USS Albert W. Grant (DD-649)

The USS Albert W. Grant (DD-649) served in the U.S. Navy during the mid-1940s and remained on the Navy list until April 1971. She was named for Vice Admiral Albert Weston Grant who served in World War 1. Albert W. Grant was commissioned as a Fletcher-class destroyer.

Construction

Albert W. Grant was laid down at Charleston, South Carolina by the Charleston Navy Yard in December 1942, launched in May 1943, and commissioned in November with Commander T.A. Nisewaner in command. Carrying a crew of 273, Albert W. Grant was armed with ten 21-inch torpedo tubes, five 5-inch anti-aircraft guns, four 1.1 inch anti-aircraft guns, and four 20-millimeter anti-aircraft guns.

Naval History

Albert W. Grant sailed off the east coast until escorting aircraft carrier USS Hornet from Norfolk, Virginia to Hawaii in February 1944. After arriving at Pearl Harbor in March, Albert W. Grant was deployed during the invasion of Hollandia, New Guinea. Albert W. Grant conducted picket and patrol duty and protected ground forces during this operation, then served as a screen for carriers during the Truk operation. She was briefly stationed at Pearl Harbor in May, and then was deployed during the invasion of the Marianas, aiding in the strikes on Saipan and Tinian.

Albert W. Grant also operated during the assault on the Palaus, performed pre-invasion bombardment at Peleliu and Anguar in September, and then protected Crosby while it landed troops on Suluan Island, Philippines. During the assault on Leyte, Albert W. Grant provided fire support and then battled Japanese ships at Surigao Strait in October. Albert W. Grant was struck many times by enemy fire during this operation, taking damage to her power plant and resulting in the loss of 38 crew members. Engine power was restored and Albert W. Grant was steered to safety, and survived a typhoon while en-route to Leyte.

Albert W. Grant arrived at Pearl Harbor at the end of October and then Mare Island Navy Yard in California for repairs. She returned to the Philippines in April and then participated in the assault on Borneo in June. Serving in the Aleutian Islands when Japan surrendered, Albert W. Grant remained on occupation duty off Japan from August to mid-November. She was placed in reserve at San Diego in July 1945, and then sold for scrap to Levin Metals Corporation in May 1972.

Asbestos Risk on the USS Albert W. Grant (DD-649)

Asbestos is a mineral fiber that found wide industrial use in the 19th and 20th centuries because of its insulating and fireproof qualities. These qualities also made it a seemingly-ideal substance for use in the construction of oceangoing ships, including U.S. Naval vessels. Ships that were built and operated before asbestos was banned in the late 1970s contained large quantities of asbestos. As a result, the crew members serving aboard those ships are at risk of developing mesothelioma.

Most crew members or dock workers aboard Albert W. Grant were exposed to at least some level of asbestos fibers. The highest exposure was suffered by workers in the ship’s engineering sections, where boilers, turbines, engines, pumps and other heavy equipment all used asbestos heavily. Because Albert W. Grant suffered major battle damage, it is likely that very large quantities of asbestos were released into the air aboard the ship when asbestos-containing materials such as pipe liners and compartment insulation were damaged or destroyed. Both long-term and short-term exposure to asbestos has been strongly linked to the development of malignant mesothelioma and other asbestos-related conditions.

If you served aboard Albert W. Grant or worked aboard her as dockyard or repair yard personnel, and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, there may be legal options available to you.

We have created a kit with extensive information on asbestos risks, mesothelioma, and the legal options available to those suffering from this disease. Simply fill out the form on this page and we will send your kit absolutely free.

Sources

Haze Gray & Underway. Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. DD-649.
http://www.hazegray.org/danfs/destroy/dd649txt.htm

NavSource Naval History. USS Albert W. Grant (DD-649).
http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/649.htm