USS Fanning (DD-37)
Construction
The USS Fanning (DD-37) was a modified Paulding-class destroyer serving in the U.S. Navy during World War I and later (as CG-11) in the U.S. Coast Guard. Paulding-class destroyers burned oil rather than coal, which lightened the ships’ weight and made them faster. She was named for Nathaniel Fanning, a Connecticut native who served during the Revolutionary War.
Fanning was launched 11 January 1912 by Newport News Shipbuilding Company (NOTE URL MISSPELLING _ REMOVE THIS TEXT AFTER FIXING); sponsored by Mrs. Kenneth McAlpine; and commissioned 21 June 1912, Lieutenant W. N. Jeffers in command. She was classified DD-37 on 17 July 1920.
Naval History
Prior to World War I, Fanning was based at Norfolk, Virginia where she joined in gunnery practice. Later she sailed to the Caribbean for winter maneuvers and took part in the training schedule of the Atlantic Fleet. On 8 October 1916 Fanning searched for the crews of ships sunk by the German submarine U-58. She recovered six survivors and landed them at Rhode Island.
Later in October 1916, Fanning along with the fuel ship Jason conducted experiments to develop methods of oiling at sea. During the next 8 months Fanning sharpened her war preparation by participating in torpedo and gunnery practices. Beginning in June 1917 Fanning patrolled the eastern Atlantic, escorting convoys and rescuing survivors of sunken merchantmen. On 17 November 1917 the periscope of a U-58 was sighted and Fanning attacked. Her first depth charge pattern scored. As the U-58 began to sink, the crew scrambled on deck and surrendered. Fanning picked up the prisoners as the U-58 sank to the bottom of the ocean.
For the duration of the war, Fanning continued escort and patrol duty. She aided torpedoed ships and rescued survivors. On 8 October 1918, she rescued 103 survivors of submarine attacks, 25 from a merchantman and 78 from the French cruiser Dupetit Thouars. On March 1919 Fanning left Brest Harbor for the States in company with other destroyers, escorting a group of submarine chasers.
Fanning was decommissioned at Philadelphia on 24 November 1919. In June 1924 she was transferred to the Coast Guard and served in that capacity until November 1930. Fanning was sold for scrap in May 1934.
Asbestos Risk on the USS Fanning (DD-37)
No matter what job a sailor had, serving aboard a ship meant exposure to asbestos to at least some extent. While Fanning was built and operated before the use of asbestos was mandated by law, asbestos was still used in the construction of many areas of the ship. Those working on engines and boilers typically were subjected to higher levels of asbestos than those in other occupations on the ship.
In addition, dock and shipyard workers who built and maintained Fanning were also at risk for asbestos exposure. As the main work performed in shipyards was ship repair, demolition, and construction, asbestos fibers and dust were frequently in the air where engineers and workers in the area could breathe them in.
When repairing or maintaining equipment that contained asbestos parts, individual asbestos fibers would become airborne and stick to the clothes of dock workers who would come home and expose family members to the toxic dust. The inhalation and swallowing of asbestos fibers has known causal links to the development of mesothelioma.
Sources
USS Fanning (DD-37).
(http://www.worldlingo.com/ma/enwiki/en/USS_Fanning_(DD-37)) Retrieved 10 February 2011
