SS Santa Paula/SS Santa Rosa

The W. R. Grace & Co. was established in Peru during the mid-1800's, but by 1865 it had moved to New York. One of the many commodities produced by the company was large cargo ships that transported products to locations all over the world.

In 1921 the SS Santa Paula and SS Santa Rosa were built by W. R. Grace & Co., and both became members of the US Merchant Marine fleet during the 1930's. This meant that they not only served the purpose of transporting goods during times of peace, but that they would be commandeered to transport military troops and supplies in the instance of a war. These two ships were in use for many years, but were eventually replaced by two new ships which bore the very same names.

A company called Gibbs & Cox designed the second versions of the SS Santa Paula and SS Santa Rosa, and both were ready for use in August of 1958. The new ships immediately became an important part of the US Naval fleet and were kept in regular operation until the early 1970's. Like their predecessors, the vessels became flagships for the fleet and sailed proudly for more than a decade.

Many people sailed on board the two sister ships during their time of active duty. Every sailor faces a variety of hazards during each journey, but the people who spent time within these vessels had to deal with an additional threat that they were not even aware of. This came in the form of a hazardous material called asbestos that was found in many areas of the ship. It was primarily used within insulation, but asbestos was also utilized to create a variety of other products that were prominently found on large ships.

Use of asbestos in the United States dates back to the time of the Industrial Revolution. The mineral was discovered in large natural deposits, and manufacturers soon realized it was strong, durable and inexpensive. It quickly became the primary ingredient for hundreds of products, and was especially prevalent in the construction and maritime industries. More and more products were created with the material until eventually people began to realize that it is poisonous.

People who spend time around any item that was made with asbestos are likely to inhale small dust particles of the mineral, which will lodge in their respiratory system. The particles can do intense amounts of harm and are often responsible for tissue scarring, respiratory disorders and even cancer. Exposure to asbestos is also now well known to cause Mesothelioma, an incurable disease that has claimed the lives of thousands of people throughout the years.

Although both the SS Santa Paula and SS Santa Rosa were eventually removed from active duty, anyone who sailed on board them may have been exposed to this hazardous material. The health hazards it can bring on often take multiple years to develop, so some of the later crew members of these vessels may be suffering from the effects of inhaling asbestos particles and not even be aware of it yet.

Last modified: December 09 2009.