USS Osborne (DD-295)
USS Osborne (DD-295) was one of more than 150 Clemson-class destroyers constructed for the US Navy, with her construction occurring after World War I. She was named in honor of Weedon Osborne, a US Navy officer who earned the Medal of Honor for his actions during World War I.
Construction
Osborne was laid down by Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation in Squantum, Massachusetts on September 23, 1919. She was launched on December 29, 1919 and was co-sponsored by Mrs. C.H. Cox and Mrs. Elizabeth Osborne Fisher, who was the sister of Weedon Osborne. Lieutenant Dennis L. Ryan took command of Osborne on May 17, 1920.
Naval History
Following commissioning, Osborne joined DesRon3, Atlantic Fleet with a partial complement. She then engaged in limited coastal operations, which included 2 months of battle problems and fleet exercises in Cuban waters in 1921. While Charleston, South Carolina served as her normal base of operations, Osborne also occasionally operated out of the Philadelphia Navy Yards and Brooklyn.
Each year, Osborne steamed southward in order to participate in competitive exercises and large scale tactical maneuvers. While engaged in these activities, Osborne sailed in Caribbean waters and along the Pacific coast of Panama.
On June 18, 1925, Osborne embarked on a year-long cruise, during which she displayed the flag while under the command of Raymond A. Spruance. During this time, Osborne cruised along the western half of the Mediterranean Sea and along the western European coastline.
Osborne entered the Philadelphia Navy yard on September 20, 1929 and was decommissioned on the May 1 of the following year. At that time, her crew was transferred to Taylor (DD-94), which had been newly recommissioned. Osborne was struck from the Navy list on October 22, 1930 in accordance with the London Naval Disarmament Conference of 1930, which called for the reduction of naval armaments.
Although Osborne was sold for scrap on January 17, 1931, she managed to escape this fate when she was converted to a commercial fruit carrier. Osborne was then renamed MV Matagalpo. During World War II, the former Osborne served as a US Army freighter. On June 26, 1942, the former Osborne was burned while in Sydney, Australia. She did not undergo repairs after the incident, but was scuttled off Sidney on September 6, 1947 instead.
Asbestos Risk on the USS Osborne (DD-295)
Installing asbestos-containing materials in the design of marine vessels was mandated by law in the United States in the early 1930s, after a deadly fire aboard the SS Morro Castle resulted in enormous loss of life. Osborne made use of asbestos insulation heavily, particularly in ship's boilers and engine rooms, and to insulate steam pipes in other parts of the vessel. If asbestos is damaged it can become friable, meaning that the fibers can be broken off and escape into the surrounding air, where they are breathed in by naval personnel or dockworkers, potentially leading to the development of mesothelioma. The harm caused by asbestos fibers occurs when microscopic fibers are breathed in or swallowed; the fibers invade the mesothelial lining and sometimes the stomach, leading to scar tissue in the case of pleural plaques and cellular damage in the case of mesothelioma.
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Sources
Osborne. Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Department of the Navy – Naval Historical Center.
http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/o4/osborne.htm Retrieved 31 December 2010.
