USS Ludlow (DD-112)

The USS Ludlow (DD-112) was a Wickes-class destroyer that was used by the United States Navy during the early 20th century. She was the first of two ships to bear the name of Naval officer Augustus C. Ludlow (1792-1813).

Construction

Ludlow was laid down at Union Iron Works in San Francisco, California. Launched on June 9, 1918, she was officially commissioned in December 1918 under the command of Commander M. K. Metcalf.

Naval History

Ludlow spent the majority of her career based in the Pacific Ocean. In July of 1920, she was redesignated DM-10, and she arrived at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, in January of 1921, where she would stay for the next eight years.

Ludlow participated in gunnery practice, mining operations, antisubmarine training, and other situational training in and around the Hawaiian Islands and other areas along the West Coast. In 1929, she trained Naval reservists. In November of 1929, she left Pearl Harbor for San Diego, where she was decommissioned on May 24, 1930. In March of the following year, Ludlow was scrapped and her metal was sold.

Asbestos Risk on the USS Ludlow (DD-112)

Fire safety regulations in the 1930s greatly increased the amount of asbestos materials used at sea. Ludlow was built before those regulations, so the quantity and extent of asbestos exposure suffered by her crew is difficult to judge. It is known that the U.S. Navy relied on asbestos insulation even before those regulations were passed. As mesothelioma is only caused by asbestos exposure, if you were diagnosed with the cancer and served aboard Ludlow, materials aboard the ship likely contributed to your disease.

Sources

Ludlow. Dictionary of American Fighting Ships.
http://www.history.navy.mil/DANFS/l33/ludlow-ii.htm). Retrieved 31 December 2010.