USS Woolsey (DD-77)
USS Woolsey (DD-77) was a Wickes-class destroyer in the US Navy during World War I. She was the first of two naval vessels to be named in honor of Melanchthon Taylor Woolsey, who was an officer in the US Navy during the War of 1812.
Construction
Woolsey was laid down by the Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine on November 1, 1917. Sponsored by Mrs. Elise Campau Wells, she was launched on September 17, 1918. Thirteen days later, Lieutenant Commander Frederick V. McNair, Jr. took command of the ship.
Naval History
After commissioning, Woolsey underwent outfitting at the Boston Navy Yard and the Newport Torpedo Station. She then joined battleship Virginia in New York before heading to Europe. She served as a screening ship for Convoy HX-52, which was turned over to a British escort force. After completing this duty, Woolsey was set on course for Buncrana, Ireland. Two days after arriving there, she traveled down the Irish Sea as she headed to Ponta Delgada in the Azores. After fueling at Ponta Delgada, she continued home and finally reentered New York on November 5.
Woolsey spent about a month in New York before heading back to Europe to assist with postwar duties. She reported for duty to the Commander of Naval Forces Europe on December 20. She then performed a variety of missions throughout Europe for the next seven months, though her primary mission was to transport passengers and mail between Brest and various ports throughout southern England. On March 11, 1919, she assisted with the escort of George Washington to Brest as she transported President Woodrow Wilson. Woolsey then performed several cross-channel runs between France and England before she was once again called upon to escort George Washington on her return voyage home from the Versailles peace conference.
Ten days after seeing George Washington safely home, Woolsey set sea with the Pacific Fleet. After reaching Panama, she transited the canal and headed to the Hawaiian Islands. Upon completion of these maneuvers, she returned to San Diego and was taken out of commission on May 31, 1920 at the Mare Island Navy Yard. After undergoing an extensive overhaul, she was recommissioned on October 20. She then operated with the Pacific Fleet along North America’s western coast. On February 26, 1921, Woolsey was cut in half after a collision with the merchant vessel SS Steel Inventor while operating off the Pacific cost of Panama. Although Woolsey was sunk, her survivors were rescued by her sister ship, Aaron Ward.
Asbestos Risk on the USS Woolsey (DD-77)
Asbestos is most dangerous when it becomes airborn. This is usually the result of damaged or worn products that contain asbestos. On the USS Woolsey, asbestos was largely used as an insulator and for fire prevention. You'd likely have encountered it in the engine room, near boilers, and in gaskets, pumps, and pipefittings. Sailors that serviced such parts or worked in and around the engine room are the most likely to have been exposed to asbestos fibers and be at risk for mesothelioma, but all sailors that served aboard the Woolsey share some exposure risks.
An experienced mesothelioma lawyer can help determine where your exposure occurred, what products might have caused your injury, and what compensation you are entitled to. If you or a loved one was diagnosed with mesothelioma after serving aboard the USS Woolsey, please fill out the form on this page for more information about the disease, your treatment options, and how we can help.
Sources
Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.
http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/w11/woolsey-i.htm Retrieved 14 December 2010
