USS Champlin DD-601
The USS Champlin was a destroyer vessel built and used during World War II. The vessel was constructed at the Bethlehem Steel Company’s Fore River Shipyard in Quincy, Massachusetts. Champlin was sponsored by Mrs. A. C. Brendel and was commissioned for service in the United States Navy in September of 1942. Her first in command was Lt. Commander C.L. Melson.
Champlin was predominantly utilized in the Atlantic theater, making frequent convoy missions to and from Casablanca in North Africa, as well as into and around the Azores. During much of her convoy duty, she was closely followed by German submarines which patrolled those waters. In March, she actually joined a submarine hunting squad. Champlin was ordered to set depth charges in order to bring the German submarine’s to the Atlantic surface. When U-856 finally surfaced, Champlin immediately opened fire with its many guns, scoring several impressive hits. Once landing a critical blow to the conning tower, Champlin began ramming the stern on the submarine until it sank, though Commander John Shaffer III would be killed in the battle.
After repairs for damages sustained during the submarine hunt, Champlin left New York in April of 1944 and sailed for Oran. She would continue in Atlantic convoy duties throughout the remainder of the war. In January of 1945, she was among the convoy that transported President Franklin D. Roosevelt to the Yalta conference in Malta. Champlin did make one foray into the Pacific theatre in 1945, where she participated in the battle of Okinawa.
Those who served aboard the Champlin served their country with honor. Unfortunately, many were exposed to asbestos aboard naval vessels and within naval shipyards, where the toxic material was used extensively. Asbestos was used freely and many today have been diagnosed with the rare cancer mesothelioma, which is known only to be caused by asbestos exposure. Those who believe they may have been exposed should fill out the brief form on this page to received a complimentary asbestos and mesothelioma information packet and learn about new treatments for mesothelioma, possible exposure points, and legal options for those injured as a result of asbestos exposure.
Last modified: December 28, 2010.
