USS William Jones (DD-308)
USS William Jones (DD-308) was one of 156 Clemson-class destroyers to be constructed for the U.S. Navy. She was named in honor of U.S. Secretary of the Navy William Jones, who was an American politician who served in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Construction
William Jones was laid down by the Bethlehem Steel Corporation at San Francisco, California on October 2, 1918. Launched on April 9, 1919, she was sponsored by Mrs. Ernest P. McRitchie, who was the wife of Bethlehem Shipbuilding’s assistant naval architect. Lieutenant Commander C.E. Rosendahl took temporary command of William Jones on September 30, 1920 at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard in Vallejo, California. Lieutenant Commander J.G.B. Gromer took permanent command on November 16 that year.
Naval History
Following commissioning, William Jones was assigned to Division 34, Squadron 12, Destroyer Force, Pacific Fleet. By 1922, she had been assigned to Destroyer Squadrons, Battle Fleet. William Jones continued to work with her new assignment for the next seven years, with her schedule primarily consisting of participating in battle practices, fleet maneuvers, torpedo firing and gunnery.
In March 1925, William Jones joined the Fleet to participate in Fleet Problems V. During this operation, she screened Battle Fleet units off Baja, California while they performed maneuvers such as screening, seizing and fueling at sea. That summer, William Jones served as a plane-guard for the PN-9 flying boat flight. Like most of the flying boats, PN-9 did not make it to Hawaii. Due to a malfunctioning fuel line, the vessel was forced down. William Jones was able to locate the flying boat and successfully towed her into the San Francisco harbor.
The following September, William Jones participated in the Diamond Jubilee celebrations before resuming regular operations in San Francisco. She continued to work along the Pacific coast until early March 1926, at which time she traveled to the Atlantic Ocean to participate in maneuvers with the Fleet. William Jones then visited a number of east coast ports before returning to the west coast in June.
After being moored at San Diego, William Jones embarked upon a reserve training cruise to Alaskan waters. She then returned to San Diego before heading to Port Angeles, Washington, where she participated in joint Army-Navy maneuvers. William Jones returned to San Diego in August 1929 and remained inactive until she was decommissioned on May 24, 1930 in accordance with the London Treaty. Her name was struck from the Navy list on August 13 the following year and she was sold for scrap on February 25, 1932.
Asbestos Risk on the USS William Jones (DD-308)
Most crewmen stationed or working on William Jones were likely exposed to asbestos fibers to some extent. Large amounts of asbestos dust could also be found any place where work was performed on Navy ships, including shipyards and drydocks. Shipfitters, boilermakers, engineers, and others who installed or repaired asbestos-containing materials were at a high risk of exposure.
Crew members repairing ship's machinery were more heavily exposed, as were sailors serving in damage control parties. Because asbestos is such a good insulator, it could be found around steam pipes as well as around equipment in the engine room. Asbestos-containing materials were everywhere on the ship largely as a result of the steam pipes that ran through the corridors, as well as the pumps and valves which used asbestos packing.
Asbestos causes malignant mesothelioma by injuring the mesothelium membrane after it is inhaled. In addition to malignant mesothelioma, asbestos causes several ailments, like asbestos-related lung cancer. There is legal recourse available to former sailors who have developed mesothelioma. Please fill out the form on this page to learn more.
Sources
William Jones. Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Department of the Navy – Naval Historical Center.
http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/w9/william_jones.htm
