SS Sheldon Clark

The SS Sheldon Clark was a large ship that was built in 1947. She served time as a member of the Marine Merchant fleet which helped to improve the commerce of the United States and serve the country during difficult times. Ships that were part of this elite group sailed all over the world regularly to transport products to and from America, but if a war were to be declared or a national crisis necessitated it, the ship would be used to carry military personnel and supplies at the request of the US Maritime Commission.

Crew members who worked on these ships were well trained to deal with almost any eventuality. One thing they were never prepared for was a dangerous condition on board that affected every one of them. The vessels that were built prior to the 1970's contained products that were made out of asbestos, and just being exposed to that mineral can be hazardous to your health ... or even deadly.

By the mid 70's most people understood that asbestos is toxic, but before then many thought of the mineral as being one of the most advantageous resources ever discovered on American soil. It was found in large deposits that were easy and inexpensive to mine, and since the material was solid, durable and resistant to the highest temperatures, it was soon being used to create a wide variety of products. One of the items it was commonly used in was insulation, which is needed all throughout every large ship.

When products that are made from asbestos are used in close proximity to people, they present a great risk. Despite its strength, small bits of the mineral can crumble or break apart, and when they do the particles become airborne. This forces people to breathe the toxic substance in, where they will permanently attach to the lining of the respiratory system. Once inside, the material will encourage the decay of healthy tissue, make normal breathing extremely difficult and even promote various diseases such as Mesothelioma, a cancer that has taken many lives over the years.

While the SS Sheldon Clark was in active duty it posed an unrecognized threat to everyone who joined her crew. The sailors who spent time on this ship may not have known that they were harmed for many years, because the conditions that are caused by asbestos exposure usually take many years or even decades to become noticeable.

Last modified: December 09 2009.