USS Putnam (DD-287)
USS Putnam (DD-287) was one of over 150 Clemson-class destroyers to be constructed for the US Navy after World War I. She was one of two naval vessels to be named in honor of Charles Flint Putnam, an officer in the US Navy.
Construction
Putnam was laid down on June 30, 1919 by the Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation in Squantum, Massachusetts. Launched on September 30, 1919, she was sponsored by Miss Katherine Brown. Commander Wilbur Riee Van Auken took command of Putnam on December 18, 1919 in Boston, Massachusetts.
Naval History
Following shakedown in Boston, Putnam was based in Newport, Rhode Island. Here, she was assigned to Division 43, Squadron 3, Destroyer Force Atlantic Fleet. In February 1920, Putnam sailed to Guantanamo Bay, where she was involved with target practice until late April. She then joined Isherwood and Reid as she traveled to Tampico, Mexico to assist with a volatile situation that was taking place there. After spending a month in Mexico, Putnam completed a training cruise with reservists that took her from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Newport. She was then placed on reserve on September 22.
On May 1 of the following year, Putnam was reassigned to Destroyer Division 49, Squadron 1. She then participated in summer exercises with the Destroyer Force before being placed on winter reserve in Charleston, South Carolina. On June 27, 1922, Putnam was placed with Destroyer Division 25, Squadron 9. She then participated in gunnery drills until May 1923.
After returning to Boston for an overhaul, Putnam rejoined her division in Guantanamo Bay. Here, she participated in maneuvers with other Scouting Fleet Destroyers until later October. In early January of 1925, Putnam rendezvoused with the fleet to engage in torpedo exercises in the Caribbean. In July of that year, she reported to the Newport Naval Torpedo Station. Here, Putnam participated in experimental duty while also assisting with the search for S-51. Following this operation, Putnam continued her operations with Scouting Fleet Destroyers.
In late April of 1926, Putnam resumed her regular schedule in Newport, which consisted of fleet maneuvers and experimental torpedo duty. In January of the following year, she participated in exercises in Haiti, which was followed by completing three training cruises.
After completing her training cruises, Putnam resumed operations in off of Panama before returning to Haiti for gunnery drills. She then served in two more training cruises in July and August 1929 before being decommissioned the following month, Putnam was struck from the Navy list on October 22, 1930 and was sold on January 17 the following year.
Asbestos Risk on the USS Putnam (DD-287)
The use of asbestos in the design of marine vessels was mandated by law in the United States in the early 1930s, after a deadly fire on a cruise ship killed 137 passengers and crew. Putnam, like most Navy ships at the time, utilized asbestos frequently, particularly in engines and engine spaces, as well as for insulating steam pipes in all sections of the vessel. When asbestos insulation becomes worn it can become "friable", meaning that fibers can break off and enter the air, and then can be inhaled or ingested by naval personnel or repair workers, increasing the odds of developing mesothelioma. The mineral asbestos has long been known for its ability to insulate; however, it was also demonstrated to be the primary factor in the development of such life-threatening diseases such as asbestosis and peritoneal mesothelioma.
Sadly, the prognosis for mesothelioma cases is almost never optimistic; generally mesothelioma patients have a life expectancy of a few months to a few years after they are diagnosed. If you or a loved one has received a diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma, you may be able to pursue legal options that can result in compensation for your injury. A professional mesothelioma attorney can assess your situation and recommend a course of action.
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Sources
Putnam. Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Department of the Navy – Naval Historical Center.
http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/p13/putnam-i.htm Retrieved 27 December 2010.
