USS McFarland (DD-237)

The USS McFarland (DD-237) served in the US Navy for over two-and-a-half decades in the early 20th century. She was named for Seaman John McFarland, who received the Medal of Honor for his service in the Civil War. McFarland was built as a Clemson-class destroyer.

Construction

McFarland was laid down in Camden, New Jersey by the New York Shipbuilding Company in July 1918, launched in March 1920, and commissioned in September with Lieutenant Commander Preston B. Haines in command. Carrying a crew of 114, McFarland was 314 feet, five inches long and armed with four 4-inch rapid-fire guns, one three-inch anti-aircraft gun, and twelve 21-inch torpedo tubes.

Naval History

Deployed to Europe in November 1920, McFarland operated in the English Channel for two months as well as near Gibraltar and then Spalato with the Adriatic Detachment in March 1921. McFarland served in Turkish waters in July, and then in the United States until October, before returning to the Mediterranean until the spring of 1923 for diplomatic and humanitarian service following World War I.

McFarland was deployed to Hawaii to participate in fleet exercises in 1925, and then was put in reserve at Philadelphia in 1931. In August 1940, McFarland was converted to AVD-14, Seaplane tender and assigned to the Pacific Fleet. During this deployment, McFarland patrolled near Oahu following the Pearl Harbor attack, and operated out of Pearl Harbor until June 1942. McFarland was then deployed to the South Pacific, and conducted tender duties near the Espiritu Santo-Santa Cruz area, where she transported supplies and evacuated wounded Marines.

In October, McFarland was attacked by dive bombers while unloading cargo and wounded personnel at Lunga Roads. A nearby by gasoline barge was struck, and McFarland was hit once and received damage to her steering engine and rudder. McFarland lost 11 crew members, while 12 were wounded, and was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation following the incident.

McFarland was repaired at Florida Island and at Espiritu Santo, and arrived back at Pearl Harbor in December 1942. She was repaired by April 1943 and was re-designated DD-237 when stationed at San Diego, where she served with carriers conducting training exercises. In November 1945, McFarland was decommissioned at Philadelphia and then sold for scrap to the North American Smelting Company in October 1946.

Asbestos Risk on the USS McFarland (DD-237)

The use of asbestos-containing materials in the construction of all vessels was mandated by Congress in the early 1930s, after a fire at sea on the SS Morro Castle resulted in great loss of life. Ships like McFarland used asbestos insulation in large quantities, especially in boilers and engineering compartments, as well as for fireproofing in the other sections of the ship. When asbestos is damaged it can become friable, meaning that the fibers can break off and enter the surrounding air, where they are breathed in by crewmen and shipfitters, increasing the chances of contracting mesothelioma. After asbestos gets into the body, tiny fibers lodge in the mesothelium, a paper-thin layer of cells which surrounds and buffers the body's heart, lung, and abdominal cavities, and over time inflammation from the fibers can cause mesothelioma.

As of this writing, medicine has not yet discovered a mesothelioma cure. However, there are a number of palliative treatments which can enhance survival time and make those who suffer from the disease morecomfortable, such as mesothelioma surgery.

If you or a family member has received a diagnosis of peritoneal or pleural mesothelioma you may be eligible for financial compensation and a mesothelioma lawyer can help you understand your legal rights. Another comprehensive resource for mesothelioma patients is our mesothelioma information packet. It contains complete information about legal options and choices for medical treatment, and a list of clinical trials in the United States. Just complete the form on this page and we will send you a package, at no charge.

Sources

Haze Gray & Underway. Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. DD-237.
http://www.hazegray.org/danfs/destroy/dd237txt.htm Retrieved 30 December 2010.

NavSource Naval History, USS McFarland (DD-237).
http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/237.htm Retrieved 30 December 2010.