Evidence
4 evidence entries recorded; each entry has a stable permalink (#ev-1 … #ev-4).
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[1]DANFS-derived via Wikipedia (cites DANFS Online); hullnumber.com; shipscribe.com Gilliam-class notes (MC hull 1856) [nhhc_danfs]
- Finding type
- vessel_history
- Finding
- USS Bladen (APA-63), Gilliam-class attack transport, built by Consolidated Steel, Wilmington, CA (MC hull 1856 per shipscribe; one infobox gives '1851', apparently an error, that number belonging to APA-58). Laid down 8 March 1944; launched 31 May 1944, sponsored by Mrs. John McNerney; acquired 17 October 1944; commissioned 18 October 1944, LCDR W. P. Hartung in command. Departed the west coast 20 November 1944 for Pearl Harbor, embarking the 103rd and 109th Seabee battalions for Guam. Returned to Pearl Harbor 13 January 1945; sailed 27 January for the invasion of Iwo Jima via Saipan, unloading troops and cargo 19-28 February 1945. To Saipan, then Okinawa 1-10 April 1945. Six weeks at Saipan, then Tulagi 4 June, Noumea, and San Francisco 21 July. August-September: Pearl Harbor, Eniwetok, Ulithi, Philippines (until 20 September); Wakayama, Honshu; departed Wakayama 26 September for the Philippines; a second voyage to Japan; San Francisco 23 November; December return to the Philippines; Pearl Harbor 22 January 1946. Prepared for Operation Crossroads; at Bikini 31 May-30 August 1946, serving as hotel vessel for the Baker test. Departed Kwajalein 30 August, arriving San Francisco 13 September. Decommissioned 26 December 1946. Placed in the National Defense Reserve Fleet; sold for scrapping 1955 and broken up by November 1956. Two battle stars for WWII service.
- Verification
- partial
- Role
- supporting
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Limitations
- DANFS returning HTTP 500 fleet-wide; identity facts from DANFS-derived Wikipedia narrative corroborated against hullnumber.com and shipscribe.com. Not to be confused with USS Rochambeau (AP-63), a different vessel with the same hull digits.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-bladen-apa63-01
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[2]Negative search result across authoritative repositories (2026-09-25) [other_primary]
- Finding type
- historical_record
- Finding
- No ship-specific asbestos documentation located for USS Bladen (APA-63) in any authoritative source searched (Navy, NARA, HAER, museum records). This is a negative finding, not an absence of exposure.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- negative_finding
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Limitations
- Negative finding reflects search coverage, not proof of absence. No hull-specific asbestos survey located.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-bladen-apa63-02
-
[3]CourtListener authenticated search (combined ship name + hull number) not completed - helper connection broke mid-request, fleet pacing limits (2026-09-25) [court_record]
- Finding type
- litigation_documented
- Finding
- CourtListener authenticated search for the combined ship name and hull number ("USS Bladen" APA-63) could not be completed during the writing session. The Mac Studio authenticated helper accepted the request but the SSH connection broke before any results returned; remaining ships were logged without further attempts to avoid tripping fleet-wide pacing limits. The search gap is logged; the search must be retried before any litigation finding can be claimed.
- Verification
- unverified
- Role
- negative_finding
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Limitations
- Search not run; no litigation finding can be claimed. Retry required for complete coverage.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-bladen-apa63-03
-
[4]U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, asbestos exposure guidance for Navy veterans [other_primary]
- Finding type
- historical_record
- Finding
- Era context: the Department of Veterans Affairs states that many WWII-era Navy ships contained asbestos products, with boiler and engine rooms of particular concern because asbestos was widely used as insulation during this period.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- context
- Documentation level
- context_only
- Limitations
- Era context only - does not establish asbestos presence aboard this specific hull. Not a finding about this ship.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-bladen-apa63-04