Evidence
12 evidence entries recorded; each entry has a stable permalink (#ev-1 … #ev-12).
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[1]DANFS, 'Gwinnett' entry, Naval History and Heritage Command (live NHHC URL returns 404 - standing link-rot issue; verbatim text verified against the hazegray/losthistory DANFS transcription mirror, transcribed by Yves Hubert) [nhhc_danfs]
- Locator
- DANFS 'Gwinnett' entry (canonical: https://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/g/gwinnett.html - 404 on access date)
- Finding type
- vessel_history
- Finding
- DANFS entry for Gwinnett (AG-92/AVS-5): originally designated AK-185; 'launched as AG-92' under Maritime Commission contract by Walter Butler Shipbuilders, Inc., Superior, Wis., 14 May 1944, sponsored by Mrs. Oliva Dionne; taken down the Mississippi to New Orleans, outfitted at Port Houston Iron Works, Houston, Tex.; commissioned there 10 April 1945, Lt. H. K. Golwey in command; redesignated AVS-5 on 25 May 1945; after shakedown in the Gulf of Mexico ordered to the Pacific coast for disposal; arrived San Francisco 25 January 1946; decommissioned and simultaneously redelivered to the Maritime Commission 11 February 1946. Spec block: dp. 2,411; l. 338'8"; b. 50'4"; s. 11 k.; cpl. 105; a. 1 3", 6 20mm; T. C1-M-AV1.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- supporting
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-20
- Study period
- 1943-1946
- Limitations
- Primary Navy historical entry - authoritative for service history and disposal. Contains no asbestos or materials information; supports no asbestos claim. Live NHHC page 404s (standing defect); text verified via transcription mirror, not the canonical page. The 'launched as AG-92' wording conflicts with the documented March 1945 reclassification - see correction row ev-uss-gwinnett-ag92-07.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-gwinnett-ag92-01
-
[2]Bureau of Ships, Ships' Data, U.S. Naval Vessels, Vol. 3 (NAVSHIPS 250-012, 1945), 'Auxiliaries - Aviation Supply Ships (AVS)' table, GWINNETT AVS5 row [other_primary]
- Locator
- SDB 1945 v3, AVS section table (pp. ~441-443 of scan); index confirms 'M.C. Hull 2116 (now Gwinnett) .. AVS5'
- Finding type
- vessel_history
- Finding
- Official BuShips Ships' Data 1945 Vol. 3 carries a per-hull row for GWINNETT AVS5 in the 'Auxiliaries - Aviation Supply Ships (AVS)' table: 'GWINNETT (ex- M.C. Hull 2116, ex-AK185, ex-AG92)'; dimensions 338'8" oa / 320'0" pp x 50'4" beam; trial speed 11.0 kts; machinery 1 Nordberg Diesel (OCR reads 'TSM216'), 1,700 shp, 1 propeller; main armament 1 x 3"/50 cal (D.P.); total accommodations 9 officers + 96 enlisted (=105); commissioned 10 Apr 45; limiting displacement 7,450 tons, limiting draft 21'1".
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- supporting
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-20
- Study period
- 1945
- Population
- Ship's complement (105 berths)
- Limitations
- Authoritative wartime BuShips publication naming this hull - confirms identity, designation sequence (AK-185 > AG-92 > AVS-5), diesel machinery plant, armament, and manning. OCR of the scanned columnar table is partially garbled; values cross-checked against DANFS and the MARAD status card. Contains no asbestos or insulation-material statement; supports no asbestos claim.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-gwinnett-ag92-02
-
[3]U.S. Maritime Administration, ShipHistory database - GWINNETT (AK-185 / AG-92 / AVS-5), Ship History Detail 2042 [marad_nrc]
- Locator
- ShipHistory Detail 2042, registry fields
- Finding type
- vessel_history
- Finding
- MARAD ShipHistory registry record for this hull: 'GWINNETT (AK-185 / AG-92 / AVS-5)'; Year Built 1944; U.S. Official Number 246437; Shipyard 'Walter Butler Shipbuilders'; General Type General Cargo; Specific Type Break Bulk; MARAD Type C1-M-AV1; length 321.40 ft; beam 50.00 ft; draft (summer) 21.00; fate 'Sold - Foreign Flag Op.'; WWII mission flag. The registry's milestones table and historical-narrative fields are empty for this vessel; the custody detail is carried instead by the scanned status cards and Transfer Order (ev-04, ev-05).
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- supporting
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-20
- Study period
- 1944-present (registry record)
- Limitations
- Authoritative for registry identity and final-fate category. Registry length (321.4 ft) is the registered/rule length, not overall (338'8" per DANFS/SDB). Contains no asbestos, materials, or condition-survey information; supports no asbestos claim.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-gwinnett-ag92-03
-
[4]MARAD ShipHistory Detail 2042 - scanned vessel status cards (2042_3796AF.jpg reserve-fleet data card; 2X0_01.png WSA vessel status card) [marad_nrc]
- Locator
- Status-card scans attached to Detail 2042 (cards/2042_3796AF.jpg, cards/2042_3796AB.jpg, cards/2X0_01.png)
- Finding type
- historical_record
- Finding
- Scanned WSA/MARAD vessel status cards for GWINNETT AVS-5 (O.N. 246437, Hull No. 2116) document the custody chain: 'Built by Port Houston Iron Wks at Houston, Texas, Completed 3-13-45'; 'Basis to W.S.A.: USMC 3-13-45 10:00AM CWT @ Houston, Texas del. by Builders to USMC'; allocation rows - Navy Dept. (delivered to Navy by USMC) at Houston 3-13-45 10AM CWT; WSA Reserve Fleet at Suisun Bay, Calif. 2-11-46 9:00AM PST; General SS Corp. under GAA at Suisun Bay 7-11-47 11:10AM PST; REPUBLIC OF FRANCE (form of agreement PURCH, handwritten 'Oct 1946' annotation) at San Francisco 8-14-47 12MID PWT, renamed 'Sainte Helene'. Reverse card: date entered fleet 2-11-46; est. cost repairs at entry $104,750; DWT 5,010; length 321.4 / breadth 50 / depth 29 / draft 21'5/8"; date withdrawn from fleet 7-11-47 'delivered to General S/S Co.'; H.P. 1750 BHP.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- supporting
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-20
- Study period
- 1945-1947
- Limitations
- Primary custody document - authoritative for allocation/delivery events. Handwritten entries read by direct image inspection; a few fields are partially legible ('Sainte Helene' rename, 'Oct 1946' annotation read with moderate confidence; M/D/YY convention confirmed by the 2-11-46 fleet-entry date matching the documented decommissioning/redelivery). Contains no asbestos or materials information.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-gwinnett-ag92-04
-
[5]United States Maritime Commission, Transfer Order No. C-5553 (approving sale and transfer to French registry and flag of M/V Gwinnett) [marad_nrc]
- Locator
- Gwinnett_2042_001.pdf - Transfer Order C-5553 (single-page scan, OCR-aided reading)
- Finding type
- historical_record
- Finding
- U.S. Maritime Commission Transfer Order No. C-5553 (scanned PDF on the MARAD vessel record) documents that the Commission on May 29, 1947 authorized the sale of the undocumented M/V GWINNETT to 'La Republique Francaise - Ministere Des Travaux Publics Et Des Transports (Secretariat General A la Marine Marchande),' Paris, with privilege of transfer to French registry and flag; approval under the cited Shipping Act provisions granted, signed A. J. Williams, Secretary.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- supporting
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-20
- Study period
- 1947
- Limitations
- Primary disposal document - authoritative for the MC sale authorization (1947-05-29) and French-government purchaser; physical delivery to France is separately documented by the status card (8-14-47). The OCR of the scanned order is partially garbled in the recital paragraph (cited statutory section numbers read with moderate confidence). Contains no asbestos or materials information.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-gwinnett-ag92-05
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[6]Shipscribe U.S. Navy auxiliary ships data sheets, 'USS Gwinnett (AVS-5) Class' page (class notes + ship notes) [other_primary]
- Locator
- AVS-5 class page - Class Notes and Ship Notes tables
- Finding type
- vessel_history
- Finding
- Shipscribe class compilation (Stephen S. Roberts, from Navy registers/BuShips/MARAD records) documents the design and designation context: on 8 May 1943 JCS requested the Maritime Commission build 100 diesel-propelled C1-M-AV1 small freighters (75 Navy-manned incl. 10 refrigerated, 25 Army); Auxiliary Vessels Board recommended acquisition 10 Jan 1944 (AK 156-220, AF 30-39); on 27 Feb 45 CNO selected AK-185, AK-199, and probably AK-206 for use as Aviation Supply Ships; CNO recommended reclassification as AG 92-94 on 9 Mar 45 and SecNav approved 12 Mar 45 ('Both dates are used in Navy records'); the ships became AVS 5-7 when the AVS designation took effect 25 May 45. Ship note for AVS-5 (MC 2116): delivered to MC in the Great Lakes 6 Nov 44; arrived New Orleans 23 Dec 44; reassembled by Port Houston Iron Works and delivered to MC and Navy 13 Mar 45; merchant service as STE. HELENE 1947; scrapped 1970 as PRINCE K.L.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- supporting
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-20
- Study period
- 1943-1970
- Limitations
- Compiled secondary transcription of official Navy register, CNO/SecNav action, and MARAD records, not the registers themselves - used where internally consistent and corroborated (sister-ship NavSource entries independently date the AG reclassifications to 12 Mar 45). Merchant-era detail (Sainte Helene/Prince K.L.) is summary-level. No asbestos or materials information; supports no asbestos claim.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-gwinnett-ag92-06
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[7]Cross-source reconciliation: DANFS entry; shipscribe AVS-5 class notes; NavSource entries for USS Gwinnett (09/50/5005), USS Nicollet (5006), USS Pontotoc (5007); WSA/MARAD status card (2X0_01.png); Wikipedia infobox claims [other_primary]
- Locator
- As cited per item; NavSource content read via indexed search text (direct fetch failed on access date)
- Finding type
- historical_record
- Finding
- Source discrepancies logged: (a) designation date - DANFS says the ship was 'launched as AG-92' on 14 May 1944, but the shipscribe-compiled CNO/SecNav record places the AK-185 to AG-92 reclassification at 9-12 March 1945 (CNO recommendation 9 Mar; SecNav approval 12 Mar; 'both dates are used in Navy records'), and sister ships Nicollet (AG-93) and Pontotoc (AG-94) are independently dated to the same 12 Mar 1945 reclassification; the March 1945 formal date is adopted, and the DANFS wording treated as retrospective. (b) NavSource lists 'Leased to General Steamship Corp., 7 November 1947' - the WSA status card shows the General SS Corp. general-agency allocation at Suisun Bay on 7-11-47 (11 Jul 1947), indicating a likely date-format misreading; card date adopted. (c) Wikipedia's infobox '1 x battle stars' is unsupported - the DANFS record shows no combat-zone service and NavSource's ribbon list carries only American Campaign Medal and WWII Victory Medal; the claim is excluded from this record.
- Verification
- disputed
- Role
- correction
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-20
- Study period
- 1944-1947
- Limitations
- Resolves publication-level discrepancies in favor of the more granular/primary record in each case; the underlying SecNav action document itself was not retrieved, so the 9-vs-12 Mar variant remains open within Navy records. None of the reconciled items bears on asbestos content.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-gwinnett-ag92-07
-
[8]Consolidated era/design inference - BuShips SDB 1945 v3 machinery row for this hull + C1-M-AV1 type data (shipscribe AVS-5 class page) + WWII-era shipbuilding asbestos literature (Corn & Starr; Fleischer et al.) [other_primary]
- Locator
- SDB 1945 v3 AVS table machinery column (Nordberg diesel row for GWINNETT AVS5)
- Finding type
- asbestos_application
- Finding
- Era/design inference: this hull was built (1943-44) and converted to an aviation stores issue ship (1944-45) at the peak of WWII asbestos usage in U.S. shipbuilding, under a Maritime Commission emergency-type contract. Its documented plant is diesel (1 Nordberg, 1,700 shp, single screw - BuShips SDB row), so the boiler-insulation and steam-line-lagging category applicable to steam auxiliaries does not apply; era-typical asbestos applications aboard a diesel auxiliary of this type would instead center on engine-exhaust lagging, machinery gaskets and packing, accommodation and galley thermal insulation, deck coverings, winch/windlass brake linings, and electrical insulation.
- Verification
- inferred
- Role
- supporting
- Documentation level
- class_or_era
- Accessed
- 2026-09-20
- Study period
- 1943-1946
- Population
- Construction/conversion trades (Walter Butler Superior 1943-44; Port Houston Iron Works 1944-45); engine-room and maintenance crew
- Limitations
- Inference from the documented machinery plant and construction era - NOT a hull record. No survey, specification, or material schedule naming this hull or the C1-M-AV1 design was located; establishes no asbestos content, quantity, location, or condition aboard this vessel. The diesel plant materially narrows the candidate application set relative to steam auxiliaries.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-gwinnett-ag92-08
-
[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 C1-M-AV1 hull was built and converted - and that wartime demand drove unprecedented asbestos utilization aboard naval and merchant-type hulls.
- 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 aboard this hull, nor quantity, location, condition, exposure, or causation.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-gwinnett-ag92-09
-
[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,' Journal of Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology 28(1):9-16 (1946) [other_primary]
- Locator
- PubMed record 21016030; J Ind Hyg Toxicol 28(1):9-16 (1946)
- Finding type
- gov_survey
- Finding
- The U.S. Maritime Commission-commissioned industrial-hygiene survey of WWII pipe-covering operations at Navy yards and Navy contract yards documented that 'an important ingredient of pipe covering material used on U.S. Navy vessels' was amosite asbestos - era-level evidence that insulating work during this hull's construction/conversion window was asbestos-intensive in naval construction generally.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- context
- Documentation level
- class_or_era
- Accessed
- 2026-09-20
- Study period
- 1944-45 survey; published 1946
- Population
- WWII naval-vessel construction pipe-coverers (class context)
- Limitations
- Era-level documentation of asbestos use in naval construction generally; does not name this vessel, class, or builder/conversion yard (whether Walter Butler Superior or Port Houston Iron Works was among the surveyed contract yards is unverified), and the survey concerned steam-pipe covering - a limited application set on this diesel hull. Establishes no asbestos content, exposure, or causation aboard this vessel.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-gwinnett-ag92-10
-
[11]Batch-693 search ledger (this record): NHHC/DANFS via mirror; MARAD ShipHistory Detail 2042 + status-card scans + Transfer Order C-5553; BuShips SDB 1945 v3; shipscribe AVS-5 class page; NavSource 09/50/5005; CourtListener API v4 (blocked); indexed-web litigation/name sweeps; sister-ship NavSource entries [other_primary]
- Locator
- search_ledger rows sl-uss-gwinnett-ag92-01 through sl-uss-gwinnett-ag92-12
- 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 Gwinnett / AK-185 / AG-92 / AVS-5 / MC hull 2116 / M/V Sainte Helene was found in the public sources searched (see search_ledger). CourtListener systematic sweeps were rate-limit blocked on the access date; indexed-web searching surfaced only Gwinnett County, GA name collisions (unrelated EtO/premises litigation) and law-firm marketing-list mentions, neither qualifying.
- 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-built, 1945-converted auxiliary is era-consistent with asbestos-containing materials. The CourtListener block leaves litigation coverage incomplete (see gaps); a future run should re-execute the opinion/docket sweeps. Does not establish presence or absence; does not establish or defeat any exposure claim or legal eligibility.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-gwinnett-ag92-11
-
[12]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 (MARAD records) [other_primary]
- Locator
- RG 178 (USMC contract/construction records); RG 19 (BuShips); RG 24 (deck logs); RG 357 (MARAD custody/disposal)
- Finding type
- historical_record
- Finding
- Archival leads (not retrieved - requires research-room or reproduction order; no spend authorized): Navy deck logs for USS Gwinnett 1945-46 (RG 24, NARA College Park - the commissioned window Apr 1945-Feb 1946 incl. Gulf shakedown and the transit to San Francisco); BuShips records incl. the C1-M-AV1-to-AVS conversion correspondence and Port Houston Iron Works outfitting specifications (RG 19); Maritime Commission contract file for MC hull 2116 incl. Walter Butler construction specifications (RG 178); MARAD/NDRF custody and French-sale file (RG 357 - would follow the Transfer Order C-5553 documented in this record).
- Verification
- unverified
- Role
- archival_lead
- Documentation level
- context_only
- Accessed
- 2026-09-20
- Study period
- 1943-1947 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-gwinnett-ag92-12
