Swan Island Shipyard History
Industrialist Henry J. Kaiser started the Kaiser Shipbuilding Company in 1939. He expanded when the United States entered World War II (WWII), and the country needed to build ships quickly. The United States military paid Kaiser to build a shipyard at the site of Swan Island airport in Portland, Oregon. The Kaiser shipyard on Swan Island opened in 1942.
Besides Kaiser Shipbuilding, other companies leased space at Swan Island. These included Northwest Marine Iron Works and Cascade General Inc. But after the war, Kaiser Shipbuilding sold the shipyard to the Port of Portland. It operated the shipyard until 1999, when it sold the facility to Cascade General Inc.
In 2005, Cascade General formed a joint venture with Oregon Ironworks. This new company would eventually become known as Vigor Marine Group. The former Swan Island Shipyard is now known as Vigor Portland.
Swan Island Shipyard History at a Glance
- Other Names: Kaiser Shipbuilding, Port of Portland, US Barge, US Fab, Vigor Fab, Vigor Industrial (Portland), Vigor Portland
- Location: Portland, Oregon
- Owner(s): Cascade General Inc., Henry J. Kaiser, Port of Portland, Vigor Marine Group
- Years of Operation: 1942 – Present
- Wartime Operations: World War II (WWII)
- Size of Shipyards: 400 acres
- Noteworthy Ships: Bent’s Fort, Fort Dearborn, Schenectady
- Types of Ships Built/Serviced: T2 Tankers
Many shipbuilders used asbestos in the ships they built and repaired. Veterans and other workers at the Swan Island Shipyard may have been exposed to the harmful mineral. Those who become sick with an asbestos-related disease may have legal options.
Resources for Mesothelioma Patients
Asbestos at Swan Island Shipyard
For many years, shipbuilders used asbestos in different applications. Workers would install asbestos-containing materials to insulate parts of the ship. These materials could commonly be found in places like the engine and boiler rooms. Some ships also had materials like asbestos ceilings, decking and wall panels. Many shipyards had asbestos in their structures, too, putting more people at risk.
Asbestos Exposure at Swan Island Shipyard
During WWII, the shipyards at Swan Island produced hundreds of ships. Kaiser Shipbuilding at Swan Island built more than 150 T2 tankers in three years. To build these ships, thousands of people came to work at Swan Island. Many of them may have been exposed to asbestos.
Some occupations at risk of exposure included:
- Boiler workers
- Electricians
- Insulators
- Joiners
- Machinists
- Mechanics
- Molders
- Painters
- Pipefitters
- Sheet metal fabricators
- Shipwrights
- Steamfitters
- Toolmakers
- Track workers
- Veterans
- Welders
People exposed to asbestos may later develop an asbestos-related disease, like mesothelioma or other cancers.
Asbestos Lawsuits and Settlements for Swan Island Shipyard
Many of the companies that operated out of the Swan Island Shipyard facilities put their workers at risk of asbestos exposure. Some workers at these shipyards have developed mesothelioma and may have legal options.
These workers may be eligible to file mesothelioma lawsuits against their employers and asbestos suppliers. These lawsuits may result in jury verdicts or settlements. For example, a 74-year-old Navy veteran received over $999,000 in a settlement.
An experienced mesothelioma lawyer can explain your options and file a lawsuit on your behalf. They can also research your case and find asbestos trust funds that may provide additional compensation.
Asbestos Trusts Associated With Swan Island Shipyard
Swan Island Shipyard does not have a separate asbestos trust fund. But many shipbuilding companies leased sections of Swan Island over the years. It’s possible a certain company you worked for may have a Swan Island jobsite listed. It’s important to speak with a mesothelioma lawyer who knows which trust funds may apply to your case.
An attorney may also be able to find asbestos trusts for the asbestos companies that supplied materials to the Swan Island Shipyard. These lawyers can also file the claim against the trusts on your behalf.
Asbestos Trust Funds and Eligible Years of Employment
The following companies supplied asbestos-containing products to the Swan Island Shipyard. Individuals who worked at Swan Island Shipyard and later developed mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease may be eligible to file claims with these trusts.
| Asbestos Company Name | Eligibility Start Date | Eligibility End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Babcock & Wilcox | 12/31/1982 | |
| Combustion Engineering | 1/1/1900 | 12/31/1982 |
| North American Refractories | 1/1/1968 | 3/31/1976 |
| Owens-Corning | 1/1/1953 | 12/31/1982 |
