Evidence
11 evidence entries recorded; each entry has a stable permalink (#ev-1 … #ev-11).
-
[1]DANFS, 'Amador (AK-158)' entry, Naval History and Heritage Command - verbatim transcription via HistoryCentral mirror (canonical NHHC URLs 404; Wayback offline at research time) [nhhc_danfs]
- Locator
- historycentral.com/navy/Transport/Amador.html (DANFS transcription); canonical NHHC page https://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/a/amador.html returns 404 (standing link rot, cf. BATCH-01)
- Finding type
- vessel_history
- Finding
- DANFS entry (verbatim via transcription mirror; live NHHC page 404s at both URL variants on 2026-09-20 and the Wayback Machine was offline): namesake 'A county in the state of California'; spec block '(AK-158: dp. 7,450; l. 338'6", b. 50', dr. 21'1", s. 11.5 k., cpl. 79; a. 1 3", 6 20mm.; cl. Alamosa; T. C1-M-AV1)'. Laid down under Maritime Commission contract (MC hull 2103) 27 Dec 1943 at Richmond, Calif., by Kaiser Cargo Inc.; launched 15 Jun 1944, sponsored by Mrs. S. J. Davis; acquired by the Navy 10 Aug 1944; commissioned 9 Oct 1944; decommissioned at Portland, Oreg., 23 Oct 1944 to undergo conversion to an ammunition tender by the Commercial Iron Works; recommissioned 25 Nov 1944, Lt. Fred W. Beyer in command. Service: shakedown off San Pedro early Dec 1944; loaded cargo and ammunition at Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo; sailed for Eniwetok 11 Jan 1945 (arrived 29th), routed to Ulithi (arrived 18 Feb), assigned Service Squadron 10; ammunition-handling operations at Ulithi through 15 Mar; sailed 16th for Leyte via Kossol Roads, anchored San Pedro Bay 22 Mar issuing ammunition to ships of the fleet and reworking defective projectiles and fuzes; 23 Oct moved to Guinan roadstead, Samar, receiving ammunition from ammunition lighters for transportation back to the United States; underway for Seattle 12 Nov, arrived Puget Sound 8 Dec; remained in area until deactivation preparations began 29 Mar 1946; decommissioned 20 Jun 1946; name struck from the Navy list 19 Jul 1946; transferred to the Maritime Commission 23 Jul 1946; subsequently sold and fitted out for merchant service.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- supporting
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-20
- Study period
- 1943-1946
- Population
- wartime crew (complement 79); Commercial Iron Works conversion workforce (Oct-Nov 1944); Mare Island Navy Yard loading workforce
- Limitations
- Primary Navy historical entry, authoritative for service history and custody chain; accessed via transcription mirror because the canonical NHHC page 404s and archive.org was temporarily offline - text consistent across NavSource and HistoryCentral mirrors. Contains no asbestos or materials information; supports no asbestos claim.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-amador-ak158-01
-
[2]NavSource Online, Service Ship Photo Archive - USS Amador (AK-158), file 09/13/130158 (timeline, spec block, merchant-service chain, commanding officers, awards) [other_primary]
- Locator
- navsource.net/archives/09/13/130158.htm
- Finding type
- vessel_history
- Finding
- NavSource timeline corroborates DANFS and adds detail: laid down 27 Dec 1943 as Maritime Commission type C1-M-AV1 hull, MC hull 2103, Kaiser Cargo Inc., Richmond CA; launched 15 Jun 1944; acquired 10 Aug 1944; commissioned 9 Oct 1944; decommissioned 23 Oct 1944 at Commercial Iron Works, Portland OR for conversion to an ammunition tender; recommissioned 25 Nov 1944, LT Fred W. Beyer in command; decommissioned 20 Jun 1946 Seattle WA; returned to Maritime Commission 21 Jun 1946 Olympia WA; struck from Naval Register 19 Jul 1946; returned to MC 23 Jul 1946 for disposal. Merchant service: sold 23 Mar 1948 by the Maritime Commission to Sudden & Christensen, Inc., agents for Rederacti Edolajet Signy; reflagged Sweden, to buyer 13 Apr 1948, renamed MV Skagern; resold 1963, reflagged Greece, renamed MV Nicoloas; renamed MV Dina, reflagged Lebanon; renamed MV Alkistis 1973; scrapped Spain 1980. Spec block: 2,382 t (lt) / 7,450 t (fl); 338'8" x 50' x 21'1"; 11.5 kts; complement 10 officers + 69 enlisted; largest boom 30 t; cargo 3,945 DWT (refrigerated 9,830 cu ft; non-refrigerated 227,730 cu ft); armament 1 x 3"/50 DP + 6 x 20mm AA; diesel fuel 6,300 bbls; propulsion one Nordberg TSM 6 diesel plus two diesel-drive 250 kW 120V/240V DC ship's-service generators, single propeller, 1,750 shp. Awards: American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Medal, Philippines Liberation Medal. BuShips completion photo 19-N-76408 credited to Commercial Iron Works, Columbia River, 4 Dec 1944.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- supporting
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-20
- Study period
- 1943-1980
- Population
- wartime crew; Commercial Iron Works conversion workforce
- Limitations
- Specialist secondary compilation - detailed but non-official; consistent with DANFS and the MARAD status cards. Merchant-name spellings vary across sources (NavSource 'Nicoloas'/'Alkistis'; shipscribe 'ALKYSTIS') - logged in gaps. Contains no asbestos or materials information; supports no asbestos claim.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-amador-ak158-02
-
[3]U.S. Maritime Administration, ShipHistory database - AMADOR (AK-158), Ship History Detail 178, incl. digitized vessel status-card scans 178_338AB, 178_338BB, BD_01 and document AMADOR.pdf [marad_nrc]
- Locator
- ShipHistory Detail 178; card images /cards/178_338AB.jpg, /cards/178_338BB.jpg, /cards/BD_01.png; AMADOR.pdf at /documents/8243d968-b772-444d-be62-999ea2898ea7.pdf
- Finding type
- vessel_history
- Finding
- MARAD ShipHistory registry for AMADOR (AK-158), Detail 178: Year Built 1944; Official No. 246597; Shipyard 'Kaiser Company'; General Type Naval Auxiliary; Specific Type 'AK Cargo Ship'; MARAD Type C1-M-AV1; length 338.00 ft; beam 50.00 ft; displacement 7,450 summer / 2,382 lightweight; fate 'Sold - Foreign Flag Op.' Three digitized status cards read directly: card BD_01 (vessel status card) - Hull No. MC 2103, built by Kaiser Cargo Inc. #60 (R4) at Richmond Cal., completed 10-9-44; basis to U.S.M.C. 10-9-44 1pm PWT at Richmond from builders (WSA custody); custody chain: Navy Department (LB) Richmond 10-9-44 1pm PWT; Reserve Fleet Olympia Wash. 6-21-46 noon PST (surplus); American Mail Line Ltd. GAA Olympia 4-21-47 noon PST; Reserve Fleet Olympia 5-6-47 5pm PST; Sudden & Christenson Inc. GAA Olympia 3-23-48 10:15 PST ('without cost to Commission'); delivered to Rederiaktiebolaget Signy 'Skagern' (purchase) Seattle Wash. 4-13-48 10 AM; 'title passed 4-12-48 12:05 AM.' Fleet card 178_338BB (Olympia A-2) records 'ALLOCATED FOR SALE AND WITHDRAWN FROM FLEET 4-21-47, REJECTED BY PURCHASER', re-entered fleet 5-6-47 4:30 PM, ship's papers 'final alloc 615 3-3-48 / prelim alloc 634 3-1-48 as is (Swedish buyer)', withdrawn 3-23-48 10:15 AM delivered to Operations, Seattle. Fleet card 178_338AB (fleet/unit Pug.S. D-3): entered fleet 6-21-46; ship's papers prelim alloc 216A 3-29-47 / final alloc 203A 4-15-47; withdrawn 4-21-47 1:15 PM delivered to Div. of Operations.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- supporting
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-20
- Study period
- 1944-1948
- Population
- Olympia reserve-fleet caretakers (1946-48); custody-transfer and delivery crews
- Limitations
- Authoritative government custody record; card handwriting partially legible (read with moderate confidence). MARAD's own milestone table ('Entered Reserve Fleet 6/1/1946'; 'Sold 4/16/1947') conflicts with its status cards - the 4-21-47 withdrawal was a sale allocation REJECTED BY PURCHASER, and the completed sale passed title 4-12-48 with delivery 4-13-48; card dates carried as controlling. Contains no asbestos, materials, or condition-survey information; supports no asbestos claim.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-amador-ak158-03
-
[4]Shipscribe U.S. Navy auxiliary ships data sheets, 'USS Alamosa (AK-156) Class' page (Stephen S. Roberts compilation from Navy registers, BuShips/SCB design records, and MARAD files) [other_primary]
- Locator
- shipscribe.com/usnaux/AK/AK156.html - class data block, construction table (AK-158 row), disposition table (AK-158 row), ship note 2103
- Finding type
- vessel_history
- Finding
- Shipscribe register compilation, ALAMOSA (AK-156) class page: class design MC C1-M-AV1; 2,474 t light / 7,450 t limiting; 338.5' oa / 320.0' wl x 50.0' x 21.1' lim; original armament 1-3"/50 + 6-20mm; class complement 69 (1944); 11.5 kts; machinery Nordberg diesel TSM6, 1 screw, 1,750 HP. Construction table row for AMADOR: acquired 9 Oct 44; builder Kaiser Cargo, Richmond; keel 27 Dec 43; launched 15 Jun 44; commissioned 25 Nov 44. Disposition row: decommissioned 20 Jun 46; struck 19 Jul 46; disposal 21 Jun 46; fate MC/D; MA sale 12 Apr 48 (matches status card 'title passed 4-12-48'). Ship note: 'Ferry commission 9-23 Oct 44. Converted by Commercial Iron Works, Portland, Ore. (begun 23 Oct 44). Merc. SKAGERN (Swedish) 1948. Scrapped 1980 as ALKYSTIS.'
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- supporting
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-20
- Study period
- 1943-1980
- Population
- Kaiser Cargo Richmond construction workforce (1943-44); Commercial Iron Works conversion workforce (Oct-Nov 1944)
- Limitations
- Compiled secondary transcription of official Navy registers, BuShips design records, and MARAD files - not the registers themselves; figures consistent with DANFS/NavSource/MARAD cards. Shipscribe's 'acquired 9 Oct 44' and commissioned 25 Nov 44 reflect the post-conversion dates; DANFS carries the earlier 10 Aug 44 acquisition and 9 Oct 44 ferry commission - both documented, difference logged in gaps. Class-level complement (69, 1944) conflicts with DANFS/NavSource 79 - logged, not merged. Contains no asbestos information; supports no asbestos claim.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-amador-ak158-04
-
[5]Shipscribe AK-156 class page, class narrative (CNO-BuShips 1 Jul 1944 conversion directive) and ship note for AK-158; DANFS entry (conversion at Commercial Iron Works) [other_primary]
- Locator
- Class narrative paragraph (1 Jul 44 CNO directive to BuShips); ship note MC 2103 row
- Finding type
- historical_record
- Finding
- Documented insulation-installation scope aboard this hull: the BuShips-derived class narrative records that on 1 Jul 1944 CNO asked BuShips to convert three ships of this class (AK-156, AK-158, and AK-160) for service as ammunition tenders for advanced Central Pacific bases, 'the conversions to include insulation and ventilation in the ammunition cargo holds and special stowage for pyrotechnics.' AK-158's conversion was executed by Commercial Iron Works, Portland, Ore. (begun 23 Oct 1944 - shipscribe ship note; DANFS confirms decommissioning at Portland 23 Oct 1944 for conversion to an ammunition tender by the Commercial Iron Works, recommissioned 25 Nov 1944).
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- supporting
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-20
- Study period
- 1944
- Population
- Commercial Iron Works conversion workforce (insulators, pipe coverers, sheet-metal trades), Oct-Nov 1944; wartime crew working the converted ammunition holds
- Limitations
- Documents that insulation and ventilation were installed in this hull's ammunition cargo holds during the Oct-Nov 1944 conversion - the single closest approach to a ship-specific materials record located. The source does not identify insulation material or manufacturer and does not state 'asbestos'; whether the installed insulation was asbestos-containing is unestablished and era-consistent either way. Does not establish quantity, individual exposure, or causation.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-amador-ak158-05
-
[6]Consolidated era/design inference - documented machinery plant (NavSource spec block; DANFS spec block; shipscribe class data) and documented conversion scope (ev-uss-amador-ak158-05) [other_primary]
- Locator
- NavSource spec block; shipscribe AK-156 class page
- Finding type
- asbestos_application
- Finding
- Consolidated era/design inference: this hull carried a single-screw Nordberg TSM6 diesel plant (1,750 shp) with diesel-driven ship's-service generators - no boiler plant - built at Kaiser Cargo's Richmond Yard No. 4 under a Maritime Commission contract at the peak of WWII asbestos usage. Era-typical asbestos applications for a 1944 USMC diesel cargo ship would be exhaust and muffler insulation, machinery-space and accommodation fireproofing and joiner insulation, valve and flange gaskets, machinery packing, winch/windlass brake linings, and electrical insulation; the documented 1944 conversion added insulation and ventilation in the ammunition holds whose material content is unrecorded.
- Verification
- inferred
- Role
- supporting
- Documentation level
- class_or_era
- Accessed
- 2026-09-20
- Study period
- 1943-1946
- Population
- Kaiser Cargo Richmond construction trades (1943-44); Commercial Iron Works conversion workforce (1944); wartime crew
- Limitations
- Inference from the documented machinery plant, builder, and construction era - NOT a hull materials record. No survey, specification, or material schedule naming AK-158 was located; establishes no asbestos content, quantity, location, individual exposure, or causation. Narrower inference than steam auxiliaries - the diesel plant removes the boiler and steam-line lagging pathway.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-amador-ak158-06
-
[7]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 Maritime Commission program under which this C1-M-AV1 hull was built (1943-44) - and that wartime demand drove unprecedented asbestos utilization in shipbuilding.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- context
- Documentation level
- class_or_era
- Accessed
- 2026-09-20
- Study period
- 1940s era documented; article 1987
- Population
- WWII shipyard workers and ship crews (class context)
- Limitations
- Program/era-level scholarly documentation of asbestos use in WWII shipbuilding generally; does not name this vessel or class and does not establish that asbestos was or remains aboard this hull, nor quantity, location, condition, exposure, or causation.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-amador-ak158-07
-
[8]Fleischer, W.E., Viles, F.J. Jr., Gade, R.L., and Drinker, P., 'A health survey of pipe covering operations in constructing naval vessels,' Journal of Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology 28(1):9-16 (Jan 1946), PMID 21016030 [other_primary]
- Locator
- PubMed PMID 21016030
- Finding type
- gov_survey
- Finding
- A U.S. Maritime Commission-commissioned industrial-hygiene survey of WWII shipyard pipe-covering operations documented amosite asbestos pipe covering and boiler-block insulation being cut and fitted at Navy and contract shipyards - the documented product environment at USMC contract yards of the era, the program under which Kaiser Cargo produced this hull.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- context
- Documentation level
- class_or_era
- Accessed
- 2026-09-20
- Study period
- survey ~1944-45; published 1946
- Population
- WWII pipe coverers and insulators at Navy and contract yards (era context)
- Limitations
- Era-level documentation of asbestos use in naval and contract-yard construction generally; does not name this vessel, class, or builder yard (whether Kaiser Cargo Richmond was among surveyed yards is unverified) and establishes nothing about this hull's materials, condition, or any individual exposure.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-amador-ak158-08
-
[9]California DTSC, Kaiser Richmond Shipyard site profile (Richmond Harbor Restoration Project); U.S. EPA CERCLA record CAD980637557 [other_primary]
- Locator
- EPA Superfund site info CAD980637557 (live-verified 2026-09-20); DTSC profile https://www.dtsc.ca.gov/SiteCleanup/Projects/Kaiser_Richmond_Shipyard.cfm (returned 403 to automated fetch)
- Finding type
- environmental_record
- Finding
- The builder yard site has documented asbestos contamination: the former Kaiser Richmond shipyard complex (where this hull was built 1943-44, Kaiser Cargo Yard No. 4) is a California DTSC cleanup site under the Richmond Harbor Restoration Project with asbestos-containing materials documented in site soils and structures, and carries EPA RCRA/CERCLA ID CAD980637557 (Kaiser Alum & Chem Co Shipyard #2, Richmond CA; NFRAP determination).
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- context
- Documentation level
- context_only
- Accessed
- 2026-09-20
- Study period
- 1940-1945 operations; remediation 1990s-2010s
- Population
- Kaiser Richmond wartime workforce (context); site remediation workers
- Limitations
- Yard-site environmental record only - documents ACM at the former shipyard site, not aboard any hull; does not establish that asbestos was installed in this vessel, nor any exposure or causation. Attribution of the cleanup site to Yard No. 4 specifically (vs. the broader Kaiser Richmond complex) is unverified.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-amador-ak158-09
-
[10]Batch-835 search ledger (this record): NHHC/DANFS via mirrors; NavSource 130158; MARAD ShipHistory Detail 178 + three status-card scans + AMADOR.pdf; shipscribe AK-156 class page; NVR; CourtListener API/HTML (blocked); indexed-web sweeps; VA BVA index [other_primary]
- Locator
- search_ledger rows sl-uss-amador-ak158-01 through sl-uss-amador-ak158-13
- Finding type
- historical_record
- Finding
- No qualifying ship-specific asbestos record located: no asbestos survey, abatement contract, hazmat disclosure, court finding, or docketed asbestos case naming USS Amador / AK-158 / MC hull 2103 / Official No. 246597 or her merchant names (Skagern, Nicoloas, Dina, Alkistis) was found in the public sources searched (see search_ledger). CourtListener systematic name/hull-number sweeps were blocked at research time (API HTTP 429 '125/day'; HTML search HTTP 403); indexed-web litigation checks surfaced only law-firm marketing ship-list pages naming the hull (duboselawfirm.com, freeasbestostesting.com, mesotheliomaasbestoshelpcenter.com) - an excluded source class asserting era-typical content without primary support - and no docketed case. VA BVA index returned only name collisions (USS America and unrelated vessels).
- 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 - a 1944 USMC diesel cargo ship with a documented hold-insulation conversion is era-consistent with asbestos-containing materials. Litigation coverage is incomplete: CourtListener was rate-limited at research time, so a name/hull-number docket sweep remains an open check. Does not establish presence or absence; does not establish or defeat any exposure claim or legal eligibility.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-amador-ak158-10
-
[11]NARA Guide to Federal Records: RG 24 (deck logs), RG 19 (Bureau of Ships), RG 178 (U.S. Maritime Commission), RG 248 (War Shipping Administration); MARAD ShipHistory Detail 178 document set [other_primary]
- Locator
- archives.gov record-group guides; vesselhistory.marad.dot.gov/ShipHistory/Detail/178
- Finding type
- historical_record
- Finding
- Archival leads (not retrieved - research-room or reproduction order required; no spend authorized): NARA RG 24 (Bureau of Naval Personnel) Navy deck logs for USS Amador, Oct 1944-Jun 1946, College Park; RG 19 (Bureau of Ships) C1-M-AV1 design/contract records and the Commercial Iron Works conversion file - the ammunition-tender conversion scope (insulation and ventilation in the cargo holds, per the 1 Jul 1944 CNO directive) is the most promising ship-specific materials lead, and BuShips completion photo 19-N-76408 (Commercial Iron Works, Dec 1944) is already cataloged; RG 178 (U.S. Maritime Commission) construction-contract records for MC hull 2103 at Kaiser Cargo Richmond; RG 248 (War Shipping Administration) vessel custody records; MARAD sale file for the 1948 Sudden & Christensen/Rederiaktiebolaget Signy transaction (ship's papers allocations 634/615 visible on the status card).
- Verification
- unverified
- Role
- archival_lead
- Documentation level
- context_only
- Accessed
- 2026-09-20
- Study period
- 1943-1980 records
- Limitations
- Record-group mapping only - no box-level retrieval performed; existence of asbestos-specific documents for this hull is unknown until surveyed in person. Nothing in this row is an asbestos finding.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-amador-ak158-11