SS Metapan
Newport News Shipbuilding produced the vessel that would be known as the SS Metapan for the United Fruit Co. (UFC) in May of 1947. This was the second Metapan that was owned by UFC; the original had sunk years earlier when another ship collided into it during a dense fog.
Although the SS Metapan was under the command of a civilian enterprise, it was still a member of the Marine Merchant fleet. That meant it was used for commercial purposes most of the time, but it could be commandeered for transporting troops and military supplies if the United States was at war.
LIke any other cargo ship, the SS Metapan carried a large and varied number of products on board over the years. Some of the goods that were always on board as a permanent part of the ship proved to be among the most hazardous for the crew to deal with. Items such as insulation that helped to control levels of heat all throughout the craft, fireproofing materials and rubber gaskets were made with asbestos, a mineral that is found in large natural deposits throughout the United States. Manufacturers used this material as the backbone for thousands of products because it is strong, able to withstand incredibly high temperatures and surprisingly economical. It is also, however, toxic.
Asbestos can be very harmful to people, and all they have to do is be around it. The mineral is tough, but miniscule particles of the material can easily break off and float in the air, allowing for unsuspecting victims to breathe it in. Anyone who does may be in for a world of trouble. Even the smallest bit of asbestos will stick to the interior of a human respiratory system and progressively cause damage until the victim is suffering from tissue scarring and breathing disorders. People who breathe in large amounts of the toxin often end up with Asbestosis or even the feared cancerous disease Mesothelioma, for which there is no cure.
Americans did not realize the hazards of asbestos for decades, so it was commonly used all over the country and inflicted millions of people. In the 1970's public awareness about this dangerous substance began to grow, and strict government regulations were put in place to protect people. The SS Metapan sailed until 1977, so anyone who spent time on board may have been subjected to being exposed to asbestos.
Last modified: December 28, 2010.
