SS Del Mar

The SS Del Mar was constructed at the Ingalls Shipyard in Mississippi. It was launched in December of 1947 and became a member of the Merchant Marine fleet for the United States Navy.

Throughout all of World War II, Ingalls Shipyard thrived as a builder of ocean going vessels that would support the war effort by supplying troops and military supplies to locations where they were needed the most. Hundreds of ships such as the SS Del Mar were created to ensure that these essential items could be transported without fail. One of the primary reasons so many vessels had to be built was they were constantly under attack by enemy submarines. During the war a multitude of ships were destroyed and sunk by torpedos, and Americans had to work diligently to keep the fleet fully stocked and operational.

Crew members on board the SS Del Mar and other vessels faced a variety of dangers including attack, trouble at sea and asbestos. The threat from asbestos was not realized at the time, but it did harm thousands of people over the years. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was used to make insulation, gaskets and other products that are found on every ship. It was thought to be a highly valuable resource because it was strong, long lasting, resistant to fire and inexpensive to mine. Years later, however, researchers discovered that the material also contained a nasty little secret: it is poisonous.

People who spend time working with or around goods that contain asbestos become very likely to inadvertently inhale microscopic dust particles from the mineral. This dust finds a new home within the host's respiratory system, where it can wreak havoc internally. Those who ingest large amounts of the toxin often suffer from scarred lung tissue, respiratory disorders and even cancer. One of the most well known and feared types of cancer, Mesothelioma, is almost always a direct result of exposure to asbestos.

Over the years the SS Del Mar served its country well. Unfortunately one grim aspect of that service can not be overlooked - the men and women who sailed on board were all put at risk for being exposed to a substance that could make them very ill or even take their lives.

Last modified: December 09 2009.