USS Hull (DD-330)
The USS Hull (DD-330) served in the U.S. Navy for a decade during the early part of the 20th century. She was named for Captain Isaac Hull who served in the Tripolitan War and the War of 1812. Hull was built as a Clemson-class ship.
Construction
Hull was laid down at San Francisco, California by the Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation in September 1920, launched in May 1920, and commissioned in September 1921 with Lieutenant T.J. Doyle, Jr., in command. Carrying a crew of 114, Hull was 314 feet, five inches long, with a beam of 31 feet, eight inches and draught of nine feet, 10 inches. Driven by geared turbines supporting a cruising speed of 35 knots, Hull was armed with four 4-inch rapid-fire guns, one three-inch anti-aircraft gun, and twelve 21-inch torpedo tubes.
Naval History
Hull began operating out of San Diego, California and conducted tactical exercises in 1921, and then participated in charting and sounding operations off southern California in 1922. In the winter, she operated off Panama and San Diego before sailing to Alaska in June 1923 as an escort for President Harding, who became ill during this trip and later died in August. Hull returned to San Diego in September for routine operations and exercises.
Hull was initially commanded by Lieutenant T.J. Doyle, Jr., and then later by Lieutenant Commander Edward Cook Raguet and Lieutenant Commander J.C. Hillaird. In January 1924, she served in the Caribbean and also operated off Vera Cruz, Mexico during the Mexican revolution to protect American citizens and property in the area. Hull was then deployed for operation between Seattle, Washington and Seward, Alaska. During this deployment, she conducted soundings for the installation of the Alaskan cable.
Hull resumed operations out of San Diego, and then sailed with Battle Fleet 17 in November 1927 to the Caribbean, before returning to port in June to conduct training operations. Following an overhaul at the Mare Island Navy Yard, Hull was decommissioned in March 1930 at San Diego and sold for scrap in June 1931, to comply with the terms of the London Treaty of 1930 for naval disarmament.
Asbestos Risk on the USS Hull (DD-330)
Hull was constructed before strict fire safety regulations for Navy vessels were enacted, and thus contained fewer asbestos parts than the ships built in the 1930s and later. She did use asbestos to insulate sensitive areas and systems, like her engine room and boilers. Such parts often shed tiny fibers as they suffered wear and tear damage. Those fibers were carried throughout the ship, endangering most of Hull’s crew. Once inhaled, asbestos can lead to mesothelioma and other serious diseases.
Sources
Haze Gray & Underway. Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. DD-330.
http://www.hazegray.org/danfs/destroy/dd330txt.htm
NavSource Naval History, USS Hull (DD-330).
http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/330.htm
