USS Mason (DD-191)
USS Mason (DD-191) was a Clemson-class destroyer constructed for the US Navy during World War I. She was the first naval vessel to be named in honor of John Y. Mason, a United States federal judge as well as the Secretary of the Navy.
Construction
Mason was laid down on July 10, 1918 by Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company in Newport News, Virginia. Launched on March 8, 1919, Mason was sponsored by Miss Mary Mason Williams, who was the great-granddaughter of Mason. Lieutenant Carl F. Holden took temporary command of Mason on February 28, 1920 at Norfolk Navy Yard. Lieutenant Commander Hartwell C. Davis took command of the ship on March 8.
Naval History
Mason operated along the east coast for two years following her shakedown before sailing to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was decommissioned on July 3, 1922 at the Philadelphia Navy Yard as part of the Washington Naval Treaty, which called for limiting naval armament.
In response to the outbreak of World War II in Europe, Mason was recommissioned on December 4, 1939. The following year, she was transferred to Great Britain as part of the destroyers for bases agreement. She arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia on October 2 and was decommissioned 6 days later. The following day, Mason was officially transferred to the British Royal Navy, at which point she was renamed HMS Broadwater (H-81).
On October 15, the ship formerly known as Mason set sail for the British Isles. She arrived in Scotland on the 26th, at which time she began her service with the 11th Escort Group, Western Approaches Command. The following year, the former Mason began escorting convoys while also carrying military supplies and troops around the Cape of Good Hope. In May and June of 1941, the former Mason spent time in Southampton, England, until she was assigned to the Newfoundland Escort Force the following month.
While serving in the Newfoundland Escort Force, she patrolled the North Atlantic while providing convoys with protection against German submarines. She continued to serve in this capacity until fall of that year.
On October 17, 1941, she was attacked by a U-boat. The following day, she was sunk by German submarine U-101. Forty crew members and four officers, including American Lieutenant John Stanley Parker RNVR, lost their lives. Lieutenant Parker was the first American to die in action while serving with the White Ensign.
Asbestos Risk on the USS Mason (DD-191)
Using asbestos-containing materials in the design of marine vessels was required by law in the United States in the early 1930s, after a fire at sea on the SS Morro Castle resulted in great loss of life. Mason deployed asbestos frequently around boilers and engineering compartments, and to insulate compartments all over the ship. The harm brought about by asbestos happens when microscopic fibers are inhaled or ingested; they invade the respiratory system and sometimes the stomach, causing scarring in the case of asbestosis and cellular damage in the case of mesothelioma cancer.
Tragically, the prognosis in mesothelioma cases is not usually optimistic as mesothelioma disease victims typically have a life expectancy of around a year after diagnosis. Because mesothelioma is a relatively rare condition, there are only select clinics and physicians provide treatment for the disease.
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Sources
Mason. Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Department of the Navy – Naval Historical Center.
http://history.navy.mil/danfs/m6/mason-i.htm Retrieved 24 December 2010.
