01. History
Defoe Shipyard History
In 1905, Defoe Shipbuilding Company opened in Bay City, Michigan. In 1917, it started building big torpedo chasers for the U.S. military. Defoe became a prominent 20th-century shipbuilder, with ships used in many major wars. As the company expanded, it began making different ship types and sizes.
Near the end of World War I, Defoe received a contract from the Army Transport Service for eight 98-foot steam mine planters. To fulfill this order, the company constructed a steel building yard – Defoe Shipyard. Workers soon built nearly 30 chasers. These were a mix of 75-foot wooden rumrunners and 100-foot steel chasers used for various war efforts.
Asbestos use was widespread throughout operations at shipyards like Defoe. Despite their growing awareness of the dangers of asbestos, shipyards continued to use it for decades. As a result, veterans and Defoe Shipyard workers developed health issues like mesothelioma.
Defoe Shipyard History at a Glance
- Other Names: Defoe Boat and Motor Works, Defoe Company, Defoe Shipbuilding Corporation, Defoe Steel Yard
- Location: Bay City, Michigan
- Owner(s): Defoe Shipbuilding Company, OmniSource
- Years of Operation: 1918 – 1976
- Wartime Operations: World War I (WWI), World War II (WWII), Cold War, Korean War, Vietnam War
- Noteworthy Ships: HMAS Brisbane, HMAS Perth, USCGC Escanaba, USS Rich
- Types of Ships Built/Serviced: Destroyer escorts, fireboats, frigates, guided missile destroyers, ice breakers, lighthouse tenders, mine planters, minesweepers, patrol craft boats, rumrunner chasers, steam torpedo chasers, steam turbine cutters, subchasers, tugboats, yachts
Defoe was a powerhouse among shipbuilding companies. Countless personnel worked at its shipyard and built, repaired or served on its vessels. Workers and veterans faced exposure risks from asbestos materials throughout its facilities and ships.
Notable Ships Built and Repaired
For most of the 20th century, Defoe had the reputation of a master shipbuilder. Workers here constructed many types of cutting-edge naval vessels. Some were private yachts, but many were for the U.S. and Australian militaries.
Two notable ships built at Defoe Shipyard were the USCGC Escanaba (WPG-77) and the USS Rich (DE-695). These well-known ships were integral to WWII. But like many other military ships then, they contained asbestos materials that posed serious health risks.
USCGC Escanaba (WPG-77)
The USCGC Escanaba was a steam turbine cutter commissioned in 1932 by the U.S. Coast Guard. During WWII, the ship was assigned duties in Greenland and other North Atlantic areas. Here, it performed convoy escort and search-and-rescue operations. In the ship’s most famous rescue, it saved 132 survivors from merchant ships torpedoed by a German U-boat.
In 1943, the USCGC Escanaba and its sailors sank after an explosion near Newfoundland. This historic ship was 165 feet long and had a 1,500 horsepower steam turbine engine. Building and sailing a ship so large required hundreds of sailors. This work came with asbestos risks that led to health problems for many.
USS Rich (DE-695)
The USS Rich was one of Defoe’s Buckley-class destroyer escorts. Named in honor of Lieutenant Ralph M. Rich, the ship was commissioned in 1943. After some training and convoy escort duties in the Atlantic, it was deployed for the 1944 D-Day invasion.
While supporting minesweeping operations, the ship struck a mine and was heavily damaged. Amid rescue efforts, it hit two more mines. These explosions broke the ship apart, and the USS Rich quickly sank. Despite its brief service, hundreds of sailors sailed on this ship. Many may suffer from health problems due to asbestos exposure.
Resources for Mesothelioma Patients
02. Asbestos Use
Asbestos at Defoe Shipyard
From the early 1900s to the 1980s, asbestos was widely used in the shipbuilding industry. The mineral offered insulation, durability and heat protection. Defoe and other shipyards used asbestos products throughout their construction and in the ships themselves.
Workers didn’t often have proper protective gear or awareness of these health risks, even when company leadership was aware. Exposure to asbestos may lead to the development of cancers like mesothelioma. The history of asbestos use in shipyards like Defoe poses ongoing risks for many people.
Asbestos Exposure at Defoe Shipyard
Asbestos was commonly used in ship areas exposed to high heat. This includes high-traffic places like engine rooms, boilers and pipe systems. These areas are often enclosed, which can increase exposure risks. Workers may also have handled asbestos-containing materials like insulation and fireproof cloth.
Occupations at Defoe Shipyard that faced asbestos risks include:
- Boatbuilders
- Boiler workers
- Construction workers
- Electricians
- Engineers
- HVAC workers
- Insulators
- Laborers
- Masons
- Mechanics
- Molders
- Painters
- Pipefitters
- Plant workers
- Plumbers
- Riveters
- Roofers
- Sailmakers
- Shipfitters
- Shipwrights
- Steamfitters
- Welders
- Wharf builders
- Woodworkers
Though effective for heat protection, asbestos is linked to serious health conditions. For years, shipyards like Defoe continued using it to meet production demands. Many workers and veterans now suffer from mesothelioma and other related conditions.
03. Lawsuits
Asbestos Lawsuits for Defoe Shipyard
Anyone diagnosed with mesothelioma who worked at Defoe Shipyard may have rights to compensation. Depending on each case, clients may have various legal options to consider. For instance, workers may be eligible to file lawsuits against Defoe and trust fund claims. Veterans may also be eligible for government benefits.
Lawyers at asbestos law firms can explain all legal options to clients. They can also help determine the cause of exposure and gather evidence. Mesothelioma lawyers can make this process as easy as possible for patients and their loved ones.
04. Trust Fund Claims
Asbestos Trusts Associated With Defoe Shipyard
Defoe Shipyard is approved as a jobsite on several asbestos trust funds for other companies. These trusts are made during bankruptcy proceedings to set aside money for victims. Defoe Shipyard workers and veterans may be eligible to file claims against these trust funds.
Asbestos Trust Funds and Eligible Years of Employment
The following companies provided asbestos products to Defoe Shipyard. After exposing innocent people to asbestos and facing many asbestos lawsuits, these companies filed for bankruptcy and created trust funds to pay victims. If an individual worked at Defoe Shipyard and developed a disease such as mesothelioma, they may be able to file a claim against these companies’ trusts.
| Asbestos Company Name | Eligibility Start Date | Eligibility End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Babcock & Wilcox | 12/31/1982 | |
| Combustion Engineering | 12/31/1982 | |
| Eagle-Picher Industries | ||
| Keene Corporation | 1/1/1951 | 12/31/1982 |
| NARCO | 1/1/1961 | 3/31/1962 |
| Owens Corning/Fibreboard | 12/31/1982 | |
| Owens-Corning Fiberglas | 1/1/1940 | 12/31/1982 |
| Pittsburgh Corning | 1/1/1969 |
Regardless of when you were employed, contacting an asbestos lawyer is still helpful. They can determine your filing options by reviewing your work history and potential exposures.
