Evidence
14 evidence entries recorded; each entry has a stable permalink (#ev-1 … #ev-14).
-
[1]DANFS, Liberty III (AGTR-5), Naval History and Heritage Command; live page 404 on 2026-09-20, verbatim Wayback capture 2025-12-08 used [nhhc_danfs]
- Locator
- DANFS Liberty III (AGTR-5) entry - specifications line and full service narrative (log-level detail)
- Finding type
- vessel_history
- Finding
- DANFS Liberty III (AGTR-5): laid down 1945-02-23 at Portland, OR by Oregon Shipbuilding Corp. under Maritime Commission contract (MCV hull 182) as Simmons Victory; launched 1945-04-06 (sponsor Mrs. Kenneth L. Cooper); delivered to WSA 1945-05-04 and operated by Coastwise (Pacific Far East) Line as a Fleet Issue Ship; WWII ammunition lift to Leyte Gulf/Eniwetok Oct 1945; disarmed New York 1946-01-09; postwar operators Waterman Steamship (1946-48), A. L. Burbank (1948), A. H. Bull (1950-51); nine MSTS Korea voyages 1950-11-18 to 1952-12-23; reserve fleet Hudson River 1953; States Marine Corp. charter 1957; NDRF Olympia, WA 1958-06-11. Navy contact with MARAD 1962-02-14; permanent transfer 1963-03-25; converted at Willamette Iron & Steel Corp., Portland; renamed Liberty / AG-168 on 1963-06-08; reclassified AGTR-5 1964-04-01; commissioned Puget Sound Navy Yard 1964-12-30 (Cmdr. Daniel T. Wieland, Jr.). Restricted availability Norfolk Naval Shipyard Feb-May 1965; ServRon 8 technical-research deployments off West Africa 1965-1967; attacked by Israeli aircraft and motor torpedo boats 1967-06-08 off Sinai; interim repairs Malta; reached Little Creek 1967-07-29; inactivated / out of commission in reserve 1968-06-28 at Southgate Annex NNSY; stricken from NVR 1970-06-01; transferred to MARAD and sold to Boston Metals Co. 1970-11-23; delivered to purchaser 1970-12-17; broken up for scrap. DANFS specs line: dp. 7,725 (light); l. 455'3" oa; b. 62' (molded); depth 39'0"; dr. 23'; s. 16 k.; cpl. 358; a. 4 .50-cal MG; cl. Belmont; T. V2-S-AP3.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- supporting
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-20
- Study period
- 1945-1970
- Population
- Crew (358 complement); Armed Guard detachment in WWII merchant configuration
- Limitations
- Authoritative for identity, designations, yard periods, service history, casualties, and disposal. Contains no asbestos or insulation-material content; this row supports no asbestos claim. Live NHHC URL returned 404 on 2026-09-20 (standing NHHC link rot); the Wayback capture of the official page is cited. Date conflicts with secondary sources (commissioning, striking, disposal) carried in gaps.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-liberty-ag168-01
-
[2]U.S. Maritime Administration, ShipHistory database - SIMMONS VICTORY (Detail 4577) and LIBERTY AGTR-5 (Detail 6022), incl. digitized status cards [marad_nrc]
- Locator
- ShipHistory Detail 4577 and 6022 - identity block, milestone table, status card images
- Finding type
- vessel_history
- Finding
- MARAD ShipHistory records: SIMMONS VICTORY (Detail 4577) - U.S. Official No. 247689, MARAD type VC2-S-AP3, built 1945 by Oregon Shipbuilding Company, 455 ft x 62 ft, 7,606 gross tons; fate Sold-Scrap; digitized status cards exist. LIBERTY (AGTR-5) (Detail 6022) - same hull under Navy identity, Naval Auxiliary / AGTR Auxiliary General Technical Research; fate Sold-Scrap; digitized status cards exist. The two records are cross-linked in the database's vessel-name history.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- supporting
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-20
- Study period
- 1945-1970
- Limitations
- Authoritative for government custody milestones, type designation (VC2-S-AP3), and identity linkage between the merchant and Navy records. The Detail 4577 milestone table is internally garbled (an 'Acquisition 5/28/1948' row is annotated 'Became USS LIBERTY,AGTR 5' though the Navy acquisition was 1963) - milestone rows not relied on; the identity/type/fate fields are used. Status cards are custody/milestone data only; no asbestos, materials, or condition-survey information.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-liberty-ag168-02
-
[3]shipscribe.com AGTR-4 class page - SCB Project No. 192B characteristics and class notes compiled from NARA records (Stephen S. Roberts, 2021) [other_primary]
- Locator
- shipscribe AGTR class page - construction/disposition tables and class notes
- Finding type
- vessel_history
- Finding
- SCB-derived class record (shipscribe transcription of NARA-sourced SCB Project 192B data): Belmont class (AGTR 4-5) were FY1963 conversions of MC VC2-S-AP3 Victory hulls; design data 7,190 t light / 10,680 t full, 455' x 62' x 24', geared steam turbines 8,500 HP from 2 boilers (465 psi/750 deg F), 1 screw, 17 kts design; designed accommodations 20 officers/20 CPOs/297 enlisted. Liberty: acquired 1963-03-25, converted by Willamette Iron and SB Co., Portland; commissioned 1964-12-30; attacked off Sinai 1967-06-08; hull repaired at Malta; returned to US 1967-07-29; began deactivation 1968-03-04; decommissioned 1968-06-28; strike 1970-06-01; disposal 1970-11-23; to buyer 1970-12-17. Class notes record the 1962-10-11 Navy request to MARAD reserving SIMMONS VICTORY and IRAN VICTORY (west coast) and BINGHAMTON VICTORY and FURMAN VICTORY (east coast) for AGTR conversion, and TRSSCOMM (moon-relay) installation in Liberty in 1967 - disabled in the attack.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- context
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-20
- Study period
- 1962-1970
- Population
- Conversion yard workers (Willamette); outfitting crew (PSNY)
- Limitations
- Expert secondary transcription of SCB/NARA design data; corroborates DANFS dates and documents conversion scope (new research-department accommodations, TRSSCOMM antenna installation 1967) - i.e., documented reconfiguration of the hull. Contains no asbestos or insulation-material statement; conversion materials scope is not public and no hull-level material content is established.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-liberty-ag168-03
-
[4]NHHC Online Library USS Liberty (AGTR-5) page (Naval Historical Center content via ibiblio mirror); FRUS 1964-1968 Vol. XIX docs 234, 284, 324 (Office of the Historian, history.state.gov); DANFS attack narrative [other_primary]
- Locator
- NHHC OL page narrative; FRUS XIX d234/d284/d324; DANFS entry attack and disposal sections
- Finding type
- vessel_history
- Finding
- Documented battle-damage event aboard this hull: on 8 June 1967, in international waters off the Sinai Peninsula (approx. 25 nmi NE of nearest land, near El Arish), Israeli Mirage and Super Mystere jets made multiple strafing/rocket passes, followed by an attack by three motor torpedo boats (MTB Division 914) that launched five torpedoes; one struck the starboard side forward of the superstructure, devastating the research spaces; fires included a gasoline fire on the 01 level; 34 men killed, 171 wounded. Ship proceeded under own power; escorted to Valletta, Malta (arrived 6-14) by Davis (DD-937), Massey (DD-778), and Papago (ATF-160); temporary repairs at Malta; departed 7-16, arrived Little Creek 7-29. A Navy Court of Inquiry (RADM Isaac C. Kidd, Jr., president; convened by ADM John S. McCain, Jr.) heard 19 witnesses / 49 exhibits; public summary released 1967-06-28; Board of Inspection and Survey (RADM Bulkeley) aboard 8-14 to 8-17. Israel apologized asserting mistaken identity. Damage never repaired - led to inactivation and scrapping.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- context
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-20
- Study period
- 1967-06-08 to 1968-06-28
- Population
- Crew aboard during attack (34 KIA, 171 WIA); Malta repair workers; NNSY inactivation workers
- Limitations
- Documents a major material-disturbance event (explosive blast, fires, emergency damage control, foreign-yard interim repairs) aboard a 1945-built steam hull - but no source documents the material content disturbed; asbestos involvement is inference only, not a finding. Casualty figure carried as 34 KIA/171 WIA per the 2005 DoN letter and NavSource; NHHC OL text says 'nearly 170' wounded - minor variance noted in gaps. The Court of Inquiry record is damage/injury documentation, not materials documentation.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-liberty-ag168-04
-
[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 VC2-S-AP3 hull was built at Oregon Shipbuilding in 1945 - and that wartime demand drove unprecedented asbestos utilization aboard merchant-type hulls.
- Verification
- inferred
- Role
- supporting
- Documentation level
- class_or_era
- Accessed
- 2026-09-20
- Study period
- 1945 (construction); article 1987
- Population
- Oregon Shipbuilding construction trades (1945); merchant engine crew
- Limitations
- Program/era-level scholarly documentation of asbestos use in WWII shipbuilding generally; does not name this vessel and does not establish that asbestos was aboard this hull, nor quantity, location, condition, exposure, or causation. Asbestos presence aboard is era inference, not ship-proven.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-liberty-ag168-05
-
[6]Mangold/Beckett/Bessmer PSNS industrial-hygiene study DTIC AD0715808 (1970); peer-reviewed follow-up PMID 1065583; visual historical review PMID 19235622 [other_primary]
- Locator
- DTIC AD0715808 citation; PubMed 1065583 and 19235622 abstracts
- Finding type
- gov_survey
- Finding
- Documented asbestos exposure conditions at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, where this hull was commissioned and completed conversion outfitting December 1964 - February 1965: a Navy industrial-hygiene study (DTIC AD0715808, 1970) found 40-150 fibers/cm3 during rip-out operations and pulmonary abnormalities in 21% of surveyed workers; the peer-reviewed follow-up (PMID 1065583) documents amosite and chrysotile exposure during ship overhaul, rip-out, and installation work including preformed magnesia block insulation (~15% asbestos), asbestos cements, and asbestos cloth; a peer-reviewed visual historical review (PMID 19235622) covers shipyard exposure conditions circa 1940-1965, spanning this hull's outfitting period.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- context
- Documentation level
- class_or_era
- Accessed
- 2026-09-20
- Study period
- 1940-1965 (documented window); hull on site Dec 1964 - Feb 1965
- Population
- Puget Sound NSY trades (pipe coverers, insulators, boilermakers, shipfitters, machinists, welders)
- Limitations
- Yard-level documentation, not a hull record: it establishes asbestos conditions at the yard during the era when this hull was there for commissioning/outfitting (Dec 1964 - Feb 1965), but does not establish what insulation was installed, disturbed, or removed aboard this specific hull, nor any individual exposure.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-liberty-ag168-06
-
[7]Albina Engine & Machine v. Director, OWCP [McAllister], 627 F.3d 1293 (9th Cir. 2010); DOL BRB decisions 04-0887 and 06-0646 (McAllister v. Lockheed Shipbuilding) [court_record]
- Locator
- 627 F.3d 1293 (9th Cir., decided 2010-12-10); BRB 06-0646 caption and facts
- Finding type
- litigation_documented
- Finding
- Published appellate litigation documents asbestos exposure at Willamette Iron & Steel Co. (WISCO) of Portland, the yard that converted this hull (1963-1964): in Albina Engine & Machine v. Director, OWCP (McAllister), 627 F.3d 1293 (9th Cir. 2010), all parties stipulated that shipyard carpenter James McAllister's death was due to mesothelioma caused by exposure to asbestos during employment at three Portland/Seattle shipyards including WISCO (1956-1960); DOL Benefits Review Board decisions in the same claim (BRB 04-0887; 06-0646) list Willamette Iron and Steel Company as employer/carrier respondent.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- context
- Documentation level
- class_or_era
- Accessed
- 2026-09-20
- Study period
- 1956-1960 (exposure); 2010 (opinion)
- Population
- Willamette Iron & Steel shipyard workers (1950s era documented)
- Limitations
- Yard-level exposure finding, not hull-specific: the stipulated exposure period (1956-1960) predates this hull's 1963-64 conversion at the same yard; nothing in the litigation names Simmons Victory/Liberty or finds asbestos conditions aboard it. Documents that the conversion yard was an asbestos-exposure site in the era, no more.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-liberty-ag168-07
-
[8]Lineaweaver v. Plant Insulation Co., 31 Cal. App. 4th 1409, 37 Cal. Rptr. 2d 902 (1995) [court_record]
- Locator
- Opinion discussion of Fibreboard Pabco distribution/use sites
- Finding type
- litigation_product_id
- Finding
- A published California appellate opinion documents that 'Pabco was used only as fill-in at Willamette in the 1960s and 1970s' - Pabco (Fibreboard) asbestos pipe insulation used on ships at the Willamette yard in the 1960s-70s, a period overlapping this hull's 1963-64 conversion at Willamette Iron and Steel Co., Portland.
- Verification
- partial
- Role
- context
- Documentation level
- class_or_era
- Accessed
- 2026-09-20
- Study period
- 1960s-1970s (product use); 1995 (opinion)
- Population
- Willamette yard insulators (1960s-1970s)
- Limitations
- Identity caveat (carried from shipyards.json, which flags this row disputed): the opinion names only 'Willamette Shipyard' with no corporate name or state; identifying it as Willamette Iron & Steel of Portland - this hull's conversion yard - is an inference the source does not make. Even accepting the identification, the row is yard-level: it does not establish Pabco or any asbestos was installed aboard this hull during conversion.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-liberty-ag168-08
-
[9]NAVFAC Norfolk NSY Site Descriptions (1927 Landfill; Paradise Creek) + EPA Superfund site VA1170024813 record [other_primary]
- Locator
- NAVFAC Norfolk NSY site descriptions; EPA cumulis site profile VA1170024813
- Finding type
- environmental_record
- Finding
- Documented asbestos handling at Norfolk Naval Shipyard, where this hull underwent a restricted availability February-May 1965 and was inactivated at the yard's Southgate Annex / Naval Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility in 1968: NAVFAC official site descriptions for EPA Superfund site VA1170024813 confirm asbestos-containing materials were disposed at the yard's Paradise Creek disposal area 1945-1983 and abrasive blast material and asbestos at the 1927 Landfill; the disposal windows span this hull's 1965 availability and 1968 inactivation.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- context
- Documentation level
- class_or_era
- Accessed
- 2026-09-20
- Study period
- 1945-1983 (disposal window); hull on site 1965 and 1967-68
- Population
- Norfolk NSY workers (yard-wide)
- Limitations
- Yard-level environmental record, not a hull record: establishes that asbestos waste was generated and disposed at Norfolk NSY across the period of this hull's availabilities, but does not establish that material was removed from or installed on this hull, nor any exposure aboard it.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-liberty-ag168-09
-
[10]In re Waterman S.S. Corp. (Waterman S.S. Corp. v. Aguiar), 141 B.R. 552 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. 1992); 157 B.R. 220 (S.D.N.Y. 1993); 200 B.R. 770 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. 1996) [court_record]
- Locator
- 141 B.R. 552 and 200 B.R. 770 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y.); 157 B.R. 220 (S.D.N.Y. 1993) - party caption and holdings
- Finding type
- litigation_documented
- Finding
- Operator-level asbestos litigation context: In re Waterman S.S. Corp. (Waterman S.S. Corp. v. Aguiar), 141 B.R. 552 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. 1992), aff'd in part/remanded 157 B.R. 220 (S.D.N.Y. 1993), on remand 200 B.R. 770 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. 1996) - Waterman Steamship Corp., this hull's documented break-bulk charterer (Dec 1946) and general agent (1950-51), entered Chapter 11 in December 1983 carrying known asbestos-exposure claims by former seamen on its vessels; the published litigation addresses whether those asbestos claims survived confirmation.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- context
- Documentation level
- class_or_era
- Accessed
- 2026-09-20
- Study period
- 1983-1996 (litigation); 1946-1951 (operator period aboard this hull)
- Population
- Merchant mariners on Waterman-operated vessels (operator-level context)
- Limitations
- Names the hull's postwar operator, not the hull: the seamen's exposures are not tied to Simmons Victory, and the rulings make no finding about conditions aboard this vessel. Merchant-fleet asbestos litigation proceeded under owner/operator names, so hull-name searches structurally undercount the litigation surface. CourtListener API was rate-limited at research time; reporter citations verified across public mirrors (Justia).
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-liberty-ag168-10
-
[11]Six v. United States, 71 Fed. Cl. 671 (2006); 79 Fed. Cl. 581 (2007); 80 Fed. Cl. 694 (2008) (No. 04-1727 C); CourtListener docket 4197565 [court_record]
- Locator
- Fed. Cl. reporter citations and CourtListener docket page
- Finding type
- litigation_documented
- Finding
- Genuine ship-name federal litigation, non-asbestos: Six v. United States, No. 04-1727 C (Fed. Cl.) - Harold E. Six, Sr., a survivor of the 8 June 1967 torpedo attack aboard this ship, litigated correction of his naval records for PTSD disability retirement: 71 Fed. Cl. 671 (2006) (remand to BCNR), 79 Fed. Cl. 581 (2007) (judgment for defendant on the administrative record), 80 Fed. Cl. 694 (2008) (reconsideration denied). The opinions discuss the attack and the Court of Inquiry at length.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- context
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-20
- Study period
- 2004-2008 (litigation); 1967-1973 (service period at issue)
- Population
- USS Liberty survivor (Harold E. Six, Sr.)
- Limitations
- Litigation-stage classification: military-records/PTSD litigation naming this hull - NOT an asbestos matter; it documents nothing about materials or exposure aboard the ship. The opinions' factual recitations about the 1967 attack are litigation background, not adjudicated findings about shipboard conditions. CourtListener API and web UI were rate-limited/blocked at research time; citations verified via reporter citations on public mirrors and the CL volume index.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-liberty-ag168-11
-
[12]Board of Veterans' Appeals, Citation Nr. 0322020 (docket 98-17 347, 2003-09-02); Citation Nr. 1827574 (docket 11-21 469, 2018-05-01) [court_record]
- Locator
- BVA decision texts - 0322020 findings of fact (ship named); 1827574 merits analysis ('asbestos' claim tied to USS AMERICA)
- Finding type
- litigation_documented
- Finding
- Ship-name hits in VA Board of Veterans' Appeals decisions, classified: (a) Citation 0322020 (decided 2003-09-02) - service connection for inflammatory bowel disease granted to a communication technician aboard USS Liberty (AGTR-5) during the 8 June 1967 attack; non-asbestos. (b) Citation 1827574 (decided 2018-05-01) - a denied endocrine-disorder claim asserting chemical AND asbestos exposure aboard USS AMERICA (CV-66) during the Liberty response; USS Liberty is mentioned only as the attacked ship, not the alleged exposure vessel.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- correction
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-20
- Study period
- 2003 and 2018 decisions
- Population
- USS Liberty crewman (CT, 1965-1969) in 0322020; USS America crewman in 1827574
- Limitations
- Prevents misattribution: the 2018 decision is the only located decision pairing this ship's name with the word 'asbestos,' but the alleged exposure was aboard USS America, not Liberty - it is not a Liberty asbestos claim and documents nothing about materials aboard this hull. Administrative decisions; 0322020 granted service connection (non-asbestos disease), 1827574 denied.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-liberty-ag168-12
-
[13]Batch-654 search ledger (this record): DANFS/NHHC (Wayback), MARAD ShipHistory 4577/6022, shipscribe SCB-192B, CourtListener (throttled) + indexed opinion search, VA BVA index, NavSource archive, shipyards.json yard records [other_primary]
- Locator
- search_ledger rows sl-uss-liberty-ag168-01 through sl-uss-liberty-ag168-10
- Finding type
- historical_record
- Finding
- No qualifying ship-specific asbestos record located: no asbestos survey, abatement contract, hazmat disclosure, or adjudicated asbestos case naming USS Liberty, AG-168, AGTR-5, or SS Simmons Victory was found in the public sources searched (see search_ledger). The hull was scrapped in 1970-71, before asbestos-survey regimes existed, so no present-day ACM record can exist.
- 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 1945 steam hull with documented conversion and yard periods is era-consistent with extensive ACM, and her 1963-64 conversion, 1965 availability, and 1967 battle damage all occurred inside documented asbestos-era conditions. That is inference, not a ship-specific finding. Does not establish or defeat any exposure claim or legal eligibility. CourtListener direct search was rate-limited; indexed searches used instead - residual litigation-search gap logged.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-liberty-ag168-13
-
[14]NARA FOIA response 26-27749 (via MuckRock request 'Cost to Acquire SS Simmons Victory and to Convert it to the USS Liberty (AGTR-5)'); Hoover Institution Archives finding aid for U.S. Navy Liberty (Ship) Court of Inquiry records, 1967; FRUS XIX d324 footnote (RG 330 FRC 72 A 2468) [other_primary]
- Locator
- MuckRock FOIA 26-27749 response text; OAC finding aid ark:/13030/kt4p30341f; FRUS d324 n.2
- Finding type
- historical_record
- Finding
- Archival leads (not retrieved - no box-level survey authorized): a 2026 NARA FOIA response (case 26-27749, via MuckRock) located Ship Departure Reports in RG 344 (NAVSEA), Entry UD-04W 2, file 'AGTR 5' (1963-1968), and identified RG 19 Bureau of Ships correspondence as potentially relevant - direct hull-level conversion/departure records. Additional mapped paths: RG 24 deck logs (commissioned period), RG 178/248 (MC/WSA merchant-era records), and the Court of Inquiry record (Hoover Institution Archives finding aid OAC kt4p30341f; WNRC RG 330 OSD Files FRC 72 A 2468 per FRUS note).
- Verification
- unverified
- Role
- archival_lead
- Documentation level
- context_only
- Accessed
- 2026-09-20
- Study period
- 1963-1968 (record coverage)
- Limitations
- Records existence and identifiers only - the FOIA response confirms record groups/entries exist for this hull's 1963-68 period but the records were not surveyed and their content is unknown; nothing in this row is an asbestos finding or a materials statement.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-liberty-ag168-14