USS Farenholt (DD-491)
The USS Farenholt (DD-491) was a Benson class destroyer in the U.S. Navy during World War II. She was the second ship to honor Admiral Oscar Farenholt (1845-1920) and bear his name.
Construction
In November 1941, Farenholt was launched at Staten Island, NY, by Bethlehem Steel Company and commissioned in April 1942, under the command of Lieutenant Commander E. T. Seaward.
Naval History
Farenholt spent the war in the Pacific and participated in a variety of invasions, escorts, and duties, including flagship for Destroyer Squadron 12. She played an important role in the invasion of Gualdalcanal. After the initial attack, she hindered Japanese reinforcement by intercepting and destroying enemy shipping. After repairs at Pearl Harbor, and training exercises in New Hebrides, the Solomon Islands and off Lunga Point, she engaged enemy bombers before escorting six ships through Sealark Channel. Near Rendova, Farenholt took aboard task force commander Rear Admiral Richmond K. Turner after his flagship McCawley was sunk. During the summer, Farenholt operated out of Espiritu Santo and Efate escorting ships and patrolling the waters between Guadalcanal and Noumé, effectively disrupting Japanese shipping while fortifying Vella Lavella with troops and supplies.
After a six day stay at Sydney, Australia, Farenholt joined striking forces with the initial landings northeast of Bouganville and continued these actions from November through February 1944. After heroic attacks in Blanche Bay and Rabaul, where she sank two merchantmen, she sustained damage from heavy counterfire at Kavieng, necessitating repairs and a west coast overhaul.
From June 1944 through October, Farenholt landed assault troops off Guam and prepared for the Palaus operation, which was key to the liberation of the Philippines. She shelled a radar station on Mindanao, supported landings on Morotai and assisted with raids on Manila. After supporting the assault landings at Leyte, Farenholt was damaged in air battles off Taiwan before her group retired at Ulithi.
In September 1945, one of her last assignments was transporting an Army general to accept the Japanese surrender of islands in Ryukyus and in Sakishima Gunto. She was placed out of commission in reserve at Charleston in April 1946 and stricken from the Naval Vessel Register in June 1971 and sold for scrap in November 1972.
Farenholt received 11 battle stars for World War II service.
Asbestos Risk on the USS Farenholt (DD-491)
Many compartments on board the USS Farenholt were built with materials that contained asbestos. Asbestos was used as a primary insulator for boilers and electrical generator and engine equipment. It also covered steam pipes running throughout the vessel and could be found in adhesives, cements and sealants used on much of the equipment found on board. It was even in the fire-proof aprons that boilermen, who tended the fires in boilers wore. Most sailors on board the Farenholt were likely exposed to asbestos.
Mesothelioma, a form of asbestos cancer is known to be caused by breathing in asbestos dust. Since asbestos exposure is the main cause of this asbestos disease, Navy veterans who have been diagnosed with it are often eligible to receive monetary compensation for their illness. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer can explain the legal options that are available. To learn more, please fill out the form on this page to request more information.
Sources
Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships
(http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/f1/farenholt-ii.htm) Retrieved 17 January 2011
