USS General J. R. Brooke (AP-132)

Evidence

9 evidence entries recorded; each entry has a stable permalink (#ev-1 … #ev-9).

1. [1]research packet crew-cw-packet.md (3 sources cited) [nhhc_danfs]

   Finding type

   vessel_history

   Finding

   Identity packet verdict: VERIFIED

   Verification

   verified

   Role

   supporting

   Documentation level

   ship_specific

   Evidence ID

   uss-general-j-r-brooke-ap132-pkt-crew-cw-packet-md

2. [2]DANFS, 'General J. R. Brooke (AP-132)' entry, NHHC (history.navy.mil), published 2015-07-10 [nhhc_danfs]

   Locator

   DANFS entry, specifications block + namesake biography + full service narrative

   Finding type

   vessel_history

   Finding

   DANFS records: C4-S-A1 transport (dp 9,877 lt; 522'10" x 71'6" x 26'6"; 16.5 kt; cpl. 471; trp. 3,444; 4x5", 8x1.1", 16x20mm; General G. O. Squier class), laid down under Maritime Commission contract 1942-06-29 by Kaiser Co. Inc., Yard 3, Richmond CA; launched 1943-02-21, sponsored by Mrs. Helen Thompson; acquired by the Navy 1943-12-10; converted to a transport by Matson Navigation Co., San Francisco; commissioned 1944-01-20 at San Francisco, CAPT David L. Nutter in command. WWII Pacific: Port Hueneme 1944-02-24 with >3,600 troops (mostly Seabees) to Pearl Harbor, returned San Francisco 1944-03-08; 1944-03-19 to 1944-04-23 round trip San Francisco-Noumea/Espiritu Santo (3,600 men); sailed 1944-05-12 for New Guinea, debarked 3,400 troops at Oro Bay, thence to New York arriving 1944-07-03. Atlantic: 12 transatlantic voyages (8 New York, 2 Boston, 2 Norfolk) 1944-07-26 to 1945-09-05 to Plymouth/Liverpool/Southampton, Naples, Cherbourg/Marseilles/Le Havre, and Oran, returning German POWs to the U.S. Postwar: two Magic Carpet/troop-rotation voyages New York-Calcutta/Ceylon via Suez 1945-09-11 to 1946-01-03; five New York-Le Havre voyages 1946-01-19 to 1946-06-10; May 1946 transported >2,700 German POWs to France. Moored Norfolk 1946-06-13; decommissioned Newport News 1946-07-03; returned to WSA 1946-07-18; entered NDRF James River; sold to Bethlehem Steel Corp., Wilmington DE, April 1964; renamed Marymar.

   Verification

   verified

   Role

   supporting

   Documentation level

   ship_specific

   Accessed

   2026-10-05

   Study period

   1942-1964

   Population

   USN crew (~471) and embarked troops (~3,400/voyage), 1944-1946; German POWs carried westbound

   Limitations

   Establishes identity, construction, and full service history. Verified live 2026-10-05 via Firecrawl render (full page retrieved); plain curl/WebFetch returned 404 - standing NHHC bot-block behavior noted since Batch 01, not link rot. Contains no asbestos, insulation, or materials statements. WSA return date '18 July 1946' conflicts with the MARAD status card's contemporaneous 1946-07-17 - see ev-04 and gaps.

   Atlas source

   true

   Evidence ID

   ev-uss-general-j-r-brooke-ap132-01

3. [3]NavSource Online Service Ship Photo Archive, USS General J. R. Brooke (AP-132) - chronology, specifications block, awards, commanding-officer roster [other_primary]

   Locator

   NavSource 09/22/22132: chronology list, specifications block, awards strip, CO roster, photo captions (Mare Island #644/645/693/696/697-44; NARA RG-19-LCM #19-N-71654)

   Finding type

   vessel_history

   Finding

   NavSource Service Ship Photo Archive records: laid down 1942-06-29 as MC type C4-S-A1 (MC hull 655) at Kaiser Shipbuilding Inc., Yard 3, Richmond CA; launched 1943-02-21; acquired from the Maritime Commission 1943-12-10; fitted out for naval service as a Naval Transport at Matson Navigation Co., San Francisco; commissioned 1944-01-20, CAPT David L. Nutter; operated in Europe-Africa-Middle East and Asiatic-Pacific theaters; decommissioned 1946-07-03 at Newport News VA; struck 'date unknown'; returned to the Maritime Commission 1946-07-17 for layup NDRF James River, Lee Hall VA. Merchant service per NavSource: title exchange 1964-04-07 to Bethlehem Steel Corp., Wilmington DE; renamed SS Marymar 1964-05-27; converted to a general cargo vessel 1964-11-21; sold 1976-08-10 to Marlin Steamship Co., Inc., renamed SS Marlin; renamed SS Mary 1976-09-27; sold 1979-04-28 for scrapping to Sing Cheng Yung Iron & Steel Co. Ltd., Taiwan. Specifications block: 9,950 t lt / 17,250 t fl; officers 39 + enlisted 432; troop officers 228 + enlisted 3,216; cargo 1,900 DWT / 70,000 cu ft non-refrigerated; armament 4x single 5"/38 DP, 2x twin 40mm AA, 15x twin 20mm AA; fuel NSFO 13,300 bbl; propulsion one Westinghouse geared turbine, two Babcock & Wilcox header-type boilers 465 psi/765 deg.F, double Falk main reduction gears, three 400 kW 240V AC turbo-drive generators, single screw 9,000 shp. Awards: American Campaign Medal; Europe-Africa-Middle East Campaign Medal; Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal; WWII Victory Medal. CO roster: Nutter 1944-01-20 to 1944-08-30; Wakefield 1944-08-30 to 1944-11-14; Nager 1944-11-14 to 1945-11; Johns 1945-11 to 1946-07-03. Call sign NJBI.

   Verification

   verified

   Role

   supporting

   Documentation level

   ship_specific

   Accessed

   2026-10-05

   Study period

   1942-1979

   Population

   USN crew 1944-1946; NDRF layup crews 1946-1964; merchant crews 1964-1979

   Limitations

   Curated secondary compilation of official Navy/MC data, not itself a primary record; corroborated by DANFS and the MARAD status cards where they overlap. Armament fit differs from DANFS (as-built vs later wartime fit - see gaps). Contains no asbestos or materials information.

   Atlas source

   true

   Evidence ID

   ev-uss-general-j-r-brooke-ap132-02

4. [4]U.S. Maritime Administration, ShipHistory database - GENERAL J. R. BROOKE (AP-132), Detail 1825 [marad_nrc]

   Locator

   ShipHistory Detail 1825, vessel data fields + milestone table + status cards tab

   Finding type

   historical_record

   Finding

   MARAD ShipHistory database record: GENERAL J. R. BROOKE (AP-132), Detail 1825 - year built 1943; official number 294730; shipyard Kaiser Company; general type Naval Auxiliary / specific type AP Transport; MARAD type C4-S-A1; 522.84 ft x 71.50 ft; 13,000 gross tons; displacement 17,250 t summer / 9,950 t lightweight; mission tag World War II; fate 'Sold - Scrap'; custody milestones: Entry 7/7/1946, Acquisition 7/7/1946, Disposition 4/8/1964 'EXCHANGE PROGRAM', Withdrawal 4/8/1964; four digitized status cards on file; no historical narrative, documents, or plans.

   Verification

   verified

   Role

   supporting

   Documentation level

   ship_specific

   Accessed

   2026-10-05

   Study period

   1943-1979

   Limitations

   Authoritative for government custody milestones and type/tonnage data. The milestone table's 7/7/1946 entry date conflicts with the status card's contemporaneous 'on basis to W.S.A. 7-17-46' at Lee Hall (see ev-04) - likely a data-entry shorthand; the card controls. Contains no asbestos, materials, or condition-survey information.

   Atlas source

   true

   Evidence ID

   ev-uss-general-j-r-brooke-ap132-03

5. [5]U.S. Maritime Administration vessel status cards for GENERAL J. R. BROOKE (AP-132), digitized at MARAD ShipHistory Detail 1825 (images 1825_3379AF.jpg, 1825_3379AB.jpg, and two card scans) [marad_nrc]

   Locator

   Status cards tab, images 1825_3379AF.jpg / 1825_3379AB.jpg / a78a835e-1f55-48ed-865c-f2840afc62af.png / e3a5b67e-ff4a-4747-9369-e08be9a838ab.png - read from card images

   Finding type

   historical_record

   Finding

   MARAD digitized status cards (primary artifacts, read from card images): (a) typed Vessel Status Card - off. no. 294,730 (AP-132); flag U.S.; type C4-S-A1 'Trooper'; D.W.T. 6,094; gross 13,000; speed 17.5; MC hull no. 655; 'Built by Kaiser Co., Inc. SY#3 at Richmond, Cal.'; completed 12-10-43; 'On basis to W.S.A. 7-17-46 11:45AM EDT @ Lee Hall, Va. from Navy Dept. - Surplus.' Allocation table: Reserve Fleet, Lee Hall Va. 7-17-46 11:45AM EDT; American-Hawaiian S.S. Co. (Repair Program), GAA, James River 3-8-55 12:15pm EST; Reserve Fleet (Repair Program), James River 5-25-55 1:30pm EST; Bethlehem Steel Corp. (Exchange), Title, Washington DC 4-7-64 12 Noon EST; physical delivery from James River 4-8-64 6:00pm EST; renamed 'MARYMAR' 5-27-64; 'Converted from Troopship to General Cargo Vessel 11-21-64'; sold to Marlin Steamship Co., Inc. 8/10/76, renamed 'MARLIN' 8/10/76, renamed 'MARY' 9/27/76; 'Sold to Sing Cheng Yung Iron & Steel Co., Ltd. (for scrapping in Taiwan) 4/28/79.' (b) Reserve Fleet Division - Vessel Data card: fleet James River; pass. cap. 3,528; date entered fleet 7-17-46; hull no. 655; fuel oil at entry 2,361 bbl Bunker C; 'Nominated Repair Program FY 1955, Group 4'; withdrawn 3-8-55; returned JR 5-25-55; sea chest filled; 'Exchange Program Contract No. MA-3583 dated April 7, 1964 - Exchange ship Marymar - Use Agreement No. MA-3584'; termination port/last voyage Norfolk; hull 496'7" x 71'6" x 43'6"; withdrawn 4-8-64 1800 hrs, 'Delivered to Purchaser - Calmar SS Corp.'; handwritten note: gears 'to be returned on loan basis for General Robert J. Howze' dated 4-18-49; Report of Permanent Ballast (12/1/49): #1 hold cement poured 54'x45'x4', Evap. Room cement poured 60'x30'x3'.

   Verification

   verified

   Role

   supporting

   Documentation level

   ship_specific

   Accessed

   2026-10-05

   Study period

   1946-1979

   Population

   NDRF layup/preservation crews (1946-1964); American-Hawaiian repair crews (1955); Calmar/Marlin merchant crews (1964-1979); Taiwan scrapping workers (1979)

   Limitations

   Primary contemporaneous custody records, partially OCR-aided by direct image read. Resolve the layup date conflict (milestone table 7/7/46, DANFS 7/18/46): the card records 'on basis to W.S.A. 7-17-46 11:45AM EDT @ Lee Hall' - 1946-07-17 adopted. Document the FY1955 repair-program withdrawal under an American-Hawaiian GAA - a shipyard availability on this hull whose scope and materials impact are unrecorded - and the 1964 troopship-to-cargo conversion. Establish the delivery chain: title to Bethlehem Steel Corp. (Exchange contract MA-3583), physical delivery to purchaser Calmar SS Corp. - Calmar was Bethlehem Steel's shipping subsidiary, reconciling NavSource's 'Bethlehem Steel' with the card's 'Calmar.' No asbestos or materials information.

   Atlas source

   true

   Evidence ID

   ev-uss-general-j-r-brooke-ap132-04

6. [6]NavSource 09/22/22132 specifications block (machinery, ship-specific); corroborated by Corn & Starr, 'Historical perspective on asbestos: Policies and protective measures in World War II shipbuilding,' AJIM 11(3):359-373 (1987), doi:10.1002/ajim.4700110311 [other_primary]

   Locator

   NavSource 09/22/22132 specifications block; Corn & Starr abstract (doi:10.1002/ajim.4700110311)

   Finding type

   asbestos_application

   Finding

   This hull's documented plant - two Babcock & Wilcox header-type boilers (465 psi, 765 deg.F), one Westinghouse geared steam turbine, double Falk main reduction gears, three 400 kW turbo-drive generators, single screw 9,000 shp - is a full WWII high-pressure steam installation built under a 1942 Maritime Commission contract. Peer-reviewed scholarship documents that U.S. WWII shipbuilding used asbestos extensively as fireproofing/insulation and that wartime demand drove unprecedented asbestos utilization aboard ships; the typical application set for this plant type is boiler and steam-drum insulation, turbine casing lagging, steam-line lagging, valve/flange gaskets, machinery packing, accommodation insulation, and brake linings.

   Verification

   inferred

   Role

   supporting

   Documentation level

   class_or_era

   Accessed

   2026-10-05

   Study period

   1942-1979

   Population

   Construction trades (Kaiser Richmond Yard 3, 1942-43); Matson Navigation conversion workers (1943-44); USN engineering crews 1944-1946; NDRF preservation crews 1946-1964; repair-program yard crews (1955); cargo-conversion yard crews (1964); merchant crews 1964-1979; scrapping workers (1979)

   Limitations

   Machinery configuration is ship-specific (NavSource specs); the asbestos link is era/design inference - no insulation schedule, survey, or material sample for this hull was located. Does not establish quantity, location, condition, or present-day presence (hull scrapped Taiwan 1979). DOI resolves to Wiley, which returned 403 to automated fetch - standing publisher bot-block; citation retained per established fleet practice.

   Atlas source

   true

   Evidence ID

   ev-uss-general-j-r-brooke-ap132-05

7. [7]GAO-05-264, Maritime Administration: Improved Program Management Needed to Address Timely Disposal of Obsolete Ships (Feb 2005); GAO NSIAD-99-18, Federal Surplus Ships (Oct 1998), citing MARAD 'Environmental Assessment of the Sale of NDRF Vessels for Scrapping' (Jul 1997) [gao]

   Locator

   GAO-05-264 product page and PDF summary text; NSIAD-99-18 PDF

   Finding type

   gov_survey

   Finding

   GAO documented that the more than 100 deteriorating obsolete ships then in the National Defense Reserve Fleet - the fleet where this hull lay at James River 1946-1964 - 'contain hazardous materials such as asbestos, lead, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), and residual oils and fuels that are typically found on older ships,' and that MARAD ship disposal must comply with federal hazardous-material and worker-safety statutes; a related GAO review (NSIAD-99-18) records MARAD's July 1997 environmental assessment of NDRF scrapping sales.

   Verification

   verified

   Role

   context

   Documentation level

   context_only

   Accessed

   2026-10-05

   Study period

   1997-2005 (publication); 1946-1964 (this hull's layup window)

   Population

   Ship scrapping and NDRF preservation workers (program-level)

   Limitations

   Fleet/program-level documentation post-dating this hull's 1964 exchange sale - it establishes that NDRF hulls of this vintage typically contained asbestos and that disposal implicates hazmat law, but says nothing about this specific hull, its materials, or its sales (1964 exchange; 1979 Taiwan scrapping, both predating MARAD's 1997 environmental-assessment era). gao.gov returned 403 to automated fetch - product-page metadata used; full-text pull remains the open lead (standing since Batch 01).

   Atlas source

   true

   Evidence ID

   ev-uss-general-j-r-brooke-ap132-06

8. [8]Batch-2061 search ledger (this record): NHHC DANFS, NavSource, MARAD ShipHistory + status cards, NVR, CourtListener API v4 opinions + dockets, ibiblio OnlineLibrary hull index, web index [other_primary]

   Locator

   search_ledger rows sl-uss-general-j-r-brooke-ap132-01 through -10

   Finding type

   historical_record

   Finding

   No qualifying ship-specific asbestos record located: no asbestos survey, insulation schedule, abatement contract, hazmat disclosure, or docketed asbestos case naming General J. R. Brooke (AP-132) was found in the public sources searched (see search_ledger). CourtListener API v4 (authenticated, fleet-paced) returned: 'General J. R. Brooke' opinions - 0; 'General J. R. Brooke' dockets - 0; 'AP-132' opinions - 24 hits, all non-vessel token noise (Ohio appellate/attorney-disciplinary 'AP' case numbers, bankruptcy adversary-proceeding numbers); 'AP-132' dockets - 262 hits, all bankruptcy adversary-proceeding docket-number noise; 'AP-132' + asbestos opinions - 0. ('AP-132' + asbestos docket variant pending - fleet pace limiter; see ledger.) Law-firm marketing pages listing the ship among 'asbestos Navy vessels' exist but carry no primary support and are excluded by rule.

   Verification

   verified

   Role

   negative_finding

   Documentation level

   ship_specific

   Accessed

   2026-10-05

   Study period

   2026-10-05

   Limitations

   Absence of a located public record does not prove absence of asbestos - a 1943 steam transport is era-consistent with asbestos insulation, and the hull was scrapped abroad (Taiwan 1979) without a documented materials inventory. Does not establish or defeat any individual exposure claim or legal eligibility.

   Atlas source

   true

   Evidence ID

   ev-uss-general-j-r-brooke-ap132-07

9. [9]NARA record-group guidance: RG 24 (Navy deck logs), RG 19 (Bureau of Ships, incl. RG-19-LCM photo series), RG 178 (U.S. Maritime Commission) [other_primary]

   Locator

   NARA Guide to Federal Records, RG 24 / RG 19 / RG 178 group descriptions; photo numbers per NavSource captions

   Finding type

   historical_record

   Finding

   Archival leads (not retrieved - no paid reproduction authorized): NARA WWII-era deck logs for AP-132 (RG 24, National Archives at College Park) would document the 1944-46 voyages; Bureau of Ships records (RG 19) and Maritime Commission records for MC hull 655 (RG 178) may hold construction/outfitting specifications; NavSource photo captions already identify specific official prints - Mare Island yard photos 644/645/693/696/697-44 and NARA RG-19-LCM photo 19-N-71654 (New York Navy Yard, 1944-07-24). The 1955 repair-program availability under American-Hawaiian S.S. Co. (GAA) and the 1964 Calmar conversion would each have generated yard job files - locations unknown.

   Verification

   unverified

   Role

   archival_lead

   Documentation level

   context_only

   Accessed

   2026-10-05

   Study period

   1942-1979 records

   Limitations

   Record-group mapping only - no box-level retrieval performed; existence of asbestos-specific documents for MC hull 655 is unknown until surveyed in person. Nothing in this row is an asbestos finding.

   Atlas source

   true

   Evidence ID

   ev-uss-general-j-r-brooke-ap132-08