Alabama Drydock & Shipbuilding Company
This shipyard, located in Mobile, Alabama, began constructing Liberty Ships during one of the so-called "Waves of Expansion" spurred by military and shipping needs. At the time, the shipyard was involved in new tanker construction and repair work. This yard contributed 20 Liberty Ships to the war effort.
Liberty Ships were powered by steam reciprocating engines and auxiliary machinery that all used asbestos insulation. There were thousands of pounds of asbestos insulating products used on each ship. The workers at Alabama Drydock & Shipbuilding were exposed to these asbestos products on a regular basis as they worked three shifts each day to build the vessels. Seamen who later sailed on the ships were exposed to the asbestos dust generated through the routine operation and maintenance of the asbestos laden equipment, piping, and machinery. These seaman and shipyards workers are at risk of contracting mesothelioma because of their asbestos exposure.
There were the 20 Liberty ships constructed at this yard including:
- J. L. M. Curry
- John Marshall
- Henry Clay
- Arthur Middleton
- Alexander H. Stephens
- Thomas Heyward
- Judah Benjamin
- Jefferson Davis
- Thomas Lynch
- Joel Chandler Harris
- Nathaniel Bacon
- Israel Putnam
- Joseph Wheeler
- James Hoban
- Clark Mills
- Benjamin H. Latrobe
- Simon Willard
- Colin P. Kelly, Jr.
- William C. Gorgas
- Lawton Evans
|