USS Phillip (DD-76)
USS Phillip (DD-76) was a Wickes-class destroyer in the US Navy that served during World War I. She was named in honor of John Woodward Phillip, who was an officer in the US Navy during both the Civil and Spanish-American wars.
Construction
Phillip was laid down in Bath, Maine by the Bath Iron Works on September 1, 1917. Sponsored by Mrs. Barrett P. Philip, Philip was launched on July 25, 1918. Lieutenant Commander John F. Cox took command of Philip on August 24, 1918 after she was commissioned at the Boston Navy Yard.
Naval History
One week after being commissioned, Phillip reported to Commander Squadron Two, Cruiser Force. She then escorted convoy HX-47 across the Atlantic Ocean before serving as the flagship of the Submarine Hunting Group stationed in New Jersey a few weeks later. From there, she steamed to Europe with convoy HX-54 before returning to New York in November. In May of the following year, Philip supported the trans-Atlantic flights of NC-1, NC-3 and NC-4. She also played a role in experimental firing tests performed by the Army at Fort Hancock in New York. In September 1919, Philip cruised to Pearl Harbor where she participated in division maneuvers, tactical exercises and fleet movements. She also cruised the west coast of South America, the United States and the Panama Canal Zone.
On May 29, 1922, Philip was placed out of commission. She was recommissioned nearly 8 years later after being reconditioned and undergoing an overhaul. She was then attached to Destroyer Squadrons, Battle Fleet, where she conducted maneuvers and gunnery practice in the San Diego area. Philip continued to perform various tasks from the New York Navy Yard, Staten Island, the New England Coast, the Bermuda operating area, Tangier Sound and Virginia over the next several years. She also operated in the Panama, Nicaragua and El Salvador area after joining the Special Service Squadron.
On May 9, 1932, Philip was placed on reduced commission at Mare Island Navy Yard. She continued in this capacity until the end of July. She was then involved in intensive division training and torpedo practice with the Destroyer Division 6, Squadron 2, Battle Fleet before being placed on reduced status once again in December 1933. She decommissioned at Destroyer Base, San Diego in April 1937 before being recommissioned in September 1939 and being placed on neutrality patrol in the Key West area. During this time, she visited a number of ports around the world, including bases in Cuba, San Juan and Puerto Rico.
Phillip continued to serve out of the Key West area until July 1940. She was then overhauled at New York Navy Yard before she was decommissioned on October 23, 1940 and turned over to British authorities as part of the ships for bases exchange. At this time, she was renamed HMS Lancaster and transferred to the Royal Navy.
Asbestos Risk on the USS Phillip (DD-76)
Like all ships of this era, the USS Phillip deployed asbestos in many systems that required excellent insulation or fire resistance. The heaviest concentration of asbestos products was in the boiler and engine rooms, but it could also be found covering steam pipes throughout the vessel. When these asbestos products are worn or damaged, they become "friable", which means that fibers can break off and escape into the surrounding air, where they can be inhaled or ingested by ship's crew and shipbuilders, possibly causing serious illnesses like mesothelioma.
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Sources
Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.
http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/p6/philip-i.htm Retrieved 14 December 2010
