USS Lancaster (AK-193)

Evidence

7 evidence entries recorded; each entry has a stable permalink (#ev-1 … #ev-7).

1. [1]Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS), 'Lancaster III (AK-193)' entry, NHHC - live page 404s; text verified via Wayback Machine capture 2012-10-26 of the prior canonical URL (history.navy.mil/danfs/l3/lancaster-iii.htm) [nhhc_danfs]

   Locator

   DANFS 'Lancaster III (AK-193)' entry, full text (characteristic line + one paragraph); Wayback capture https://web.archive.org/web/20121026114915/http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/l3/lancaster-iii.htm; print-edition transcription mirror https://losthistory.net/hazegray/danfs/auxil/ak193.txt (DANFS 1969 Vol. 4 p.43)

   Finding type

   vessel_history

   Finding

   DANFS: 'The third Lancaster (AK-193), ex-MC Hull 2124, was laid down 1 July 1944 by Walter Butler Shipbuilding Inc., Superior, Wis.; launched the same year; acquired by the Navy 21 September 1945; and commissioned the same day. The end of World War II reduced the need for cargo ships, and Lancaster decommissioned 23 November 1945 and was returned to WSA the same day.' DANFS characteristic line: dp. 2,307; l. 338'7"; b. 50'; dr. 21'1"; s. 12 k.; cpl. 85; a. 1 3", 6 20mm.; cl. Alamosa; T. C1-M-AV1. Namesake (print edition header): 'A city in southeastern Pennsylvania.' (Note: the hazegray transcription of the 1969 print edition, Vol. 4 p.43, reads 'decommissioned 23 November 1946' - a transcription or print typo; the NHHC web edition reads 1945, consistent with the MARAD custody card, NavSource, and Shipscribe.)

   Verification

   verified

   Role

   supporting

   Documentation level

   ship_specific

   Accessed

   2026-09-21

   Study period

   1944-1945

   Population

   Ship's crew (cpl. 85 per DANFS), September-November 1945

   Limitations

   Short-form official entry; contains no materials, insulation, or asbestos information. Live NHHC DANFS page returned 404 on 2026-09-21 (standing NHHC link-rot condition per BATCH-01); content verified against the 2012-10-26 Wayback capture of the prior canonical URL. DANFS gives no launch date beyond 'the same year' and no strike date.

   Atlas source

   true

   Evidence ID

   ev-uss-lancaster-ak193-01

2. [2]NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive - USS Lancaster (AK-193) page (chronology, specification block, merchant-service list, awards) [other_primary]

   Locator

   NavSource page 130193.htm: header chronology, Merchant Service list, Awards ribbon block, Specifications block

   Finding type

   vessel_history

   Finding

   NavSource compiled record: laid down 1 July 1944 as MV Coastal Ringleader (MC type C1-M-AV1, MC hull 2124) at Walter Butler Shipbuilders, Inc., Superior, WI; launched, date unknown; acquired by the Navy 21 September 1945 and commissioned USS Lancaster (AK-193) the same day; decommissioned 23 November 1945 and transferred to the Maritime Commission at Galveston, TX the same day, name reverting to MV Coastal Ringleader; struck from the Naval Register, date unknown. Merchant service listed: GAA to Polarus SS Co. 23 November 1945; chartered to New York and Puerto Rico SS Co. 25 June 1946; chartered to United Fruit Co. 7 January 1948; laid up NDRF Mobile, AL group 25 May 1948; sold foreign, Brazil, 13 July 1956, delivered 2 October 1956, reflagged Brazil. Awards block: American Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal. Radio call sign NEOE. Specification block: 2,382 t. light / 7,450 t. full; 338'6" x 50' x 29'2" limiting; 11.5 kts; complement 15 officers + 70 enlisted; cargo 3,945 DWT, 227,730 cu ft non-refrigerated + 9,830 cu ft refrigerated; fuel diesel 6,300 bbls; armament 1 x 3"/50 DP + 6 x 20mm AA; propulsion 1 Nordberg Diesel TSM6, two diesel-drive 250 kW generators, single screw, 1,750 shp. No images of the ship are held ('There are no images of USS Lancaster (AK-193) available at NavSource'); no war-diary scan linked.

   Verification

   verified

   Role

   supporting

   Documentation level

   ship_specific

   Accessed

   2026-09-21

   Study period

   1944-1956

   Population

   Ship's crew; merchant crews under successive operators 1945-1948

   Limitations

   Volunteer-compiled secondary record, not a primary document - merchant-chain dates agree with the MARAD custody cards and ledger (ev-04) and are treated as corroborated, except the lay-up date (NavSource 25 May 1948 vs card/Shipscribe 28 May 1948 - logged in gaps). Specification-block figures (draft, DWT, displacement) differ from DANFS/MARAD card figures and are carried with discrepancies logged in gaps. Contains no asbestos or materials information. 'Struck - date unknown' is NavSource's framing; Shipscribe supplies 5 December 1945 (ev-03). 'Final Disposition, fate known' on the page is a template artifact - Shipscribe gives hulked 1975/deleted 1992.

   Atlas source

   true

   Evidence ID

   ev-uss-lancaster-ak193-02

3. [3]Shipscribe (Stephen S. Roberts), U.S. Navy Auxiliary Ships - ALAMOSA (AK-156) class page, construction, disposition, and notes tables [other_primary]

   Locator

   ALAMOSA (AK-156) class page: header data block, construction table row AK-193, disposition table row AK-193, notes column for hull 2124

   Finding type

   vessel_history

   Finding

   Class compilation from official Navy/MC data: AK-193 LANCASTER, MC hull 2124, keel laid 1 July 1944 at Walter Butler SB, Superior; launched 15 December 1944; Navy acquisition 21 September 1945; commissioned 21 September 1945. Disposition table: decommissioned 23 November 1945; struck 5 December 1945; disposed to MC 23 November 1945; to buyer 13 July 1956. Notes row for hull 2124: 'Delivered to MC in Great Lakes 4 Apr 45 and arrived at New Orleans 1 Jun 45. Reassembled by Port Houston IW, Houston, Texas and delivered to MC and Navy 21 Sep 45. No Navy operational service. Merc. COASTAL RINGLEADER 1945, to NDRF 28 May 48. Merc. RIO PIANCO (Brazilian) 1956 (to buyer 2 Oct 56). Hulked 1975, deleted 1992.' Class data (C1-M-AV1): 2,474 t light / 7,450 t limiting; 338.5 ft oa / 320.0 ft wl x 50.0 ft x 21.1 ft; complement 69 (1944); 11.5 kts; Nordberg TSM6 diesel, 1,750 hp, single screw; armament 1-3"/50 + 6-20mm.

   Verification

   verified

   Role

   supporting

   Documentation level

   ship_specific

   Accessed

   2026-09-21

   Study period

   1944-1992

   Population

   Construction trades (Walter Butler, Superior WI; Port Houston Iron Works, Houston TX), 1944-45

   Limitations

   Secondary compilation reproducing official construction/disposal data - the launch date (15 Dec 44), strike date (5 Dec 45), 'No Navy operational service' assessment, and the hulked-1975/deleted-1992 fate are shipscribe-only details not in DANFS; treated as authoritative-compiled, not independently verified to the underlying MC file. Contains no asbestos or materials information.

   Atlas source

   true

   Evidence ID

   ev-uss-lancaster-ak193-03

4. [4]U.S. Maritime Administration, ShipHistory database - COASTAL RINGLEADER, Detail 1050, incl. three digitized vessel status cards and the COASTAL RINGLEADER.pdf custody ledger (O/N 248957) [marad_nrc]

   Locator

   ShipHistory Detail 1050 characteristics block; status-card scans /cards/1HF_01.png (merchant card), /cards/1050_AF.jpg (sale card), /cards/1050_1913AF.jpg (Reserve Fleet card); custody ledger /documents/aaddbec0-2d92-4c66-bb2f-1c910f3cfbd5.pdf

   Finding type

   vessel_history

   Finding

   MARAD ShipHistory record: COASTAL RINGLEADER, built 1945 by Walter Butler Shipbuilders, MARAD type C1-M-AV1, length 338.50 ft, beam 50.00 ft, gross 3,805 / net 2,123 tons, immersion (summer) 8,370 tons, Official No. 248957, fate 'Sold - Foreign Flag Op.' Merchant-side status card (O/N 248957, former name 'LANCASTER' entered by hand): MC Hull No. 2124 built by Walter Butler SB, Inc. at Superior, Wisc., completed 4-4-45; 'Basis to W.S.A. 11-23-45 1:00PM CST @ Galveston, Texas from Navy Dept. LB'; then Polarus SS Co. GAA at Galveston 11-23-45 1:00PM CST; New York & Porto Rico SS Co. Int.BB at New York 6-25-46 2:00PM EDT; same operator MC/BB at New York 9-24-46 2:30PM EDT; United Fruit Co. BB at New York 1-7-48 5PM EST; Reserve Fleet, Mobile, Ala. 5-28-48 1:30PM; 'Sold Foreign (Brazil) (Vessel to remain in custody of Reserve Fleet until possession)' Purch at Mobile 7-13-56 2:30PM EDST; 'Physical deliv. from Mobile R.F. on 10-2-56, 9:00am CST.' Sale card (AF): 'RIO PIANCO Brazilian Name - Sold to Companhia Nacional de Navegacao Costeira, Patrimonio Nacional a Brazilian Entity for $693,682. under PL496, 83rd Congress, approved 7-15-54; Date of Sale: 7-13-56; Terms: Mortgage'; remarks 'Sold to Brazilian Govt on condition that ship be operated only in coastwise trade of Brazil'; card figures: built 9/1945; dimensions 321'4" x 50' x 29'; gross 3,805; DWT 5,995; displ 8,370; owner USMC; location Mobile Res. Fleet. Reserve Fleet card: fleet Mobile S-3, type C1-M-AV1, built Walter Butler 1945, entered fleet 5-28-48 1:30 PM, hull MC 2124, fuel oil at entry 1,480 bbls diesel, ships-papers note 'Public Law 496, 83rd Congress - 12 C1-M-AV1 Sold to Brazil', 'Date withdrawn from fleet Oct.2,1956 - 0900 hrs CST, delivered to Strachan Shipping - Agent for Brazil.' Custody-ledger PDF (COASTAL RINGLEADER.pdf) records the same chain - Navy Dept./WSA to Polarus SS Co. (LB GAA, Galveston 11-23-45), Polarus/WSA to N.Y. & Porto Rico SS Co. (GAA/Int.BB, New York 6-25-46), N.Y.&P.R./USMC agreement-type change (Int.BB to MC/BB, New York 9-24-46), N.Y.&P.R. to United Fruit Co. (BB, New York 1-7-48), United Fruit to Reserve Fleet (BB LU, Mobile 5-28-48), Reserve Fleet to 'Gov't of Brazil' (LU/Pur.Sale, Mobile 7-13-56).

   Verification

   verified

   Role

   supporting

   Documentation level

   ship_specific

   Accessed

   2026-09-21

   Study period

   1945-1956 (carded custody chain); to 1975/1992 (fate era)

   Population

   Merchant crews under Polarus SS Co., New York & Porto Rico SS Co., and United Fruit Co., 1945-1948; NDRF custodial staff, Mobile, 1948-1956; Brazilian crews 1956-1975

   Limitations

   Authoritative for government custody milestones; handwritten card entries read as images, partially hand-annotated (the 'Former LANCASTER' name and an 'Agwilines, Inc.' operator entry struck through and replaced by N.Y. & Porto Rico SS Co.). Cards disagree in minor figures with each other and NavSource: DWT 5,010a (merchant card) vs 5,995 (sale card) vs 3,945 (NavSource); completed 4-4-45 (merchant card) vs built 9/1945 (sale card - likely the reassembly/Navy-delivery month); dimensions 321'4" (sale card, likely registered length) vs 338'5-7" overall. MARAD detail 'Vessel Name History' field lists only COASTAL RINGLEADER - LANCASTER and RIO PIANCO appear on the cards but not in that field. Contains no asbestos, materials, or condition-survey information; supports no asbestos claim.

   Atlas source

   true

   Evidence ID

   ev-uss-lancaster-ak193-04

5. [5]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 shipbuilding program under which this C1-M-AV1 Maritime Commission hull was built in 1944-45, and that wartime demand drove unprecedented asbestos utilization aboard U.S.-built hulls.

   Verification

   verified

   Role

   context

   Documentation level

   class_or_era

   Accessed

   2026-09-21

   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, does not establish that asbestos was or remains aboard this hull, and does not establish quantity, location, condition, exposure, or causation. This hull's diesel propulsion removes the steam-plant boiler-insulation inference applied to steam hulls.

   Atlas source

   true

   Evidence ID

   ev-uss-lancaster-ak193-05

6. [6]Batch-869 search ledger (this record): DANFS entry (archived NHHC page + print-edition transcription); NavSource index; Shipscribe class compilation; MARAD ShipHistory Detail 1050 + three status cards + custody-ledger PDF; CourtListener name/hull/merchant-name searches (opinions and RECAP); NVR check; NARA record-group guides [other_primary]

   Locator

   search_ledger rows sl-uss-lancaster-ak193-01 through sl-uss-lancaster-ak193-08

   Finding type

   historical_record

   Finding

   No qualifying ship-specific asbestos record located: no asbestos survey, abatement contract, hazmat disclosure, government claim, or docketed case naming USS Lancaster (AK-193), MC hull 2124, Coastal Ringleader, or Rio Pianco was found in the public sources searched (see search_ledger).

   Verification

   verified

   Role

   negative_finding

   Documentation level

   ship_specific

   Accessed

   2026-09-21

   Study period

   2026-09-21

   Limitations

   Absence of a located public record does not prove absence of asbestos aboard - a 1944-45 Maritime Commission hull is era-consistent with asbestos-containing materials in construction, and no survey was located either way. Does not establish presence or absence; does not establish or defeat any exposure claim or legal eligibility.

   Atlas source

   true

   Evidence ID

   ev-uss-lancaster-ak193-06

7. [7]NARA Guide to Federal Records: RG 38 (Office of the Chief of Naval Operations - war diaries/deck records), RG 24 (Navy deck logs), RG 178 (U.S. Maritime Commission construction records), plus MARAD/USMC disposition files [other_primary]

   Locator

   archives.gov Guide to Federal Records: RG 38, RG 24, RG 178 group pages; MARAD custody/sale file references on the status cards

   Finding type

   historical_record

   Finding

   Archival leads (not retrieved - require research-room or reproduction order; no spend authorized): (a) RG 38 WWII war diaries for the September-November 1945 commission period - whether a diary exists for this ~63-day commission is itself unverified; no scan is linked from the NavSource page. (b) RG 24 Navy deck logs for September-November 1945 (NARA, College Park). (c) RG 178 USMC Construction Division records for MC hull 2124 / Walter Butler contract, incl. outfitting specifications and the Port Houston Iron Works reassembly contract - the likeliest source for any materials itemization. (d) MARAD/USMC disposition file for the 1956 Companhia Nacional de Navegacao Costeira sale (the custody cards reference PL 496, 83rd Congress, approved 7-15-54, as authority for the foreign-flag transfer).

   Verification

   unverified

   Role

   archival_lead

   Documentation level

   context_only

   Accessed

   2026-09-21

   Study period

   1944-1956 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-lancaster-ak193-07