USS Sigsbee (DD-502)
The USS Sigsbee (DD-505) was a Fletcher class destroyer in the U.S. Navy during World War II. She was named in honor of Admiral Sigsbee (1845-1923), the commander of the battleship USS Maine at the time of her demise.
Construction
Built in Kearny, New Jersey, by the Federal Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company, she was launched in December 1942 and commissioned in January 1943 under the command of Commander Benjamin V. Russell.
Naval History
Sigsbee underwent training at Casco Bay, ME, before sailing to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, where she completed her shakedown. After escorting ships along the east coast, Sigsbee made two separate voyages to Trinidad, escorting the Independence and the Lexington. In August, Sigsbee arrived at Pearl Harbor where she joined three carriers, Yorktown, Essex, and Independence, for the assaults on Marcus Island. After a break at Pearl Harbor, Sigsbee took part in the attack against Wake Island in October. With Task Force 53, Sigsbee launched an assault at Gilbert Islands and Betio, at Tarawa Atoll.
In January 1944, with Task Force 52, Sigsbee assisted in the capture of Kwajalein, Marshall Island. Sigsbee shelled Ennylanegan Island, and with Ringgold, entered the lagoon where she provided gunfire support for the troops. In March, Sigsbee departed the Marshalls and with Task Force 37, joined in the bombardment of Kavieng, New Ireland. Sigsbee joined TU 53.1.14 and shelled the beaches at Guam during the Marianas campaign and provided cover for the underwater demolition teams. In September, she joined Task Force 77 and supplied gunfire support for the landings at Cape Podangi. Together with Task Force 78 Sigsbee participated in the assault and landings on Leyte, Philippines before sailing to San Francisco for an overhaul.
In January 1945, with Task Force 58, Sigsbee launched assaults against Japan and Okinawa to bolster the landings on Iwo Jima. While on picket duty off Okinawa, Sigsbee was struck be a kamikaze which killed 23 men and caused extensive damage. Sigsbee was repaired at Pearl Harbor and set sail for the east coast of the United States. Sigsbee arrived at Charleston in 1946. In December 1974, she was stricken from the Naval List and sold for scrap in July 1975.
Sigsbee was awarded 11 battle stars for her World War II service.
Asbestos Risk on the USS Sigsbee (DD-502)
Sigsbee was laden with asbestos products from stem to stern. It was used to insulate engines, turbines, boilers, and steam pipes. Pumps and valves were packed with asbestos. The mineral was also mixed into cements and paints used on board. All veterans of this ship had significant risk of asbestos exposure as a result of their service.
The risk was greatest for those working in engineering, damage control, and firefighting. Sailors performing those duties were most likely to encounter airborne asbestos fibers. Individual asbestos fibers were nearly invisible, and were easily inhaled during the course of normal duty. Once inhaled, asbestos fibers can lodge in the thin tissue that buffers many internal organs, leading to mesothelioma cancer. The significant damage suffered by Sigsbee after the kamikaze attack almost certainly sent clouds of these dangerous asbestos fibers billowing into the air.
Sources
Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships
http://www.hazegray.org/danfs/destroy/dd502txt.htm) Retrieved 25 January 2011
