Marinship Corp.
The onset World War II was responsible for the creation of many shipbuilding facilities in the United States. They were produced as quickly as possible in oder to create new cargo ships that would be used to replace the vessels that had been damaged or demolished by German submarines during the war. Sausolito, California became the home of one such facility that was operated by the Bechtel Corporation.
Sausalito's shipyard began production immediately after it opened, and within three months workers had laid their first keel for a new ship. The facility was responsible for producing T-2 tankers, and was one of only four locations that created this type of craft. When the yard was fully established and operating at peak capacity, more than 20,000 people worked there with the goal of providing new vessels for the Merchant Marine fleet.
The yard employees worked diligently to help the war efforts, and made many sacrifices to ensure the fast production of new ships. One sacrifice was not made willingly, however. Workers were unknowingly subjected to a material that was toxic and became responsible for thousands of people becoming seriously ill and an untold number of deaths. The material in question was asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral that was used to create insulation and other products for many years before it was found to be poisonous.
Asbestos exposure leads to some very serious and potentially deadly results. The mineral is made up of tiny fibers that can easily break apart and become airborne, allowing for anyone around to inhale them without even knowing it. People who ingest the hazardous substance often experience massive tissue scarring which reduces the flow of oxygen in the blood and leads to difficulty with breathing, chest pains and other maladies. Many asbestos victims suffered from respiratory disorders and asbestosis, and others were unfortunate enough to develop lung cancer or Mesothelioma. These diseases are incurable, difficult to treat and often deadly. They generally take many years to fully develop, and by the time they are noticeable there is very little that can be done for the victims.
People who were employed by Marinship Corporation were very likely to develop serious health conditions owing to prolonged exposure to asbestos. The facility was shut down after the war, and eventually the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers took over the site and converted it for their own purposes.
Last modified: December 09, 2009.
