Evidence
6 evidence entries recorded; each entry has a stable permalink (#ev-1 … #ev-6).
-
[1]Naval History and Heritage Command, Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, John Francis Burnes (Destroyer No. 299) [nhhc_danfs]
- Locator
- Specifications block and service narrative
- Finding type
- vessel_history
- Finding
- DANFS identifies DD-299 as a Clemson-class destroyer, formerly named Swasey. Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation laid her down at San Francisco on 4 July 1918; she launched 10 November 1918 and commissioned 1 May 1920. DANFS lists complement 95. She operated principally from San Diego, made a 1925 Pacific cruise, conducted reserve training cruises in 1928 and 1929, decommissioned 25 February 1930, and was sold for scrap metal 10 June 1931.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- supporting
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-27
- Limitations
- Historical identity, service, and disposition only. DANFS does not identify insulating materials, asbestos content, individual exposure, or a crew member's work location.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-john-francis-burnes-dd299-01
-
[2]Naval History and Heritage Command, Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, Swasey I (Destroyer No. 273) [nhhc_danfs]
- Locator
- Naming paragraph preceding Swasey I specifications
- Finding type
- historical_record
- Finding
- The NHHC Swasey entry states that the name Swasey was assigned to Destroyer No. 299 on 1 August 1918, transferred to Destroyer No. 273 on 1 October 1918, and that No. 299 was renamed John Francis Burnes on 18 October 1918. Swasey (DD-273) is a separate hull.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- correction
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-27
- Limitations
- Resolves the precommissioning name transfer; records concerning commissioned Swasey (DD-273) cannot be attributed to DD-299. No asbestos evidence.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-john-francis-burnes-dd299-02
-
[3]Naval History and Heritage Command photograph NH 82564, Destroyers moored together at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, circa 1925 [other_primary]
- Locator
- NH 82564 catalog description
- Finding type
- historical_record
- Finding
- An NHHC photograph caption identifies USS John Francis Burnes (DD-299) among destroyers moored together at Pearl Harbor circa 1925.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- context
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-27
- Limitations
- Photographic identity and approximate location only; exterior photograph does not show machinery materials or asbestos.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-john-francis-burnes-dd299-03
-
[4]The Official U.S. Bulletin, 8 January 1919, Notice of Proposed Purchases for the United States Navy [other_primary]
- Locator
- PDF page 32, heat-insulating material table, Navy notice dated 31 December 1918
- Finding type
- asbestos_application
- Finding
- A Navy Bureau of Supplies and Accounts proposed-purchase notice dated 31 December 1918 lists asbestos felting, millboard, rope packing, and paper among Navy materials being solicited during DD-299's construction period.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- context
- Documentation level
- class_or_era
- Accessed
- 2026-09-27
- Limitations
- Navy-wide bid notice, not a purchase, delivery, ship specification, or installation record. It does not name DD-299 or the Clemson class and cannot establish any asbestos material aboard this hull or exposure of its crew.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-john-francis-burnes-dd299-04
-
[5]National Archives, Researching Asbestos aboard U.S. Naval Vessels up through 1961 [other_primary]
- Locator
- General Information Books, Specification Files, and Cartographic Branch sections (RG 19 P 9; UD 1027-B; 19-Hull/S39)
- Finding type
- historical_record
- Finding
- NARA identifies RG 19 destroyer general information books, ship specifications covering 1887-1940, and ship engineering drawings as potential avenues for identifying insulation and lagging; the guide notes that general series descriptions are not direct evidence of asbestos on a particular ship.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- archival_lead
- Documentation level
- context_only
- Accessed
- 2026-09-27
- Limitations
- NARA lists record series, not a DD-299 item. No DD-299 GIB, specification, insulation drawing, or laboratory analysis was obtained; applicability and contents remain unknown.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-john-francis-burnes-dd299-05
-
[6]Batch 3291 search ledger, NHHC and NARA searches [other_primary]
- Locator
- search_ledger rows sl-uss-john-francis-burnes-dd299-01 through -05
- Finding type
- historical_record
- Finding
- No ship-specific asbestos survey, installation record, abatement record, or material analysis for DD-299 was located in the public NHHC and NARA sources searched for this batch.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- negative_finding
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-27
- Limitations
- A bounded negative search result, not proof that asbestos was absent. Undigitized ship specifications and plans remain unreviewed; no personal exposure or legal conclusion follows.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-john-francis-burnes-dd299-06