National Shipyards
The United States Navy owns and operates four National Shipyards, and one of them is known as the Norfolk Naval Shipyard. Despite having Norfolk in the name, this site is actually located in Portsmouth, Virginia.
Not only is the Norfolk National Shipyard one of the largest ship building and repair facilities in America, it is also among the oldest. It was established in 1767 as the Gosport Shipyard, and was originally owned by the British. Following the American Revolution, the British set fire to the yard, but much of it was salvaged and turned into a base under the ownership of the United States. All of this occurred more than 30 years before the new country had even established its own naval force.
It wasn't until 1862 that the Portsmouth site had an official name change and became known as the Norfolk Shipyard. Over the years many famous vessels were constructed by the large crew that manned the facility, and it continued to produce ships to keep the US fleet well stocked in times of peace and war. During World War II the number of workers swelled to more than 40,000 as the need for new vessels and large repairs on existing craft increased due to frequent attacks from enemy submarines known as German U-Boats. Other wars called for additional workers to be hired at the facility, making for an ever growing tally of people who spent time at this site.
Tragically, thousands of the men and women who labored at the Virginia based shipyard were exposed to a highly toxic material that made many of them very ill and and resulted in the death of an untold number of individuals. The poisonous substance in question was asbestos, a mineral that was used to create various products which were found all over the facility, and most commonly within the insulating materials that were used to keep the plant's equipment running at a steady temperature. Asbestos made a great insulation because it is strong and can hold up under the most intense heat, and it wasn't until the late 1970's that most people began to realize the danger it held.
Thousands of people who worked at the Norfolk National Shipyard breathed in tiny asbestos fibers without even realizing it. The fibers were invisible to the naked eye, but once they were taken internally they could scar lung tissue, have a negative effect on the entire respiratory system and lead to the development of cancerous diseases such as mesothelioma. It is impossible to know how many people may have been afflicted over the years after spending time at this site, but with the large number of individuals who were employed while this hazardous mineral was in use, chances are that thousands of people were made seriously ill simply by going to work at the Portsmouth based Naval facility.
Last modified: December 28, 2010.
