Evidence
13 evidence entries recorded; each entry has a stable permalink (#ev-1 … #ev-13).
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[1]CourtListener opinion search: 'USS Alstede' [court_record]
- Finding type
- litigation_documented
- Finding
- CourtListener opinion search 'USS Alstede' returned 0 results (2026-10-07)
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- negative_finding
- Documentation level
- context_only
- Limitations
- zero-hit search; absence of hits is not proof of no litigation
- Evidence ID
- uss-alstede-af48-cl-name-opinion
-
[2]CourtListener docket search: 'USS Alstede' [court_record]
- Finding type
- litigation_documented
- Finding
- CourtListener docket search 'USS Alstede' returned 2 result(s) (2026-10-07); individual records not reviewed
- Verification
- unverified
- Role
- archival_lead
- Documentation level
- context_only
- Limitations
- hit count only — underlying dockets/opinions not individually reviewed; name query may match same-named vessels
- Evidence ID
- uss-alstede-af48-cl-name-docket
-
[3]CourtListener opinion search: 'AF-48' [court_record]
- Finding type
- litigation_documented
- Finding
- CourtListener opinion search 'AF-48' returned 5043 result(s) (2026-10-07); individual records not reviewed
- Verification
- unverified
- Role
- archival_lead
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Limitations
- hit count only — underlying dockets/opinions not individually reviewed
- Evidence ID
- uss-alstede-af48-cl-hull-opinion
-
[4]CourtListener docket search: 'AF-48' [court_record]
- Finding type
- litigation_documented
- Finding
- CourtListener docket search 'AF-48' returned 80817 result(s) (2026-10-07); individual records not reviewed
- Verification
- unverified
- Role
- archival_lead
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Limitations
- hit count only — underlying dockets/opinions not individually reviewed
- Evidence ID
- uss-alstede-af48-cl-hull-docket
-
[5]DANFS, Alstede (AF-48) - verbatim transcription via Wikipedia (article incorporates DANFS text); the NHHC DANFS URL cited by the article (history.navy.mil/.../danfs/a/alstede.html) returned 404 on 2026-09-20, consistent with documented NHHC link rot [nhhc_danfs]
- Locator
- DANFS entry 'Alstede' (full entry); Wikipedia article text
- Finding type
- vessel_history
- Finding
- Official ship history: laid down as Ocean Chief 1944-09-30 at Moore Dry Dock, Oakland (MC hull 1206); launched 1944-11-28, sponsor Mrs. Anton Wille; delivered to WSA 1945-05-04; operated by United Fruit Co. under WSA contract for one year; acquired by the Navy 1946-05-10, renamed Alstede, designated AF-48, commissioned at Mare Island NSY 1946-05-17 (CDR Alexander Kusebach, USNR). 1946-50: Central Pacific supply circuit (Kwajalein, Eniwetok, Guam, Saipan; Pearl Harbor, Wake Island) from West Coast ports. Korea: Sasebo run late 1950; Japan round-trips from Feb 1951; Puget Sound NSY overhaul 1951-07-27 to 11-08; Wonsan replenishment rendezvous 1952-02-11; seven months Japan-Korea shuttle with three Pusan entries; returned Oakland 1952-11-21; 1953 deployment incl. Taiwan Strait Patrol 8/3-6 and Koje-do 8/10-15; Mare Island overhaul from 1953-09-11. 1954: Far East tour then Atlantic Fleet reassignment via Panama Canal (transit 7-14), Norfolk homeport 7-19; first 6th Fleet deployment 10-22 to 12-23 (Naples, Salonika, Valencia). 1955: Bethlehem Steel Staten Island overhaul 1-21 to 3-22; Norfolk NSY repairs; UNREP tests off Argentia with Mazama and Haynsworth; second Med cruise 6-17 to 9-10; Block Island Sound ASW exercises; West Indies cruise (San Juan, Guantanamo); Norfolk Shipbuilding & Drydock repairs Dec. 1956: Med tour 3-7 to 5-5; hull damaged in collision while provisioning Croaker at Cannes 3-23; repairs to late Aug. Thereafter 13 years of 6th Fleet Med deployments 2-3x/year plus 2d Fleet exercises and overhauls; Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (1965, Dominican Republic OAS peacekeeping logistics). Decommissioned and struck 1969-10-31; non-industrial stripping at Naval Inactive Ship Facility, Norfolk. Earned four Korean War battle stars (Second Korean Winter; Korean Defense Summer-Fall 1952; Third Korean Winter; Korean Summer-Fall 1953).
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- supporting
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-20
- Study period
- 1944-1970
- Population
- Crew (~264-292 across sources), 1946-1969; shipyard workers at documented overhauls
- Limitations
- Service history only - DANFS contains no asbestos, insulation, or materials content. Accessed via Wikipedia's verbatim DANFS transcription; the live NHHC DANFS URL 404s (2026-09-20). DANFS disposal statement ('sold to N.W. Kennedy, Ltd., of Vancouver, Canada, on 2 June 1970 for scrapping') conflicts with the MARAD custody card (title to MARAD 1970-06-17; sale 1970-07-24; delivery 1970-09-24) - carried in gaps. Battle-star list is DANFS-derived/compiled, not re-verified against an official awards issuance.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-alstede-af48-01
-
[6]U.S. Maritime Administration, ShipHistory database - ALSTEDE (AF-48), Ship History Detail 172, incl. digitized status cards (172_325AF.jpg reserve-fleet particulars card; vessel status card 207018b4-e220-4c8e-a0b6-720219fafbdc.png) [marad_nrc]
- Locator
- ShipHistory Detail 172 milestones; status card images /cards/172_325AF.jpg and /cards/207018b4-e220-4c8e-a0b6-720219fafbdc.png
- Finding type
- historical_record
- Finding
- MARAD custody record: U.S. Official No. 247687; type R2-S-BV1 'Provision Storehouse'; built by Moore DD Co., Oakland, completed 1945-05-04; gross 6,177 / net 3,483 tons; LOA 459'7", beam 63', draft 27'. Basis to WSA 1945-05-04 2:00 PM PWT at Oakland (owned); allocated to United Fruit Co. under general agency agreement same date/time; title to Navy Dept. at Mare Island 1946-05-10 5:00 PM PST, renamed 'ALSTEDE (AF-48)'; permanent title transfer to Maritime Administration at James River 1970-06-17 2:15 PM EDT; sold for scrap under PD-X-876 dated 1970-07-24 to Desguaces Maritimos S.A. c/o Boston Metals for $223,724 (contract MA-6030); physically delivered at James River 1970-09-24 10:35 AM EDT. Card notation: 'Service prior to lay-up: Navy (Portsmouth)'; 'See PD-X-870 for other info.'
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- supporting
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-20
- Study period
- 1945-1970
- Population
- NDRF James River caretakers (1970); Spanish scrapyard workers (Desguaces Maritimos, 1970-71)
- Limitations
- Custody/status record only - contains no asbestos, insulation, or materials data (the reserve-fleet card's condition fields are blank). Handwriting partially legible; transcription best-effort. Establishes custody chain and scrapping events (ship-specific); does not document what materials scrapping crews encountered. Conflicts with DANFS's 'N.W. Kennedy, Ltd., Vancouver, 1970-06-02' disposal statement - see gaps.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-alstede-af48-02
-
[7]ShipScribe 'U.S. Navy Ships' class page, ALSTEDE (AF 48, C2-S-B1(R) and R2-S-BV1) - S. S. Roberts compilation from official records (Auxiliary Vessels Board report No. 105; BuShips/NARA RG 19), compiled 2021-07-22 [other_primary]
- Locator
- Class data block; Construction and Disposition tables; Class Notes; Ship Notes AF 48
- Finding type
- vessel_history
- Finding
- Compiled official-record data: class design MC C2-S-B1(R) and R2-S-BV1; AF-48 displacement 7,300 light / 14,150 full tons; 459' oa x 435' wl x 63' x 27' max nav draft; 16 kts; 6,000 hp geared steam turbines, 2 boilers (465 psi/750 deg F), 1 screw; accommodations 21 officers + 243 enlisted; armament evolved 10-20mm twin (1946) to 4-40mmT+10-20mmT (1952), 4-40mmT (1959), 2-40mmT (1965). Acquisition history: Auxiliary Vessels Board report No. 105 (1946-03-29) recommended Navy title acquisition of OCEAN CHIEF and GOLDEN ROCKET before 1946-06-30 for postwar point-to-point frozen-provision service, charged to wartime Program 45c (FY 1944); ALSTEDE acquired 1946-05-10, commissioned 1946-05-17 (FY 1946 acquisition). Ship note: 'Delivered by MA to Spanish buyer 24 Sep 1970.'
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- supporting
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-20
- Study period
- 1941-1970
- Population
- Crew accommodations 21 officers / 243 enlisted
- Limitations
- Compiled secondary reference drawing on official records (Auxiliary Vessels Board, BuShips, MARAD) - not itself an official publication; treated here as an authoritative compilation, consistent with house practice for transcribed primary material. Contains no asbestos or materials statement. Accommodations figure (264) conflicts with DANFS-derived complement 292 - carried in gaps.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-alstede-af48-03
-
[8]ShipScribe ALSTEDE class notes (compiled from Auxiliary Vessels Board report No. 105 and BuShips/NARA RG 19 records): as-acquired R2-S-BV1 configuration and fleet-issue conversion scope [other_primary]
- Locator
- Class Notes, paragraph on ALSTEDE/ZELIMA fleet-issue conversion
- Finding type
- historical_record
- Finding
- Documented insulation event aboard this hull: the class notes record that as acquired, ALSTEDE and ZELIMA (MC design R2-S-BV1) 'had single-temperature (15 degree F) open hold reefers without insulation between levels of the holds'; that conversion to fleet-issue configuration 'includ[ed] the installation of insulation on transverse watertight bulkheads' plus compressor modifications; that ComServPac recommended the two-phase conversion 1948-05-10; and that 'the conversions had been carried out by mid-1950.'
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- supporting
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-20
- Study period
- 1946-1950
- Population
- Conversion-yard workers (yard unidentified, ca. 1948-1950); ship's force during conversion
- Limitations
- The source documents an insulation-installation event on this hull ca. 1948-1950 but does NOT state the insulation material - no fiber content, product name, or manufacturer is given. 'Insulation' here cannot be read as 'asbestos' without an additional source; the installation predates her 1951-52 Korean War service. The performing yard for the conversion is not identified in this source. Does not establish quantity, location beyond 'transverse watertight bulkheads,' present-day status (hull scrapped 1970), individual exposure, or causation.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-alstede-af48-04
-
[9]Documented plant and service basis: ShipScribe class data (geared steam turbines, 2 boilers 465 psi/750 deg F, 6,000 hp; R2-S-BV1 refrigerated design) + MARAD status card (R2-S-BV1 'Provision Storehouse') + DANFS-documented overhaul history (Mare Island 1946 and 1953, Puget Sound NSY 1951, Bethlehem Staten Island 1955, Norfolk yards 1955-56 and periodically thereafter) [other_primary]
- Locator
- ShipScribe AF 48 class data block and class notes; MARAD card 172_325AF; DANFS overhaul narrative
- Finding type
- asbestos_application
- Finding
- Inference from documented plant and era practice: a 1944-45 steam refrigerated stores ship carried era-typical insulation - boiler and steam-line lagging, valve/flange gaskets, machinery packing, refrigeration-line insulation, accommodation insulation, brake linings on winches and windlass - products of the period commonly manufactured with asbestos fiber. Documented events that plausibly disturbed or installed insulation include the 1946 Mare Island conversion-for-naval-service, the ca.-1950 fleet-issue insulation installation, and repeated overhauls (Puget Sound 1951; Mare Island 1953; Bethlehem Staten Island 1955; Norfolk 1955-56 and periodically through 1969), all within the era of routine asbestos shipboard use.
- Verification
- inferred
- Role
- supporting
- Documentation level
- class_or_era
- Accessed
- 2026-09-20
- Study period
- 1944-1970
- Population
- Construction trades (Moore Dry Dock, Oakland 1944-45); United Fruit merchant crew (1945-46); conversion and overhaul yard workers (1946-1969); Navy crew (~264)
- Limitations
- Era/design-level inference, not a hull record - no insulation schedule, survey, or materials list for this vessel was located; the cited data documents machinery, conversions, and overhaul events, not materials. The ca.-1950 insulation installation is documented but its composition is not. Does not establish that asbestos was or was not aboard this hull, nor quantity, location, exposure, or causation.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-alstede-af48-05
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[10]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
- AJIM 11(3):359-373
- Finding type
- asbestos_application
- Finding
- Peer-reviewed documentation that asbestos was used extensively as a fireproofing and insulating material in U.S. shipbuilding during WWII - the era and program under which this hull was built (1944-45 at Moore Dry Dock under MC contract) and in which wartime asbestos supply was reserved for shipbuilding.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- context
- Documentation level
- class_or_era
- Accessed
- 2026-09-20
- Study period
- 1940s program documented; article 1987
- Population
- WWII shipyard workers and ship crews (class context)
- Limitations
- Program/era-level scholarship; does not name this vessel. Covers WWII-era construction and practice; the ship's Navy career (1946-69) is mostly postwar, and postwar naval shipboard asbestos practice is documented elsewhere - this source does not address it. Does not establish asbestos aboard this hull, quantity, present-day status, exposure, or causation.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-alstede-af48-06
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[11]Penny v. United Fruit Co., 869 F. Supp. 122 (E.D.N.Y. 1994) (CourtListener opinion 1495716) [court_record]
- Locator
- Opinion, 869 F. Supp. 122; background section and disposition
- Finding type
- litigation_documented
- Finding
- Maritime asbestos litigation reached United Fruit Company, this hull's WSA general agent/operator for its merchant year (1945-05-04 to 1946-05-10): in Penny, the administratrix/widow alleged mesothelioma from asbestos exposure aboard ships of multiple defendants including United Fruit; defendants' motions were granted on ownership/employment grounds (United Fruit et al. argued they did not own the ships on which the decedent worked and did not employ him).
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- context
- Documentation level
- context_only
- Accessed
- 2026-09-20
- Study period
- 1994 (opinion); alleged exposure period pre-1981
- Population
- Merchant mariners suing vessel operators (operator-level context)
- Limitations
- Operator-level context only - the opinion does not name Ocean Chief/Alstede or any specific vessel and makes no exposure finding for this hull; disposition was on ownership/employment grounds, not a merits finding about asbestos conditions. Establishes only that the operator faced maritime asbestos claims.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-alstede-af48-07
-
[12]Batch-546 search ledger (this record): DANFS (via Wikipedia transcription), ShipScribe AF class data and photo page, MARAD ShipHistory Detail 172 + status cards, NavSource 09/06/0648, CourtListener opinion search, NVR scope check, NARA photo/records index [other_primary]
- Locator
- search_ledger rows sl-uss-alstede-af48-01 through sl-uss-alstede-af48-13
- Finding type
- historical_record
- Finding
- No qualifying ship-specific asbestos record located: no asbestos survey, abatement contract, materials schedule, hazmat disclosure, or docketed asbestos case naming Alstede / AF-48 / Ocean Chief / Official No. 247687 was found in the public sources searched (see search_ledger). CourtListener's opinion index returns zero hits for 'Alstede'; hull-number and docket-level queries were blocked by CourtListener's 125/day rate limit this pass (logged, not counted as negative).
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- negative_finding
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-20
- Study period
- 2026-09-20
- Limitations
- Absence of a located public record does not prove absence of asbestos aboard - the hull was scrapped in Spain in 1970-71, before asbestos documentation practice, and era-consistent inference plus one documented insulation-installation event are recorded separately. CourtListener coverage is partial this pass (rate-limited): the 'AF-48' opinion query, 'Alstede' docket query, and 'Ocean Chief' queries were not completed. Does not establish or defeat any claim of exposure or legal eligibility.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-alstede-af48-08
-
[13]NavSource Service Ship Photo Archive, USS Alstede (AF-48) page 09/06/0648 - timeline, Korean War campaign-date tabulation, awards display, commanding-officer roster, and dated photo captions; plus ShipScribe photo page (19-N-94572) and NARA RG 19 citations in the class notes [other_primary]
- Locator
- NavSource 09/06/0648 campaign table, CO roster, photo captions; ShipScribe AF48-p.html photo page; class-notes source line
- Finding type
- historical_record
- Finding
- NavSource's compiled page contributes details absent from DANFS: Korean War campaign date ranges (Second Korean Winter: 1952-01-26 to 28, 02-12 to 15, 02-28 to 03-03, 03-08 to 12, 04-14 to 17 and 04-27 to 30; Korean Defense Summer-Fall 1952: 06-17 to 20, 07-05 to 07 and 07-13 to 14, 09-18 to 21; Third Korean Winter: 1953-04-20 to 22; Korean Summer-Fall 1953: 06-27 to 07-01 and 07-10 to 13); a commanding-officer roster (CDR Alexander Kusebach 1946-05-17 through CAPT Charles E. Ray to 1969-10-31); radio call sign NCYV; and dated yard-period photo captions (Mare Island conversion/repairs 1946-05-10 to 18; Mare Island overhaul 1953-09-11 to 11-16 incl. drydock 10-13 to 26; Rotterdam 1962-03-30; Rota 1962-05-28; Norfolk 1964-10; Genoa 1968-10-01; a 'Naples 1970' caption that conflicts with the 1969-10-31 decommissioning and is likely misdated). Archival leads not retrieved: BuShips conversion correspondence for the ca.-1950 fleet-issue insulation installation (RG 19 Entry P 62 Box 7; Entry UD 1024-A Box 1; BuShips Confidential Corresp 1946-61 File QB/Aux Vess Bd - the citations underlying the compiled class notes); deck logs RG 24 (1946-69); NHHC photo 19-N-94572; MARAD disposition file PD-X-870/PD-X-876 and contract MA-6030.
- Verification
- unverified
- Role
- archival_lead
- Documentation level
- context_only
- Accessed
- 2026-09-20
- Study period
- 1946-1970
- Limitations
- Volunteer-compiled archive used as an index/lead, not as a finding source - the campaign-date tabulation and CO roster are compiled data not re-verified against official records; the photo captions are the strongest content (yard photo numbers given). Direct fetch of navsource.org failed; content obtained via navsource.net mirror (2026-09-20). NARA record groups are leads, not hull evidence; contents unverified and not digitized (no retrieval authorized).
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-alstede-af48-09