Evidence
8 evidence entries recorded; each entry has a stable permalink (#ev-1 … #ev-8).
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[1]DANFS, Deft (AM-216) (builder, dates, service narrative, spec block; verbatim NHHC text via Wayback capture of history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/d/deft.html, 2025-01-25 - the live NHHC page returns 404; verbatim match confirmed against the hazegray transcription mirrored at losthistory.net) [nhhc_danfs]
- Locator
- DANFS entry 'Deft' (AM-216), specifications block + service narrative (Wayback capture of history.navy.mil, 2025-01-25)
- Finding type
- vessel_history
- Finding
- DANFS record for this hull: launched 28 March 1943 by Tampa Shipbuilding Co., Inc., Tampa, Fla.; sponsored by Mrs. E. H. Jacobs; commissioned 16 April 1945, Lieutenant J. C. Engle, USNR, in command. Sailed from Norfolk 22 June 1945; called at San Diego, Pearl Harbor, Saipan, and Okinawa; arrived Sasebo, Japan, 21 September 1945; swept mines off the coast of Honshu and served occupation duties until 15 December 1945, then departed for the west coast. Arrived San Pedro 4 April 1946 for local operations until 13 August; sailed for the Philippines, reached Subic Bay 24 October, decommissioned 9 November 1946; transferred to the Republic of China 27 August 1948; scrapped by the Chinese Navy 16 January 1959. One battle star for World War II service. Spec block: dp. 530; l. 184'6"; b. 33'; dr. 9'9"; s. 15 k.; cpl. 104; a. 1 x 3"; cl. Admirable.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- supporting
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-22
- Study period
- 1942-1959
- Population
- Tampa Shipbuilding construction trades 1942-45; wartime crew (design complement 104)
- Limitations
- DANFS documents service history and specifications, not materials or asbestos content. DANFS does not print a laid-down date (27 December 1942 rests on NAVSHIPS 250-011 and NavSource) and does not print a striking date or the vessel's Republic of China Navy name. Live NHHC page 404s (standing batch-01 defect); verbatim text confirmed against the 2025-01-25 Wayback capture and the losthistory.net/hazegray transcription.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-deft-am216-01
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[2]Bureau of Ships, Ships' Data U.S. Naval Vessels, Vol. II: Mine Vessels (less DM and CM), Patrol Vessels, Landing Ships and Craft, NAVSHIPS 250-011, 13 April 1945 (GPO 1945; scan via shipscribe.com) [other_primary]
- Locator
- NAVSHIPS 250-011, Mine Vessels - Mine Sweepers (AM) tables: propulsion/generator table (DEFT AM216 row, p. 32 of the section), builder/date table (p. 33), AM214-311 class characteristics block (pp. 26-27)
- Finding type
- vessel_history
- Finding
- The official 1945 BuShips register names DEFT, official number AM216, in the mine-sweeper tables: builder Tampa S. B. Co., Inc.; keel laid 27 December 1942; launched 28 March 1943; date of first commission 16 April 1945; engine manufacturer/model 'C. B. GSB-8' (Cooper-Bessemer GSB-8), shaft horsepower 1,710, 'Nat. Sup.' (National Supply Co.) single reduction gear; ship's service generators 1 x 100 kW 450 V A.C., 2 x 60 kW 450 V A.C., 3 x 20 kW 120 V D.C. The AM214-311 class characteristics block prints: 2 propellers, geared 'Diesel' drive with single reduction gears (the register distinguishes this from 'Diesel elec.'); length 184'6" o.a., 180'0" w.l.; extreme beam 33'0"; limiting-draft displacement 945 tons; trial displacement 850 tons; trial speed 14.8 knots; total accommodations 11 officers + 93 enlisted; armament 1 x 3"/50 cal. D.P. and 2 twin 40mm A.A. mounts (footnote: AM214/AM215 excepted; AM-216 carried the standard fit).
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- supporting
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-22
- Study period
- 1942-1945 (register data as of 13 April 1945)
- Population
- Tampa Shipbuilding construction trades 1942-45; wartime crew
- Limitations
- Contemporaneous official register - establishes identity, builder, construction dates, and propulsion for this hull; contains no materials or asbestos information. The class block prints geared 'Diesel' drive for AM214-311 - this class carried no boilers. The 1,710 figure is the class-table shaft-horsepower entry and is not labeled per-engine or aggregate. Secondary compilations conflict: Wikipedia/en-academic print 'ALCO 539 / Farrel-Birmingham' (class-generic boilerplate true of the earlier AM136-165 group, not this hull) and the HyperWar compiled card prints 'diesel-electric, 1,800 h.p., commissioned 1944' - all contradicted by this official register; the register row is carried.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-deft-am216-02
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[3]NavSource Online: Mine Warfare Vessel Photo Archive, Deft (AM 216) (photo/data archive page; read via Wayback capture 2024-12-28 - live host blocks automated fetch) [other_primary]
- Locator
- NavSource AM-216 archive page, ship history block + specifications block + CO roster + photo captions (Wayback capture 2024-12-28)
- Finding type
- vessel_history
- Finding
- NavSource archive record for this hull: laid down 27 December 1942 by Tampa Shipbuilding Co., Tampa, FL; launched 28 March 1943; commissioned USS Deft (AM 216) on 16 April 1945; decommissioned 9 November 1946 at Subic Bay, Philippines; struck from the Naval Register 27 August 1948 and transferred to the Republic of China; scrapped by the Chinese Navy 16 January 1959. Commanding-officer roster printed (LT John Charles Engle, USNR, from 16 April 1945; LTJG William Henry Hinkie, USNR, from 23 March 1946; LCDR William Everett Hoppe, USNR, from 30 May 1946). Photo captions credit the National Museum of the U.S. Navy for a commissioning-day crew photograph at Mallory Line Docks, Tampa, 16 April 1945, and an in-drydock view. Spec block (945 t. full load; 184'6" x 33' x 9'9"; 14.8 kts; complement 104; 1 x 3"/50 DP, one twin 40mm, six single 20mm, hedgehog, four K-guns, two depth-charge tracks; two 1,710 shp Cooper Bessemer GSB-8 diesels, National Supply Co. single reduction gear, two shafts) is consistent with the official NAVSHIPS table where they overlap.
- Verification
- partial
- Role
- archival_lead
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-22
- Study period
- 1942-1959 (compiled)
- Population
- Construction trades 1942-45; wartime crew; ROC Navy crew 1948-1959
- Limitations
- Private photo/data archive, not an official source: the 'struck from the Naval Register 27 August 1948' detail and the CO roster rest on a secondary compilation (though consistent with DANFS's transfer date and with UNTS Agreement No. 895). Propulsion entries here agree with the official register (Cooper-Bessemer GSB-8 / National Supply), contra the ALCO 539 / Farrel-Birmingham boilerplate in Wikipedia-class summaries. No Republic of China Navy name for the hull is printed. No materials or asbestos content.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-deft-am216-03
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[4]United Nations Treaty Series, vol. 70 (1950), No. 895: Agreement between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of China concerning the transfer of naval vessels and equipment pursuant to United States Public Law 512, 79th Congress (with exchange of notes), signed at Nanking 8 December 1947, in force on signature; registered with the UN Secretariat 1950 [other_primary]
- Locator
- UNTS vol. 70, Agreement No. 895, Schedule 'A' part 2 (treaty-series p. 20; PDF pp. ~20-21 of the scan)
- Finding type
- vessel_history
- Finding
- Schedule 'A' to the 8 December 1947 U.S.-Republic of China naval-transfer agreement lists 'AM 216' under part 2, 'vessels now earmarked and recommended for transfer to China under Public Law 512, 79th Congress, 2nd Session, and provisions of Executive Order No. 9843 of April 25, 1947,' with the location column reading 'Philippines' - the official bilateral instrument under which this hull, then in decommissioned status at Subic Bay, passed to the Republic of China (transfer consummated 27 August 1948 per DANFS/NavSource).
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- supporting
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-22
- Study period
- 1947-1948
- Limitations
- Documents the legal transfer pathway for this specific hull number - an earmarking schedule, not a condition or materials record: it says nothing about asbestos, survey status, or the vessel's material condition at handover, and does not print the ROC service name. The December 1947 schedule lists vessels 'earmarked and recommended'; DANFS dates the actual transfer 27 August 1948.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-deft-am216-04
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[5]Fleischer WE, Viles FJ Jr, et al., 'A health survey of pipe covering operations in constructing naval vessels,' J Ind Hyg Toxicol 1946 Jan;28:9-16 (PMID 21016030) [other_primary]
- Locator
- PubMed citation record PMID 21016030; J Ind Hyg Toxicol 1946;28:9-16
- Finding type
- asbestos_application
- Finding
- The wartime federal industrial-hygiene survey of pipe-covering operations in naval vessel construction (conducted during WWII naval shipbuilding, published January 1946) documents that insulation work on ships under construction used asbestos-containing materials - the standard practice environment in which this hull was built at Tampa Shipbuilding in 1942-45.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- context
- Documentation level
- class_or_era
- Accessed
- 2026-09-22
- Study period
- 1944-1946 (survey/publication)
- Population
- WWII naval-vessel pipe coverers and insulators (class context)
- Limitations
- Industry-wide wartime survey, not a hull record - does not name this vessel, the Tampa Shipbuilding yard, or the Admirable class; its reassuring conclusion ('not a dangerous occupation') is itself now criticized as deeply flawed (Kelly, New Solut 2026;36:138-150, PMID 42307414). Establishes era context only - that asbestos insulation work was performed in WWII naval vessel construction - not materials aboard AM-216.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-deft-am216-05
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[6]Marr WT, 'Asbestos exposure during naval vessel overhaul,' Am Ind Hyg Assoc J 1964 May-Jun;25:264-8 (PMID 14168424) [other_primary]
- Locator
- PubMed citation record PMID 14168424; Am Ind Hyg Assoc J 1964;25:264-8
- Finding type
- asbestos_application
- Finding
- Published industrial-hygiene study documenting asbestos exposure during naval vessel overhauls - the era pathway relevant to shipyard-side maintenance and inactivation work generally.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- context
- Documentation level
- class_or_era
- Accessed
- 2026-09-22
- Study period
- 1964 (publication)
- Population
- Naval shipyard insulation workers (class context)
- Limitations
- Study period (early 1960s) post-dates this hull's entire U.S. service (commissioned April 1945, decommissioned November 1946) by nearly two decades and does not name AM-216. Unlike sibling Admirable-class records with documented Navy-yard overhauls, this hull had no documented stateside Navy-yard availability - post-commissioning periods were local operations at San Pedro and inactivation at Subic Bay. Documents the era overhaul-exposure pathway only, not work on or materials aboard this hull.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-deft-am216-06
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[7]GAO, Navy Efforts To Protect Workers From Asbestos Exposure, HRD-80-2 (Oct 18, 1979) [gao]
- Locator
- GAO product page HRD-80-2 (full text blocked, HTTP 403)
- Finding type
- gov_survey
- Finding
- GAO documented the Navy's asbestos-protection program and its 1975/1979 insulation-removal policies covering the WWII-built fleet - program-level confirmation that Navy ship construction of Deft's era incorporated asbestos insulation and that the material was managed as a known hazard aboard Navy vessels.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- context
- Documentation level
- class_or_era
- Accessed
- 2026-09-22
- Study period
- 1979
- Population
- Navy shipyard workers; asbestos program review
- Limitations
- Program-level documentation, not hull-specific; establishes era context for WWII Navy construction, not materials aboard AM-216 - which was decommissioned in 1946 and left U.S. custody in 1948, decades before the Navy's documented asbestos-management program existed. Does not establish individual exposure, quantities, or presence at any time. Full text not retrieved (gao.gov blocks automated fetch, HTTP 403) - content via product-page description.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-deft-am216-07
-
[8]Batch-1193 search ledger (this record): NHHC DANFS (live + Wayback capture), NAVSHIPS 250-011 Ships' Data 1945, Naval Vessel Register, NavSource archive, UNTS vol. 70 Agreement No. 895, MARAD Vessel History Database, CourtListener opinion/docket indexes, Google Scholar case-law index, NARA catalog, PubMed, shipyard dataset (shipyards.json), general web index [other_primary]
- Locator
- search_ledger rows sl-uss-deft-am216-01 through sl-uss-deft-am216-16
- Finding type
- historical_record
- Finding
- No qualifying ship-specific asbestos record located: no asbestos survey, abatement contract, hazmat disclosure, or docketed case naming USS Deft (AM-216) was found in the public sources searched (see search_ledger). CourtListener authenticated API sweep could not be completed on 2026-09-22 (shared 2,800/day quota exhausted, HTTP 429; the web UI returned 403 to automated fetch); a Google Scholar case-law query for "USS Deft"/"AM-216" returned zero case results, and web-index spot checks surfaced only marketing listicles that name the vessel without evidence.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- negative_finding
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-22
- Study period
- 2026-09-22
- Limitations
- Absence of a located public record does not prove absence of asbestos aboard - the hull was built 1942-45 in a wartime commercial yard and its post-1946 life was foreign transfer and reported foreign scrapping, for which no survey or sale/disposal record was located. Does not establish that asbestos is or was not present; does not establish or defeat any claim of exposure or legal eligibility. CourtListener sweep remains open - logged as a gap, not a clean negative.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-deft-am216-08