USS Beale
The USS Beale was a naval Fletcher class destroyer built in 1942 by the Bethlehem Steel Shipbuilding in Staten Island, NY.(Now known as the Brooklyn Navy Yard) The Beale was launched into the open seas in August of 1942 and was commissioned by the United States Navy on the 23rd of December that year. Her first commander was Commander J. B. Cockran. After training exercises in Virginia and elsewhere along the Atlantic seaboard, the Beale conducted its final shakedown and joined the Pacific fleet early in 1943.
he Beale landed at Pearl Harbor later in 1943 and did not commence battle operations until December of 1943, when she participated in the bombardment of New Britain and in early 1944, the Admiralty Islands. During 1944 and 1945, the Beale was perhaps one of the most battle active ships in the Pacific fleet participating in bombardments of New Guinea, Hollandia, Wakde Tome, Biak, and the invasion of Okinawa. She provided persistent attack support to air blitz conducted on these islands, and would become one of the more celebrated ships of the Second World War. As a lasting tribute to her remarkable career, she was invited to participate in the final battle of the war; the bombing of the Japanese home islands. She was active from the moment of her launch to the capitulation of the Japanese, suffering few casualties or damage to her hull.
Surely, the Beale is one of the more remarkable vessels of twentieth century naval combat. She participated in almost unparalleled fashion to the war efforts of the Pacific. However, perhaps it is important to remember the brave men who served aboard the Beale, for they were the true backbone of this remarkable ship.
While the men who served onboard the Beale were confident in their ship and feared little when facing the enemy, they may have been endangered by a hazard onboard their own vessel that few could recognize at the time. Asbestos was used in nearly all facets of ship making. The Fletcher class destroyer was no exception to this; likewise the Beale was no exception. Particularly in insulation components or pipe/electrical fixture coverings, asbestos was wonder material in shipbuilding prior to the late 1970. Those who worked in or around these areas, either in a ship crew or ship repair capacity, should be mindful of a possible exposure to asbestos material, which has been linked to cancer and a myriad of other respiratory complications.
