USS Graham (DD-192)
USS Graham (DD-192) was a Clemson-class destroyer constructed for the US Navy during World War I. She was named in honor of William A. Graham, who was the US Secretary of the Navy from 1850 to 1852. Prior to taking on this position, Graham served as a US Senator from North Carolina as well as the 30th governor of North Carolina. In 1853, Graham was a candidate for the vice-presidency.
Construction
Graham was launched by Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company in Newport News, Virginia on March 22, 1919. She was sponsored by Mrs. Robert F. Smallwood, who was the granddaughter of Secretary Graham. Lieutenant Commander Paulus P. Powell took command of Graham on March 13, 1920 at Norfolk Navy Yard.
Naval History
Following commissioning, Graham was assigned to the Atlantic Fleet. After completing several trial runs along the east coast, Graham was assigned the special duty of joining in with two other US destroyers as they transported a picture boat for the International Cup Race. The duty involved carrying moving picture photographers from July 15, 1920 until the race was completed on July 27.
Following her special duties with the International Cup Race, Graham joined the Atlantic Torpedo Fleet in Newport, Rhode Island. Here, she engaged in exercises and training along the east coast. Graham also participated in Neutrality Patrol and exercises in the Panama Canal Zone as well as off Guantanamo Bay.
In 1921, Graham visited the waters off South America, the Balboa, Canal Zone and Callao, Peru as she participated in combined division, squadron and fleet maneuvers. In April of that year, Graham participated in the Presidential Fleet Review in Norfolk, Virginia. That summer, she participated in bombing tests off the Virginia coast.
In October 1921, Graham escorted SS Paris, which was carrying General Fock to New York,along with the 20th Division. While performing this duty, Graham was called upon to convoy Paris up Ambrose Channel in New York. Graham then participated in antiaircraft practice until November 12, 1921, at which time she was placed on reduced complement. While en route to New York from Charleston, South Carolina on December 16, Graham collided with SS Panama off the New Jersey coast. Due to the damage she sustained, Graham was forced to return to New York. She was then decommissioned on March 31, 1922 while at New York Navy Yard. On September 19, 1922, Graham was sold for scrap.
Asbestos Risk on the USS Graham (DD-192)
Installing asbestos fireproofing in the design of marine ships was required by Congress in the 1930s, after a fire at sea aboard the SS Morro Castle caused the deaths of 137 passengers and crew. Graham, like most Navy ships at the time, made use of asbestos insulation in large amounts in ship's boilers and engineering spaces, as well as to insulate steam pipes throughout the vessel. When asbestos insulation becomes worn it becomes friable, which means that the fibers can be broken off and escape into the atmosphere, and then are breathed in by crewmen or dockworkers, potentially leading to the development of mesothelioma.
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Sources
Graham Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Department of the Navy – Naval Historical Center. (http://history.navy.mil/danfs/g7/graham.htm) Retrieved 24 December 2010
