Portsmouth Naval Shipyard

Mention submarines and thoughts of Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNS) quickly come to mind. Located in southern Maine, this shipyard is well known for the work it has done building, refitting, upgrading and repairing thousands of Navy ships and submarines. This yard was established in 1800 and is the oldest operating shipyard in the United States. Although the shipyard bears the name of the town of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, it is actually situated on Seavey Island on the Maine side of the Piscataqua River and connected to Kittery, Maine by two bridges.

Portsmouth Naval Shipyard played a pivotal role in both World Wars. During the 'Great War', the shipyard had the unique distinction of constructing the first ever submarine built in a U.S. Navy yard. At the time the yard was constructing this first submarine, the L-8, its work force reached 5,000. The L-8 never saw battle in World War I since the war ended while the boat was en route to the Azores. The L-8 was placed out of commission in 1926 and then used for target practice for the testing of a new type of torpedo.

During World War II, the workforce at PNS grew to 25,000. The shipyard gained another unique distinction. It set a record by launching four submarines on the same day, as it worked toward building 70 submarines for the overall war effort. Portsmouth Naval Shipyard achievements did not stop there. It continued to overhaul and repair surface vessels during this time.

Having distinguished itself in both wars, PNS was rewarded by being named the center for the Navy's submarine design and development. One of the shipyard's most interesting projects was the research submarine, the USS Albacore (SSAG-569). This submarine set the standard for hull designs with its revolutionary "tear drop" shaped hull and round cross section.

The yard continued to be highly regarded by the Navy as it continued to pioneer the latest submarine technology. PNS successfully built submarines for the U.S. Navy until 1969. In that year, the last nuclear-powered submarine delivered by the Portsmouth Yard was launched.

Today PNS is fully operational and is a leading submarine yard for the U.S. Navy. It is recognized as a premier repair and modernization yard and is one of the most experienced shipyards in terms of submarine design, construction, modernization and maintenance. This shipyard serves the Submarine Fleet with high quality overhaul and modernization.

Asbestos Exposure at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard

As a result of the work that was done at PNS during both wars and up until the mid 1970s, the shipyard workers at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard were exposed to tremendous amounts of asbestos-containing insulating materials that were used extensively in the construction and repair of these vessels. Shipyard workers were exposed to asbestos fibers that became lodged in their lungs. Inhalation of asbestos fibers can later develop into asbestosis or mesothelioma. Hundreds of former Portsmouth Naval Shipyard workers who have developed asbestos-related diseases have brought claims against the manufacturers of the asbestos products who failed to warn of the hazards of breathing asbestos dust.