Evidence
13 evidence entries recorded; each entry has a stable permalink (#ev-1 … #ev-13).
-
[1]research packet n-packet.md (6 sources cited) [nhhc_danfs]
- Finding type
- vessel_history
- Finding
- Identity packet verdict: VERIFIED (primary-source)
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- supporting
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Evidence ID
- uss-drew-apa162-pkt-n-packet-md
-
[2]DANFS, 'Drew (APA-162)' entry, Naval History and Heritage Command (live NHHC URL returns 404 - verbatim text retrieved via Internet Archive Wayback capture 20251209184104; print-DANFS transcription also mirrored at ibiblio HyperWar apa162.html) [nhhc_danfs]
- Locator
- DANFS entry body text + spec block (Wayback capture 20251209184104)
- Finding type
- vessel_history
- Finding
- NHHC records: 'A county in Arkansas.' Spec block: dp. 6,873; l. 455'; b. 62'; dr. 24'; s. 17 k.; cpl. 536; a. 1 5"; cl. Haskell. Launched 14 September 1944 by Oregon Shipbuilding Corp., Portland, Oreg., under a Maritime Commission contract; sponsored by Mrs. G. De Garmo; commissioned 22 October 1944, Commander D. H. Swinson, USNR, in command. Sailed from San Pedro, Calif., 10 December 1944 with passengers for Seattle where she loaded cargo, departing on the 18th for Honolulu; sailed from Pearl Harbor 8 January 1945 delivering cargo to Guam and Ulithi en route to Leyte (arrived 10 February). Sailed 21 March for the invasion of Okinawa; on 26 March began landing troops on Kerama Retto and other small islands off Okinawa. Landed assault troops 16 April, returned to Okinawa the next day with casualties; demonstration landings on Okinawa 19 April; returned to Ie Shima 20 April with reinforcements, carrying casualties back to Okinawa; sailed for Ulithi 26 April for a brief overhaul. Returned to San Francisco 14 June 1945; carried soldiers from the west coast to Manus; postwar made two voyages to Japan carrying occupation troops out and returning veterans, until arrival at Tacoma, Wash., 16 December 1945. Placed out of commission 10 May 1946; transferred to the Maritime Commission for disposal 19 May 1946. One battle star for World War II service.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- supporting
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-25
- Study period
- 1944-1946
- Limitations
- Primary Navy historical entry - authoritative for service history and end-of-Navy custody. Contains no asbestos or materials information; supports no asbestos claim. Live NHHC page 404s (standing link rot, cf. BATCH-01); the Wayback capture is the verbatim NHHC text.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-drew-apa162-01
-
[3]NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive - USS Drew (APA-162), file 10/03/03162 [other_primary]
- Locator
- NavSource 03162.htm - specifications block, Asiatic-Pacific campaign table, occupation-service table, commanding-officer table, disposal entries
- Finding type
- vessel_history
- Finding
- NavSource timeline corroborates DANFS and adds detail: laid down 30 June 1944 as Maritime Commission type VC2-S-AP5 (MCV hull 128) at Oregon Shipbuilding, Portland, OR; launched 14 September 1944; commissioned 22 October 1944, CDR David H. Swinson, USNR; wartime assignment TransRon Seventeen (COMO T.B. Brittan USN) / TransDiv Fifty (CAPT R.W. Abbot USN); Asiatic-Pacific campaign - assault and occupation of Okinawa Gunto, 26 March-26 April 1945; Navy Occupation Service Medal periods 10 September-2 October 1945 and 20 November-3 December 1945; decommissioned 10 May 1946 at Tacoma, WA; returned to the Maritime Commission 19 May 1946 for lay-up in the NDRF, James River, Lee Hall, VA; struck from the Naval Register 21 May 1946; sold for scrapping 23 January 1974 to Consolidated Steel Corp., Brownsville, TX, delivered 1 March 1974. Spec block: 6,873 t light / 14,837 t full; 455' x 62' x 24'; 17 kt (trial); complement 56 officers + 490 enlisted; troop accommodations 86 officers + 1,440 enlisted; cargo 2,900 DWT non-refrigerated, 150,000 cu ft; boats 2 LCM + 1 open LCPL + 1 covered LCPL (captain's gig) + 2 LCPR + 18 LCVP; armament 1 x 5"/38 DP + 1 quad 40mm + 4 twin 40mm + 10 single 20mm; fuel NSFO 7,780 bbls + diesel 970 bbls; propulsion 1 Westinghouse geared turbine, 2 Babcock & Wilcox header-type boilers, 3 turbo-drive 300kW generators, single propeller, 8,500 shp. Commanding officers: CDR David H. Swinson USNR (22 Oct 1944-7 Nov 1945); LCDR Frank Ray Whitby Jr. USNR, temporary (7-14 Nov 1945); CAPT Charles Lawrence Freeman USN (14 Nov 1945-10 May 1946). NHHC photo NH 78172 (anchored off San Francisco, c. late 1945) noted.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- supporting
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-25
- Study period
- 1944-1974
- Limitations
- Specialist secondary compilation - detailed but non-official; consistent with NHHC and the MARAD status card on all custody dates. Complement listed as 56 officers + 490 enlisted (546) vs DANFS spec block cpl. 536 - variance logged in gaps. Contains no asbestos information; supports no asbestos claim.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-drew-apa162-02
-
[4]U.S. Maritime Administration, ShipHistory database - DREW (APA-162), Ship History Detail 1290 [marad_nrc]
- Locator
- ShipHistory Detail 1290 - characteristics block, mission list, milestone table
- Finding type
- vessel_history
- Finding
- MARAD ShipHistory registry record for this hull: Year Built 1944; Shipyard 'Oregon Shipbuilding Company'; General Type Naval Auxiliary; Specific Type 'APA Attack Transport'; MARAD Type VC2-S-AP5; ship length 455.00 ft; beam 62.00 ft; displacement summer 14,837 t / lightweight 6,873 t; Fate 'Sold - Scrap'; Mission World War II. Milestones tab: Disposition 3/1/1974; Withdrawal 3/1/1974.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- supporting
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-25
- Study period
- 1944-1974
- Limitations
- Authoritative MARAD registry; the milestone table is abbreviated (disposition/withdrawal both shown as 3/1/1974 - the sale award of 1/23/1974 appears only on the status card, ev-04). Contains no asbestos or materials information; supports no asbestos claim.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-drew-apa162-03
-
[5]U.S. Maritime Administration, ShipHistory - DREW (APA-162) digitized Vessel Status Card (card scans 1290_2358AF/AB, 1UG_01) and attached custody ledger ('DREW - Copy.pdf', documents tab) [marad_nrc]
- Locator
- MARAD ShipHistory Detail 1290 - 'Status Cards' tab (3 scans) and 'Documents' tab 'DREW - Copy.pdf' (/documents/2c08a575-77e9-412e-bb18-909dd896ebb5.pdf)
- Finding type
- vessel_history
- Finding
- The vessel's MARAD custody card documents the full chain in government hands: MCV Hull No. 128; built by Oregon SB Corp. #1112 at Portland, Ore.; completed 10-21-44; delivery-by-builder line at Portland '10-21-44 12Noon PWT' (receiving-agency notation carries 'MCV' penned over 'W.S.A.'); allocated to Navy Dept. (del. by USMC) at Portland 10-22-44 9:20AM PWT; '5-19-46 2:10PM EDT @ Lee Hall, Va. from Navy Dept.-Surplus'; ownership field WSA, fleet JR; reason for lay-up 'High cost to convert for commercial use'; fuel oil at entry 1,618 bbls Bunker C; termination port of last voyage NORFOLK; permanent cement ballast (undated) in #2 and #4 lower holds incl. ~1,200 cement blocks 18x18x12 over poured cement. Stamped entries: 'Nominated Repair Program FY 1955 Group 4; Withdrawn Feb.11,1955-1100 hrs EST, GAA-Farrell Lines; Returned JR April 4,1955-1100 hrs EST'; 'Sold for scrap under PD-X-970, 1-23-74 to Consolidated Steel Corporation for $191,799.80'; withdrawn/delivered '1515 EDT 3-1-74'. The attached handwritten redelivery ledger repeats: Navy Dept -> WSA 5-19-46 2:10pm EDT Lee Hall, Va. (surplus); WSA -> Reserve Fleet same date/time (lay-up); Reserve Fleet -> Farrell Lines 2-11-55 11:00am EST James River (LU-GAA); Farrell Lines, Inc. -> Reserve Fleet 4-4-55 11:00am EST (GAA-LU).
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- supporting
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-25
- Study period
- 1944-1974
- Population
- NDRF James River lay-up/withdrawal crews; 1955 repair-period workers (Farrell Lines GAA, scope unrecorded); 1974 breaking-yard workers
- Limitations
- Primary custody record - handwritten/stamped status card and transfer ledger, OCR-aided manual read; documents lay-up reason, the FY1955 Repair Program withdrawal under Farrell Lines GAA, sale contract number and price, and in-fleet modifications (cement ballast). Contains no asbestos or materials information; supports no asbestos claim. The ballast note and fuel-oil figures document hull condition at entry, not hazards.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-drew-apa162-04
-
[6]shipscribe.com, U.S. Navy Auxiliary Ships - HASKELL (APA-117) class page: per-hull Construction, Disposition, and Notes table rows for APA-162 DREW [other_primary]
- Locator
- APA117.html - Construction table row 162; Disposition table row 162; Notes table row 162 (MC hull 128)
- Finding type
- vessel_history
- Finding
- The class construction/disposition tables carry per-hull rows for this ship: acquired/commissioned 22 Oct 1944; keel 30 Jun 1944; launched 14 Sep 1944; builder Oregon SB. Disposition row: decommissioned 10 May 1946; struck 21 May 1946; to custody (disposal) 19 May 1946; fate MC/R; MARAD sale 23 Jan 1974. Notes row (MC hull 128): 'Repaired while inactive 11 Feb 55-4 Apr 55. To buyer 1 Mar 74.' Class-level type data on the same page: 6,873 t light / 12,450 t limited; 455.0' oa (436.5' pp) x 62.0' x 24.0'; 17.7 kt; 8,500 hp; complement 536 (1944); armament 1x5"/38 + 1 quad 40mm + 4 twin 40mm + 10x20mm (1944-45 fit).
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- supporting
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-25
- Study period
- 1944-1974
- Limitations
- Compilation from official records (shipscribe auxiliary-ships data) naming this hull in three per-hull table rows - consistent with NHHC, NavSource, and the MARAD card on all shared dates. Contains no asbestos information; supports no asbestos claim.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-drew-apa162-05
-
[7]NHHC DANFS 'Drew (APA-162)' (Wayback capture 20251209184104) vs ibiblio HyperWar print-DANFS transcription (apa162.html), Encyclopedia of Arkansas entry 13720, NavSource 03162, Wikipedia 'USS Drew' [nhhc_danfs]
- Locator
- NHHC spec block and body; ibiblio apa162.html spec block; encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/uss-drew-13720; en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Drew; navalcovermuseum.org/wiki/DREW_APA_162
- Finding type
- historical_record
- Finding
- Source discrepancies resolved in favor of the current NHHC text: (a) Spec block - the ibiblio transcription of print DANFS carries 'l. 466'' and 'a. 1 6"'; the current NHHC spec block reads 'l. 455'' and 'a. 1 5"', corroborated by MARAD (455.00 ft), NavSource (455', 1x5"/38), shipscribe (455.0' oa), and EoA (455 ft) - the ibiblio values are transcription errors, not authoritative. (b) December 1944 departure port - the Encyclopedia of Arkansas says 'left San Diego ... December 10, 1944'; DANFS says 'sailed from San Pedro, Calif., 10 December 1944' - DANFS adopted (San Pedro was the standard Los Angeles-area embarkation point; the EoA entry is otherwise DANFS-derived). (c) Complement - DANFS spec block cpl. 536 vs NavSource/EoA '56 officers + 490 enlisted' (546): both carried, flagged in gaps. (d) Wikipedia infobox '19 knots' and '12,450 tons (full load)' - inconsistent with DANFS 17 kt and with shipscribe/MARAD figures (14,837 t full load; 12,450 t is the limited-load figure); not adopted. (e) NavalCoverMuseum line 'Decommissioned December 16 1945' misstates arrival-at-Tacoma (16 Dec 1945) as decommissioning; actual decommissioning 10 May 1946 (NHHC/NavSource/status card) - not adopted.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- correction
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-25
- Study period
- 1944-1974
- Limitations
- Resolves secondary-source conflicts against the current NHHC text and the MARAD primary record; none of the compared sources contains asbestos information; this row supports no asbestos claim.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-drew-apa162-06
-
[8]Consolidated era/design inference - documented VC2-S-AP5 geared-steam plant (NavSource 03162 spec block; shipscribe class data; MARAD type registry) [other_primary]
- Locator
- NavSource 03162 spec block (machinery line); shipscribe APA117 class type data; MARAD Detail 1290 registry
- Finding type
- asbestos_application
- Finding
- Era/design inference: this hull carried a single-screw geared-steam plant (one Westinghouse turbine, two Babcock & Wilcox header-type boilers; 8,500 shp) built at the peak of WWII asbestos usage - the machinery configuration for which boiler and fireroom insulation, main and auxiliary steam-line lagging, turbine lagging, valve and flange gaskets, machinery packing, and accommodation joiner insulation of the period were commonly asbestos-containing. Troop-space outfitting (capacity 1,526-1,561) added interior insulation scope. Post-Navy custody is the documented disturbance pathway for this hull: ~28 years NDRF lay-up at James River/Lee Hall (1946-1974), the FY1955 Repair Program withdrawal under Farrell Lines GAA (11 Feb-4 Apr 1955, scope unrecorded), and the 1974 breaking at Brownsville, TX.
- Verification
- inferred
- Role
- supporting
- Documentation level
- class_or_era
- Accessed
- 2026-09-25
- Study period
- 1944-1974
- Population
- Construction trades at Oregon SB, Portland (1944); wartime crew and embarked troops; NDRF lay-up/repair and 1974 breaking-yard workers
- Limitations
- Inference from the documented machinery plant and construction era - NOT a hull record. No survey, specification, or material schedule naming APA-162 was located; establishes no asbestos content, quantity, location, individual exposure, or causation.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-drew-apa162-07
-
[9]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 emergency construction program under which this VC2-S-AP5 attack transport was mass-produced - and that wartime demand drove unprecedented asbestos utilization in shipbuilding.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- context
- Documentation level
- class_or_era
- Accessed
- 2026-09-25
- 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-drew-apa162-08
-
[10]Fleischer, W.E., Viles, F.J. Jr., Gade, R.L., and Drinker, P., 'A health survey of pipe covering operations in constructing naval vessels,' J Ind Hyg Toxicol 28(1):9-16 (Jan 1946), PMID 21016030 [other_primary]
- Locator
- PubMed record PMID 21016030; article pp. 9-16 (pipe covering material section)
- Finding type
- gov_survey
- Finding
- The U.S. Maritime Commission-commissioned industrial-hygiene survey of WWII pipe-covering operations at two Navy yards and two Navy contract yards documented that 'an important ingredient of pipe covering material used on U.S. Navy vessels is amosite' - i.e., asbestos insulation was standard material in wartime naval-vessel construction of exactly this hull's era and type.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- context
- Documentation level
- class_or_era
- Accessed
- 2026-09-25
- 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 construction generally; does not name this vessel, class, or builder yard and establishes nothing about this hull's materials, condition, or any individual exposure. (The study's exculpatory 'not a dangerous occupation' conclusion has since been heavily criticized - see the 2026 critique at DOI 10.1177/10482911261446696.)
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-drew-apa162-09
-
[11]Pruitt v. Air & Liquid Systems Corp., C.A. No. 18-1101-MN-SRF (D. Del., In re Asbestos Litigation / MDL-875 track) - Report and Recommendation (2020-07-30) and Memorandum Opinion, verified via ded.uscourts.gov opinion PDFs (carried from batch-155 litigation-surface check) [court_record]
- Locator
- Report & Recommendation, Facts section (plaintiff's ship assignments); CourtListener API v4 opinion search results 2026-09-25
- Finding type
- litigation_documented
- Finding
- The located attack-transport asbestos docket resolves to other classes: plaintiff John W. Pruitt Sr. alleged mesothelioma from asbestos exposure as a machinist mate stationed in 1958 on 'the USS Bayfield, an attack transport' (APA-33, Bayfield class) and in 1959 on USS Tolovana (AO-64, Cimarron-class oiler). CourtListener opinion sweeps for this hull ran clean on 2026-09-25: exact queries '"USS Drew"' and '"APA-162"' each returned zero opinions; a broad 'Drew' name sweep returned only surname/law-firm collisions. No docketed asbestos opinion naming USS Drew or APA-162 was located in indexed sources.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- context
- Documentation level
- context_only
- Accessed
- 2026-09-25
- Study period
- opinions 2020; service 1958-1963; searches 2026-09-25
- Population
- Navy veterans of APA-type auxiliaries (type context)
- Limitations
- Different hulls and classes - carried only to document that the APA-type litigation surface exists while no Drew/Haskell-specific docket was found. Deposition-stage exposure descriptions in that docket are allegations, not findings. CourtListener RECAP docket-level sweeps for this hull could not be completed at research time (fleet pacing throttle) - opinion-level coverage only; see search_ledger.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-drew-apa162-10
-
[12]Batch-2235 search ledger (this record): NHHC/DANFS via Wayback + ibiblio; NavSource 03162; MARAD ShipHistory Detail 1290 incl. status-card scans and custody PDF; shipscribe APA-117 class tables; CourtListener opinion sweeps; indexed-web litigation checks; NARA record-group guides; Encyclopedia of Arkansas [other_primary]
- Locator
- search_ledger rows sl-uss-drew-apa162-01 through sl-uss-drew-apa162-14
- 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 Drew / APA-162 / M.C.V. Hull 128 was found in the public sources searched (see search_ledger). The MARAD status card - the fullest primary custody record - mentions no asbestos or insulation material anywhere (its only materials note is cement ballast in the lower holds).
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- negative_finding
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-25
- Study period
- 2026-09-25
- Limitations
- Absence of a located public record does not prove absence of asbestos aboard - a 1944 geared-steam transport is era-consistent with asbestos-containing materials, and her ~28 years in NDRF custody, the 1955 repair withdrawal, and the 1974 breaking are undocumented disturbance phases at the materials level. Does not establish presence or absence; does not establish or defeat any exposure claim or legal eligibility. CourtListener docket-level sweeps remain unrun (fleet pacing); opinion-level sweeps returned zero.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-drew-apa162-11
-
[13]NARA Guide to Federal Records: RG 24 (Records of the Bureau of Naval Personnel - Navy deck logs), RG 19 (Records of the Bureau of Ships), RG 178 (Records of the U.S. Maritime Commission), RG 357 (Records of the Maritime Administration) [other_primary]
- Locator
- https://www.archives.gov/research/guide-fed-records/groups/024.html ; /groups/019.html ; /groups/178.html ; /groups/357.html
- Finding type
- historical_record
- Finding
- Archival leads (not retrieved - requires research-room or reproduction order; no spend authorized): Navy deck logs for USS Drew Oct 1944-May 1946 (RG 24, NARA College Park); BuShips records incl. VC2-S-AP5 contract plans and Booklets of General Plans (RG 19); USMC construction-contract records for M.C.V. Hull 128 at Oregon Shipbuilding (RG 178); MARAD/NDRF custody files covering the 1946-1974 lay-up, the FY1955 Group 4 Repair Program withdrawal to Farrell Lines, and the 1974 PD-X-970 sale file (RG 357). The MARAD ShipHistory status-card scans for this hull WERE retrieved (ev-04); deeper document-level holdings (repair scope, condition surveys) remain unexamined.
- Verification
- unverified
- Role
- archival_lead
- Documentation level
- context_only
- Accessed
- 2026-09-25
- Study period
- 1944-1974 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-drew-apa162-12