USS Lawrence (DD-250)
The USS Lawrence (DD-250) served for two-and-a-half decades during the early part of the 20th century. She was named for James Lawrence, who served in the War of 1812 and is famous for the command “Don’t give up the ship.” Lawrence was built as a Clemson-class destroyer.
Construction
Lawrence was laid down in Camden, New Jersey by the New York Shipbuilding Corporation in August 1919, launched in July 1920, and commissioned in April 1921 with Lieutenant Commander J.E. Wellbrook in command. Carrying a crew of 114, Lawrence was armed with four 4-inch rapid-fire guns, one three-inch anti-aircraft gun, and twelve 21-inch torpedo tubes.
Naval History
Initially assigned to the Destroyer Force, Atlantic Fleet, Lawrence began service in the Mediterranean Sea in July 1922, where she provided service to various agencies that helped inhabitants of the Near East and Russia during the Crimean crisis. Lawrence also rescued Greek refugees from Turkish-occupied territories. In October, Lawrence returned to duty in the United States and participated in exercises to test defenses and other facilities at the Panama Canal in January 1924. Lawrence was then assigned to reserve training cruises and other naval exercises in the Hawaiian Islands until 1927.
In February 1927, Lawrence was deployed to Nicaragua during the civil war to protect Americans, resumed duties with the Scouting Fleet, and then was decommissioned at Philadelphia in January 1931. Lawrence was reactivated in June 1932, with Lieutenant Commander T.E. Downey in command, and joined the Pacific Fleet for tactical and strategic exercises until September 1938. She was decommissioned until September 1939 at San Diego and then operated in the Caribbean and at the sound school in New London, Connecticut.
Lawrence was later assigned to the sound school at San Diego in December, and commenced escort duty when the United States entered World War II. Her duties included escorting ships between San Francisco and Seattle, and a convoy escort from San Francisco to Kodiak, Alaska in August 1942. Lawrence conducted patrol and escort duty off San Francisco until the end of World War II, and in May 1944, rescued 192 men from the grounded SS Henry Bergh. She was decommissioned at Philadelphia in October 1945 and sold for scrap to Boston Metals Company in October 1946.
Asbestos Risk on the USS Lawrence (DD-250)
Using asbestos-containing materials in the construction of marine vessels was required by law in the United States in the early 1930s, after a fire at sea aboard a luxury liner killed 137 passengers and crew. Vessels like Lawrence made use of asbestos insulation in great quantities around boilers and engine compartments, and to insulate pipes in all sections of the vessel. When asbestos insulation is worn or damaged it can become friable, meaning that the fibers can break off and enter the air, allowing them to be breathed in by naval personnel and repair workers, potentially leading to the development of mesothelioma.
Tragically, a mesothelioma prognosis is generally not positive and most mesothelioma disease victims only survive for around a year after the disease is detected. Since mesothelioma is an uncommon condition, not many hospitals and clinicians are able to provide high-quality mesothelioma treatment. Victims who have been affected by malignant mesothelioma may find a mesothelioma attorney to be a good resource for helping them to understand their legal rights.
In addition, our mesothelioma information kit contains information about legal options and choices for medical treatment, as well as a list of cancer centers in the United States. All you have to do is submit the form on this page and we will mail you a free package.
Sources
Haze Gray & Underway. Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. DD-250. (http://www.hazegray.org/danfs/destroy/dd250txt.htm) Retrieved 31 December 2010.
NavSource Naval History, USS Lawrence (DD-250).
(http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/250.htm) Retrieved 31 December 2010.
