Evidence
8 evidence entries recorded; each entry has a stable permalink (#ev-1 … #ev-8).
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[1]Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Naval History Division), 'USS Allagash (AO-97)' entry - HyperWar/ibiblio transcription mirror (NHHC canonical URL returned 404 on 2026-09-24) [nhhc_danfs]
- Locator
- DANFS AO-97 entry, full text; spec block renders type as 'TE-S2-A1' (transcription artifact - MARAD record confirms T3-S2-A1)
- Finding type
- vessel_history
- Finding
- USS Allagash (AO-97), Cimarron-class fleet oiler (MC type T3-S2-A1, MC hull 2559): laid down 1944-10-26 at Sparrows Point, MD, by Bethlehem Steel Co. under Maritime Commission contract; launched 1945-04-14 (sponsor Mrs. Reuben D. Vining); acquired by Navy on loan-charter and commissioned 1945-08-21, LCDR Howard C. Plummer USNR. Shakedown Chesapeake Bay with Norfolk Navy Yard availability 1945-09-04/15; Gulf Coast-West Indies fuel runs; Naval Transportation Service 1946; Bahrain round trips 1947-48; Sixth Fleet Mediterranean deployments from 1948; NATO Operation Mainbrace 1952; Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for Cuban quarantine support Nov-Dec 1962; South Atlantic cruise (Port Elizabeth, Rio de Janeiro) 1966; regular overhaul at Boston 1966-11-17 to 1967-04-30; final Med deployment Jan-Jul 1969. In commission in reserve Boston 1970-09-02; decommissioned 1970-12-21; MARAD custody James River 1971-11-13; stricken 1973-06-01; sold to Union Minerals & Alloys Corp. for scrapping 1976-03-22. Specs per DANFS: 25,400 t (lim.), 553 ft, 75 ft beam, 18.3 kt (trial), complement 304, 1x5in + 4x3in armament.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- supporting
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-24
- Study period
- 1944-1976
- Population
- Crew (complement 304); shipyard trades at Norfolk Navy Yard availability (1945) and Boston overhaul (1966-67, facility unspecified)
- Limitations
- Establishes identity, construction, service history, and disposal dates. DANFS contains no asbestos or insulation-material statement; supports no asbestos claim. The Nov 1966-Apr 1967 'regular overhaul at Boston' does not name the facility (Boston Naval Shipyard vs. private yard unverified).
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-allagash-ao97-01
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[2]U.S. Maritime Administration, ShipHistory database - ALLAGASH (AO-97), Ship History Detail 157, incl. digitized status card image 157_297AF.jpg [marad_nrc]
- Locator
- Detail 157 milestones + status card image (https://vesselhistory.marad.dot.gov/cards/157_297AF.jpg) - card fields read directly
- Finding type
- vessel_history
- Finding
- MARAD ShipHistory record and digitized reserve-fleet status card (Form MA-383) for ALLAGASH (AO-97): type T3-S2-A1; builder 'Bethlehem/Sparrows Point'; built 1945; category Tanker/Military Aux.; 'Turbine Drive, 13,500 SHP'; LOA 553 ft, breadth 75 ft; light load 7,470 t, full load 25,450 t; fleet James River; entered 11-13-71; withdrawn 3-22-76; reason 'Sold for Nontransportation use under PD-X-1004, 3-16-76 to Union Minerals & Alloys Corp. for $386,131.00.' ShipHistory milestones: entry/acquisition 11/13/1971; disposition and withdrawal 3/22/1976 ('CUST 1971 NDRF 1971'); fate 'Sold -NTU'.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- supporting
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-24
- Study period
- 1945-1976
- Population
- NDRF custody period only (1971-76) - no crew exposure content
- Limitations
- Authoritative for type, builder, dimensions, 13,500 shp plant (resolving the 30,400 hp Wikipedia infobox conflict), NDRF custody window, and sale terms. Card records no asbestos, abatement, or material-condition statement. NavSource's 'delivered to Hugo Neu Corp., Newark NJ' scrapping detail is not visible on the card and remains secondary.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-allagash-ao97-02
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[3]Stevens v. Foster Wheeler, LLC, No. 1:14-cv-00157 (D.R.I.), ECF No. 273 (Memorandum and Order, Mar. 16, 2017) - CourtListener/RECAP docket 5192814 [court_record]
- Locator
- RECAP PDF gov.uscourts.rid.36823.273.0.pdf read in full (8 pp.); R&R at ECF 267 (recap PDF available, not separately read); docket /docket/5192814/
- Finding type
- litigation_documented
- Finding
- Stevens v. Air & Liquid Systems Corp. et al. (docketed 'Stevens v. Foster Wheeler, LLC'), No. 1:14-cv-00157-S-LDA (D.R.I.): Memorandum and Order of March 16, 2017 (Smith, C.J.) ACCEPTED Magistrate Judge Lincoln D. Almond's Report and Recommendation (ECF 267) and DENIED Foster Wheeler's motion for summary judgment (ECF 251). The order found triable issues defeating the 'bare metal' defense (exception where defendant's product necessarily contained and required replacement asbestos components), the 'sophisticated user' defense (genuine dispute as to what the Navy knew and whether Foster Wheeler warned it), the Boyle government-contractor defense (genuine issues on all three elements), and the maritime loss-of-consortium bar. Plaintiff's punitive-damages claim was abandoned before the ruling. Case: removed asbestos personal-injury action filed 2014-04-02; docket terminated 2018-04-04 (terminating disposition not retrieved).
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- supporting
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-24
- Study period
- service 1951-1952; litigation 2014-2018
- Population
- James Stevens, boiler technician, USS Allagash 1951-07-07 to 1952-10-11 (as recited); estate plaintiff Suzann Stevens
- Limitations
- Summary-judgment-stage record, classified below trial finding: the order recites plaintiff's facts (uncontested by defendant for purposes of the motion) and holds only that genuine disputes preclude judgment - it is NOT an adjudicated finding that exposure occurred or caused disease. Post-2017 disposition (docket terminated 2018-04-04, likely settlement or dismissal) not retrieved. Order is not in CL's opinion corpus; reached via RECAP docket.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-allagash-ao97-03
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[4]Stevens v. Foster Wheeler, LLC, No. 1:14-cv-00157 (D.R.I.), ECF No. 273 at 2-3 (Background section) [court_record]
- Locator
- M&O pp. 2-3; footnote 1 notes defendant did not contest the statement of facts; NavSource spec block via Wayback capture 2024-12-10
- Finding type
- litigation_product_id
- Finding
- Product identification, ship-specific: the same order recites (from plaintiff's Statement of Additional Undisputed Facts, uncontested by Foster Wheeler under D.R.I. LR Cv 56(a)(5)) that 'the boilers on the Allagash were manufactured by Defendant Foster Wheeler,' that 'during construction of those boilers, Foster Wheeler used asbestos containing materials and also provided additional asbestos-containing materials to be used in the boilers,' and that Stevens 'came in contact with Foster Wheeler's boilers and was exposed to asbestos.' Independent corroboration of the boiler manufacturer: NavSource class specification lists 'four Foster and Wheeler K-type boilers' for this hull.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- supporting
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-24
- Study period
- 1944-45 construction; alleged exposure 1951-52
- Population
- Boiler technicians / engine-room crew aboard USS Allagash, 1945-1970 (context of the litigation claim)
- Limitations
- Facts recited for the summary-judgment record and uncontested by defendant for motion purposes - a litigation-context product identification, stronger than a pleading allegation but short of an adjudicated/trial finding. Identifies asbestos in boiler construction/replacement materials only; does not itemize quantity, other shipboard applications, present condition, or any other claimant's exposure.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-allagash-ao97-04
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[5]Mattison v. Alfa Laval, Inc. et al., C.C.P. Philadelphia County No. 003607 (verdict Apr. 2009) - reported via plaintiffs' counsel case summary (waterskraus.com) and 'Top Verdicts' listing (Legal Intelligencer-derived PDF); court record itself not retrieved [court_record]
- Locator
- waterskraus.com case page and top-verdicts PDF (leads only); CourtListener opinion corpus has no Mattison v. Alfa Laval opinion (searched 2026-09-24)
- Finding type
- litigation_documented
- Finding
- Mattison v. Alfa Laval, Inc. et al., Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas, Cause No. 003607: reported verdict April 2009 (Phase I jury verdict April 8, 2009 - $4.0M, finding asbestos exposure caused plaintiff's malignant pleural mesothelioma; Phase II bench trial April 17, 2009 - John Crane Inc., the last of eight original defendants, found liable and apportioned 12.5%). Per counsel's published summary, plaintiff Robert Mattison was a Navy veteran (1950-1954) who served as a machinist's mate aboard USS Salamonie and USS Allagash, and the case concerned asbestos-containing pumps, valves, gaskets, packing, and insulation aboard the vessels; the consolidated proceeding (Hirschberg/Mattison/Sorey) involved Philadelphia Naval Shipyard-connected Navy exposures; Judge Victor J. DiNubile Jr. presiding.
- Verification
- partial
- Role
- supporting
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-24
- Study period
- service 1950-1954; verdict 2009
- Population
- Robert Mattison, machinist's mate, USS Allagash and USS Salamonie, 1950-1954 (as reported)
- Limitations
- Trial-level verdict reported only through plaintiff-counsel publications - no court record, jury sheet, or appellate disposition retrieved; Philadelphia CCP docket No. 003607 unverified in this pass. Exposure was multi-site (Allagash + Salamonie + Army Corps dredge service + shipyard boiler work), so the verdict documents no Allagash-specific apportionment or product identification. Post-trial motions/appeal outcome unknown. Names the hull among exposure venues - carried as a reported ship-specific litigation event, verification partial.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-allagash-ao97-05
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[6]Corn, Jacqueline Karnell, and Jennifer Starr, 'Historical perspective on asbestos: Policies and protective measures in World War II shipbuilding,' American Journal of Industrial Medicine 11(3):359-373 (1987) [other_primary]
- Locator
- Abstract and article, AJIM 11(3):359-373
- Finding type
- asbestos_application
- Finding
- Peer-reviewed historical study documents that asbestos was used extensively as a fireproofing and insulating material in U.S. shipbuilding during WWII - the era and program under which this Maritime Commission T3-S2-A1 hull was built (1944-45) - and that wartime demand drove unprecedented asbestos utilization aboard naval and merchant-type hulls.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- context
- Documentation level
- class_or_era
- Accessed
- 2026-09-24
- Study period
- 1940s era documented; article 1987
- Population
- WWII shipyard workers and ship crews (era context); Bethlehem Sparrows Point workforce 1944-45
- Limitations
- Program/era-level scholarship; does not name this vessel or class. Contextualizes the era of construction only - it does not establish asbestos aboard this hull beyond what the ship-specific litigation records document, nor quantity, location, condition, exposure, or causation.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-allagash-ao97-06
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[7]Batch-1945 search ledger (this record): CourtListener opinion/docket searches sl-05 through sl-09; MARAD detail 157 + status card; DANFS text; secondary-site sweeps [other_primary]
- Locator
- search_ledger rows sl-uss-allagash-ao97-01 through sl-uss-allagash-ao97-11
- Finding type
- historical_record
- Finding
- Negative findings from this batch's search: (a) no hull asbestos survey, abatement contract, hazmat disclosure, NDRF disposal-condition report, or environmental record naming AO-97 located in public sources searched; (b) CourtListener opinion corpus contains no opinion naming the hull - 'Allagash' opinion search returned 25 results, all name collisions (Maine municipal/river/company cases); '"AO-97"' returned 4 results, all unrelated docket-number collisions; (c) the ship-specific litigation records located (Stevens, D.R.I.; Mattison, Philadelphia CCP) exist in RECAP docket and counsel-reported form, not the published-opinion corpus; (d) MARAD record and status card contain no asbestos or material-condition statement.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- negative_finding
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-24
- Study period
- 2026-09-24
- Limitations
- Absence of a located survey/abatement record does not prove absence of asbestos aboard - a 1945 steam oiler is era-consistent with installed asbestos-containing materials, and the litigation record independently indicates ACM in the boilers. The vessel was scrapped in 1976, before modern hazmat-disclosure practice; no such record is expected to exist publicly. Does not establish or defeat any exposure claim or legal eligibility.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-allagash-ao97-07
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[8]NARA Guide to Federal Records: RG 24 (Bureau of Naval Personnel, deck logs), RG 19 (Bureau of Ships), RG 181 (Naval Districts and Shore Establishments - Boston and Norfolk Navy Yards), RG 178 (US Maritime Commission) [other_primary]
- Locator
- https://www.archives.gov/research/guide-fed-records/groups/181.html (181.3.1 Boston Navy Yard; 181.3.6 Norfolk Navy Yard); parallel guides for RG 19, 24, 178
- Finding type
- historical_record
- Finding
- Archival leads (not retrieved - require research-room or reproduction order; no spend authorized): NARA RG 24 (Bureau of Naval Personnel) - deck logs for USS Allagash 1945-1970 (WWII-era logs digitized; postwar logs at NARA College Park); RG 19 (Bureau of Ships) - construction/plan records for MC hull 2559 and T3-S2-A1 design files incl. insulation specifications; RG 181 (Naval Districts and Shore Establishments) - Boston Navy Yard records (181.3.1) may hold the Nov 1966-Apr 1967 overhaul work packages (DANFS records the overhaul 'at Boston' without naming the facility) and Norfolk Navy Yard records (181.3.6) the Sept 1945 availability; RG 178 (U.S. Maritime Commission) - contract/construction records for MC hull 2559 at Bethlehem Sparrows Point.
- Verification
- unverified
- Role
- archival_lead
- Documentation level
- context_only
- Accessed
- 2026-09-24
- Study period
- 1944-1976 records
- Limitations
- Record-group mapping only - no box-level retrieval performed; existence of asbestos-specific documents for this hull is unknown until surveyed. Nothing in this row is an asbestos finding.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-allagash-ao97-08