Houston Shipyards
World War I was largely responsible for the founding of a ship repair and building facility in Houston, Texas. As the war raged on, the United States Naval Fleet required new ships constantly, and needed repairs for existing vessels that had been damaged. The Houston Shipyards were built to help respond to this need and keep the American Fleet sailing proudly.
Five different facilities made up the site that was referred to as the Houston Shipyards. They included the Bloodworth Bond, Platzer Boat Works, Brown Shipbuilding, Schmidt Barge Yard and Todd Houston Shipbuilding. These individual sites worked together as one comprehensive unit all throughout the war, and thousands of people were employed there over the years.
The workers who kept the Houston Shipyards running constantly were proud of the job they did, and willingly returned each day despite the dangers they faced in a hazardous work environment. Tragically, they were also burdened with a danger that they were completely unaware of. Each day they spent at the shipyard, they were exposed to asbestos, a mineral that is poisonous.
Most people were not aware that asbestos is toxic until the later 1970's. When it was originally discovered in America during the 1800's, it was seen as such an advantageous resource that mining companies snagged it by the ton and had no end of willing buyers. Manufacturers all over the country used the strong, fire resistant mineral to produce a vast array of products. One of the earliest and most common uses for asbestos was as a solid base for insulation. It did a remarkable job of controlling temperatures and keeping hot running machinery operating properly. Every shipyard has many pieces of equipment that needs insulation, so asbestos was found at shipyards all across the nation.
While people toiled at the Houston Shipyards and similar facilities, they were often breathing in tiny bits of asbestos dust without even knowing it. Dust particles would then settle in their respiratory systems, where they could prove to be a very destructive force. Lung tissue would become scarred by the invading substance, and that would often lead to far worse conditions such as asbestosis and mesothelioma. Many people fell seriously ill or even perished after spending time around the hazardous material.
After asbestos was finally recognized as a potential killer, government agencies started to strictly regulate its use. Today shipyards no longer have this dangerous material to better protect the health of the people who work there and support the maritime industry.
Last modified: December 28, 2010.
