizontal main condenser (single pass)Worthington2Evidence of erosion observed
Horizontal auxiliary condenser (double pass)Worthington2Evidence of erosion observed
Four stage high pressure turbine driven air compressorWorthington1Ran satisfactory at time of inspection
Two stage low pressure electric motor driven air compressorWorthington1Ran satisfactory at time of inspection
BoilersBabcock & Wilcox4Express; superheated single uptake water tube design with Economizers
EconomizersFoster Wheeler
BlowersWestinghouse Electric Co.
Main Propulsion TurbineGeneral Electric6Single Flow Impulse Stage Type: 2 High pressure, 2 Low Pressure with astern turbine, 2 Cruising turbines
Reduction GearFalk Corp2
Reduction GearDe Laval1Single
Main CondensersWorthington2
Auxiliary CondensersWorthington2
Main Distilling ApparatusGriscom-Russell112000 gpd capacity
Emergency Distilling ApparatusGriscom-Russell14000 gpd capacity
Ships Service Turbine Drive GeneratorsGeneral Electric
Turbine DriveWestinghouse
Emergency Diesel GeneratorsGeneral Motors23-368a model
Ships Service Air CompressorsWorthington
Main RefrigerationCarrier Corp.2Main units
Auxiliary Heater Deaerating Feed WaterElliott Corp.Installed aboard USS Waldron DD-699
Main Feed PumpWorthington Pump Co.Installed aboard USS Waldron DD-699
Main Feed Booster PumpBuffalo Pump Co.Installed aboard USS Waldron DD-699
Auxiliary Feed Booster PumpBuffalo Pump Co.Installed aboard USS Waldron DD-699
Main Condensers PumpWorthington Co.Installed aboard USS Waldron DD-699
Auxiliary Condenser Circulating PumpDeLavalInstalled aboard USS Waldron DD-699
Main Fuel Oil PumpWestinghouseInstalled aboard USS Waldron DD-699
Main Lubricating PumpWestinghouseInstalled aboard USS Waldron DD-699
Distiller Circulation PumpBuffaloInstalled aboard USS Waldron DD-699
Distiller Condensate PumpBuffaloInstalled aboard USS Waldron DD-699
Distiller Distribution PumpBuffaloInstalled aboard USS Waldron DD-699
Evaporator Brine PumpBuffalo Pump Co.Installed aboard USS Waldron DD-699
Fire & Bilge PumpWarren Pump Corp.Installed aboard USS Waldron DD-699

Note: this manifest is derived from public asbestos litigation records (depositions, expert reports, manufacturer interrogatories) rather than primary BUSHIPS construction documents. Entries reflect what has been documented or alleged in publicly filed legal records.

Asbestos-Containing Materials Aboard Waldron

U.S. Navy vessels built between the 1930s and 1980s were constructed with extensive asbestos-containing materials throughout machinery spaces, engineering plants, and habitability compartments. The standard ACM categories installed and maintained aboard included:

  • Pipe lagging and thermal insulation — 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 and burner fronts.
  • Asbestos gaskets and braided packing — valves, flanges, pumps, condensers, heat exchangers, and turbine glands.
  • Insulation jackets and removable lagging — main propulsion turbines, reduction gears, ship-service turbine generators, and forced-draft blowers.
  • Sheet asbestos and Marinite panels — fire-stops, bulkhead insulation, and overhead insulation throughout damage-control zones.
  • Vinyl asbestos floor tile (VAT) — passageways, berthing, mess decks, wardroom, and habitable compartments.
  • Asbestos rope, wick, and tape — gland-seal applications throughout the engineering plant.

Navy Ratings Most Exposed to Asbestos Aboard Waldron

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.