Tongue Point Naval Shipyard

The United States Navy established the Tongue Point Naval Shipyard in Astoria Oregon in 1921. Over the next few years it would change and expand often to accommodate new goals.

When it was first built, the Astoria yard was intended for use as a base by destroyer ships and submarines. The Oregon location was ideal with its easy access to the Pacific Ocean. It wasn't long before the location was modified to also accept seaplanes, and as the facility grew, so did the need for more workers.

In 1946 several lengthy piers were built to expand the shipyard and allow more ships to dock, which brought even more people to the site. Another major change occurred in the 1960's, when it became a training center for the maritime industry, and people came from all over to learn the intricacies of seamanship. The training center did not last long, and the Astoria location underwent another change. The Labor Department of the United States worked with the Inland Boatman's Union to maintain a fleet at the shipyard that was made up of training vessels and other small to mid sized ships.

One thing that everyone who spent time at the Tongue Point Naval Shipyard had in common was that they spent time around a highly toxic substance without ever even being aware of it. The substance in question was a mineral called asbestos that was found in the insulation materials and various other goods throughout the facility. Asbestos was once one of the most common resources used to make products in the United States, but all that changed when it was found to be toxic. People who spent time in close proximity to these tainted items would breathe in tiny amounts of asbestos dust which would then become trapped in their respiratory systems. Since the dust does not ever leave the human body, it sits there and promotes the decay of healthy tissue over the years. Over time, the asbestos can produce intense amounts of lung scarring and can bring on various health issues.

Mesothelioma is a common result of asbestos exposure, and the more time someone spends around the mineral the more likely they are to develop this and other cancerous diseases. Researches who were studying the affects of asbestos discovered it had toxic properties, and by the late 1970s usage of the mineral was strictly regulated. Unfortunately the workers who helped run shipyards like the one in Astoria may all have been subjected to enough of the hazardous material to have their health put in serious peril.

Last modified: December 09 2009.