USS Liguria (AKS-15)

Evidence

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

1. [1]U.S. Maritime Commission, Instruction Manual for Operating and Maintaining 2500 H.P. Triple Expansion Marine Steam Engines, EC2-S-C1 Cargo Vessels (mirrored excerpt) [other_primary]

   Locator

   Mirrored excerpt, engine-cylinder insulation section

   Finding type

   asbestos_application

   Finding

   The U.S. Maritime Commission instruction manual for the EC2-S-C1 plant (the design of this vessel's hull) describes cylinder insulation of magnesia under sheet-iron lagging; insulation products of this era were commonly manufactured with asbestos fiber, and period steam-system gaskets, packing, and insulation felts commonly contained asbestos. Liguria's hull was built to the emergency USMC EC2-S-C1 specification during the period when the federal government had reserved asbestos supply for shipbuilding.

   Verification

   inferred

   Role

   supporting

   Documentation level

   class_or_era

   Accessed

   2026-09-22

   Study period

   1944-1945

   Population

   Construction trades (New England Shipbuilding, South Portland, 1944); conversion-yard workers (Simpson Yard, East Boston, 1944-45); Navy crew

   Limitations

   Class/design documentation, not a hull record - the manual names the type, not this vessel, and does not itself state 'asbestos' content (magnesia lagging of the era was typically asbestos-fiber-reinforced, but the manual text is silent on fiber). Liguria's conversion to AKS configuration at a Navy-directed yard may have altered insulation scope vs. the merchant design; asbestos presence aboard this hull is era inference, not ship-proven. Does not establish quantity, present-day presence (hull scrapped 1974), individual exposure, or causation.

   Atlas source

   true

   Evidence ID

   ev-uss-liguria-aks15-01

2. [2]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 program under which this EC2-S-C1 hull was mass-produced - and that wartime demand drove unprecedented asbestos utilization aboard merchant-type hulls.

   Verification

   verified

   Role

   context

   Documentation level

   class_or_era

   Accessed

   2026-09-22

   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 the EC2-S-C1 type or this vessel and does not establish that asbestos was aboard this hull, nor quantity, location, condition, exposure, or causation.

   Atlas source

   true

   Evidence ID

   ev-uss-liguria-aks15-02

3. [3]Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, 'Liguria (AKS-15)' (NHHC page, retrieved via Wayback Machine capture 2024-07-14; live NHHC URL returns 404 as of 2026-09-22) [nhhc_danfs]

   Locator

   NHHC DANFS page, Liguria entry (verbatim); canonical URL https://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/l/liguria.html

   Finding type

   vessel_history

   Finding

   DANFS (NHHC) entry for Liguria (AKS-15: dp. 5,244; l. 441'6"; b. 56'11"; dr. 28'4"; s. 12.5 k.; cpl. 195; a. 1 5", 1 3", 8 20mm.; cl. Acubens; T. EC2-S-C1): laid down under Maritime Commission contract by New England Shipbuilding Corp., South Portland, Maine, 19 September 1944; launched 1 November 1944; sponsored by Mrs. Harold Lothrop; acquired by the Navy 20 November 1944; commissioned 12 July 1945, Lt. Comdr. T. F. Marvin in command. Service: shakedown Chesapeake Bay; loaded stores at Naval Supply Depot, Bayonne, N.J.; sailed 7 September for the Pacific; 12 October helped rescue crew of a downed Army B-24, transferred flyers to PC-485; arrived Sasebo 31 October; then 6 months operating independently in the Yellow Sea for the occupation of South Korea and forces afloat along the northern China coast (Fusan, Jinsen, Tientsin, Tsingtao, Shanghai). Departed Shanghai 22 April 1946; arrived San Francisco 21 May; sailed for Pearl Harbor arriving 29 June; subsequently towed to San Francisco, stripped, transferred to the Maritime Commission 25 April 1947, placed in the NDRF; berthed at Suisun Bay into 1969.

   Verification

   verified

   Role

   supporting

   Documentation level

   ship_specific

   Accessed

   2026-09-22

   Study period

   1944-1969

   Limitations

   Authoritative official ship history. The DANFS acquisition/commissioning sequence conflicts with NavSource's detailed command chronology (see correction row) - DANFS compresses the November 1944 reduced-commission ferry period and gives 12 July 1945 commissioning under Marvin, who per NavSource's CO table commanded only the November 1944 ferry crew. Contains no asbestos, insulation-material, or condition information; supports no asbestos claim.

   Atlas source

   true

   Evidence ID

   ev-uss-liguria-aks15-03

4. [4]NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive, USS Liguria (AKS-15) page (compiled from DANFS, Ships' Data/MARAD material, and contributor records; includes NHHC photo NH 83309) [other_primary]

   Locator

   AKS-15 page: chronology block, commanding-officer table, specifications block

   Finding type

   historical_record

   Finding

   NavSource compiled record for USS Liguria (AKS-15), Acubens-class general stores issue ship: laid down 19 September 1944 as MC type EC2-S-C1 hull (MCE hull 3071) at New England Shipbuilding Corp., South Portland, ME; launched 1 November 1944; acquired by the Navy 17 November 1944 and placed in reduced commission for transit to fitting-out yard at East Boston, MA (LCDR Todd F. Marvin, USNR, Aux Ferry Crew #5); decommissioned 20 November 1944 at Bethlehem Steel's Simpson Yard, East Boston, for conversion to a General Stores Issue Ship; commissioned 6 July 1945 (LCDR Samuel C. Dawson Jr., USNR); Asiatic-Pacific Theater; Navy Occupation Service Medal and China Service Medal (extended) periods 26 October 1945 - 22 April 1946; decommissioned 15 August 1946 at Pearl Harbor, T.H.; all Acubens-class ships were meant to be used as Bikini assets in the 'C' test and were kept at Pearl Harbor until a 1947 decision to transfer custody to the Maritime Commission; laid up 23 April 1947 in the NDRF, Suisun Bay, Benicia, CA. CO table: Marvin 17-20 Nov 1944; decommissioned 20 Nov 1944 - 6 Jul 1945; Dawson 6 Jul 1945 - 6 Feb 1946; McIlwaine 6 Feb - 14 Jul 1946; Kokx 14 Jul - 15 Aug 1946. Specifications: 5,240 t. (lt) / 14,550 t. (fl); 441'6" x 56'11" x 28'4"; 12.5 kts; complement 15 officers / 180 enlisted; one 5"/38 and four 3"/50 mounts; Iron Fireman vertical reciprocating steam engine, two Babcock & Wilcox header-type boilers 220 psi 450 deg.F, three 60 kW turbo-drive generators, single screw 2,500 shp; cargo 2,500 DWT / 219,018 cu ft non-refrigerated.

   Verification

   verified

   Role

   supporting

   Documentation level

   ship_specific

   Accessed

   2026-09-22

   Study period

   1944-1974

   Limitations

   NavSource is a volunteer-maintained naval-history archive, not an official publication - its chronology and CO table are more detailed than DANFS and internally consistent, but individual data points are not independently corroborated by deck logs. The Bikini 'C'-test retention claim is NavSource's compilation note, not confirmed here against a primary Operation Crossroads document (the planned third shot was in fact cancelled). Armament list (one 5"/38, four 3"/50) differs from DANFS (1 5", 1 3", 8 20mm) - likely design-spec vs. fitted. Contains no asbestos information; supports no asbestos claim.

   Atlas source

   true

   Evidence ID

   ev-uss-liguria-aks15-04

5. [5]U.S. Maritime Administration, ShipHistory database - LIGURIA (AKS-15), Ship History Detail 3021, including three digitized status cards (3021_5621AF.jpg NDRF vessel-data card; 3021_AF.jpg MA-20 Record of Ship Sales; 4IK_01.png vessel status card) [marad_nrc]

   Locator

   ShipHistory Detail 3021, milestones table + status-card scans

   Finding type

   vessel_history

   Finding

   MARAD ShipHistory record for LIGURIA (AKS-15): year built 1944; New England Shipbuilding Corporation; Naval Auxiliary / AK Cargo Ship; MARAD type EC2-S-C1; 441.50 ft x 56.90 ft; fate 'Sold - Scrap.' Milestones: Entry and Acquisition 4/23/1947; Disposition and Withdrawal 5/13/1974 ('CUST 1947'). Digitized status cards confirm: basis to U.S.M.C. 4-23-47 12:45 PM PST at Suisun Bay, Calif., from Navy Dept. - Surplus (NDRF Suisun Bay unit G-14); hull no. MCE-3071; 570 bbls Bunker C fuel oil at fleet entry; 'Sold scrap under PD-X-972, 3-15-74 to Dongkuk Steel Co. of America, Inc. for $516,645.00'; withdrawn from fleet/delivered 1345 PDT 5-13-74. Form MA-20 Record of Ship Sales: awarded to Dongkuk Steel Co. of America Inc. 3-15-74 for $516,645.00; contract MA-7296; dimensions LOA 441'6" x 56'11", draft 28'4"; advertised under PD-X-964 (bids rejected), PD-X-968 (bids rejected), then PD-X-972 dated 1-22-74, opened 2-26-74, under two conditions (1) NTU (2) Scrap Hull - award under condition (2).

   Verification

   verified

   Role

   supporting

   Documentation level

   ship_specific

   Accessed

   2026-09-22

   Study period

   1947-1974

   Limitations

   Authoritative for government custody milestones and disposal terms; status-card handwriting partially legible (hand-annotated entries read at scan). Cards record custody, layup, sale, and physical delivery - they contain no asbestos, materials, or condition-survey information and support no asbestos claim. 'Delivered 5-13-74' resolves the propagated 'delivered 13 March 1974' transcription error (see correction row).

   Atlas source

   true

   Evidence ID

   ev-uss-liguria-aks15-05

6. [6]Cross-source reconciliation: DANFS/NHHC entry; NavSource AKS-15 page + CO table; MARAD status cards (Detail 3021); NavalCoverMuseum LIGURIA AKS-15 page (navalcovermuseum.org) [other_primary]

   Locator

   MARAD status card box 22 (withdrawal) + MA-20 'Physically Delivered' field; NavSource chronology/CO table; DANFS entry text

   Finding type

   historical_record

   Finding

   Source discrepancies identified: (a) acquisition/commissioning - DANFS gives 'acquired 20 November 1944; commissioned 12 July 1945, Lt. Comdr. T. F. Marvin in command,' while NavSource records acquisition 17 November 1944 in reduced commission (Marvin, Aux Ferry Crew #5), decommissioning 20 November 1944 at Simpson Yard for conversion, and full commissioning 6 July 1945 under LCDR Samuel C. Dawson Jr.; the NavSource sequence is internally consistent with its CO table and is adopted as the more detailed account, with the conflict unresolved against primary deck logs. (b) Decommissioning - NavSource 15 August 1946 at Pearl Harbor (consistent with CO table: Kokx to 15 August); NavalCoverMuseum 7 August 1946; Wikipedia infobox 'July 1946.' (c) Disposal delivery - NavSource and Wikipedia state 'delivered 13 March 1974,' which precedes the 15 March sale date and contradicts the MARAD status card's withdrawal entry '1345 PDT 5-13-74' and MA-20 'Physically Delivered 5/13/74 1:45 PM PDT'; May 13, 1974 is controlling. (d) Stricken date - NavalCoverMuseum 23 April 1947; NavSource 'date unknown'; DANFS silent (records only the 25 April 1947 MC transfer; MARAD cards show NDRF custody entry 23 April 1947).

   Verification

   verified

   Role

   correction

   Documentation level

   ship_specific

   Accessed

   2026-09-22

   Study period

   1944-1974

   Limitations

   Resolves secondary-source transcription errors against the primary MARAD status cards and flags residual date conflicts. NavalCoverMuseum is a volunteer philatelic-history reference - its 23 April 1947 strike date is plausible (matches NDRF custody entry) but uncorroborated by an NVR/Navy list entry; carried as unresolved rather than asserted. No asbestos content in any of these sources.

   Atlas source

   true

   Evidence ID

   ev-uss-liguria-aks15-06

7. [7]Atlas shipyards.json record 'bethlehem-shipbuilding' (Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation - aliases BethShip, Fore River, Sparrows Point, Union Iron Works) asbestos_products_documented field; NavSource AKS-15 chronology for the Simpson Yard conversion dates [other_primary]

   Locator

   shipyards.json yard_id bethlehem-shipbuilding, asbestos_products_documented; NavSource conversion entries

   Finding type

   asbestos_application

   Finding

   Conversion-yard era context: Liguria's November 1944 - July 1945 conversion to a general stores issue ship was performed at Bethlehem Steel's Simpson Yard, East Boston, Massachusetts - part of the Bethlehem Shipbuilding corporate system whose Atlas yard record documents asbestos products in period yard work (85% magnesia block insulation, Marinite board, Transite pipe covering, Aircell pipe covering, Armabestos block, Unibestos products, Raybestos cloth, asbestos lagging, gaskets and packing, asbestos welding blankets and coated welding rods). Conversion outfitting of a merchant-type hull to Navy stores-issue configuration in 1944-45 is the kind of work in which period insulation products were installed or disturbed.

   Verification

   inferred

   Role

   context

   Documentation level

   class_or_era

   Accessed

   2026-09-22

   Study period

   1944-1945

   Population

   Simpson Yard conversion workers (1944-45); Navy crew embarking after conversion

   Limitations

   Yard-level and era-level context only - the Atlas yard record documents Bethlehem-system products generally, not the Simpson Yard specifically and not this hull; no AKS-15 conversion work package, material schedule, or worker testimony was located. Does not establish that asbestos was installed in or disturbed aboard this vessel during conversion, nor quantity, condition, individual exposure, or causation.

   Atlas source

   true

   Evidence ID

   ev-uss-liguria-aks15-07

8. [8]Batch-1122 search ledger (this record): NHHC DANFS (live 404 + Wayback capture); NavSource AKS-15; MARAD ShipHistory 3021 + status cards; NavalCoverMuseum; NVR ship detail AKS-15; CourtListener name/hull searches; hazegray DANFS mirror [other_primary]

   Locator

   search_ledger rows sl-uss-liguria-aks15-01 through sl-uss-liguria-aks15-10

   Finding type

   historical_record

   Finding

   No qualifying ship-specific asbestos record located: no asbestos survey, abatement contract, hazmat disclosure, or docketed case naming Liguria/AKS-15 was found in the public sources searched - the DANFS entry, NavSource page, MARAD record and status cards, and NavalCoverMuseum page contain no asbestos or insulation-material statement; CourtListener opinion searches (authenticated API v4, 2026-09-22) returned zero results for "AKS-15" and "USS Liguria," and 14 hits for "Liguria" that are all name collisions (Liguria Foods, Inc. corporate litigation; The Peconic, 124 F. 848 (S.D.N.Y. 1903), a collision case involving an unrelated steamship Liguria; incidental references to the Liguria region of Italy). See search_ledger.

   Verification

   verified

   Role

   negative_finding

   Documentation level

   ship_specific

   Accessed

   2026-09-22

   Study period

   2026-09-22

   Limitations

   Absence of a located public record does not prove absence of asbestos aboard - a 1944 EC2-S-C1 hull converted and steamed during the asbestos era is era-consistent with asbestos-containing materials, and the hull was scrapped (likely abroad) without any documented hazmat review located. Does not establish presence or absence; does not establish or defeat any exposure claim or legal eligibility. The Robinson v. United States WSA-fleet ruling carried on Liberty-ship records was not carried here because Liguria was a commissioned naval vessel, not a WSA-operated merchantman.

   Atlas source

   true

   Evidence ID

   ev-uss-liguria-aks15-08

9. [9]NARA Guide to Federal Records: RG 19 (Bureau of Ships), RG 24 (Bureau of Naval Personnel - deck logs), RG 181 (naval districts and shore establishments) [other_primary]

   Locator

   archives.gov guide-fed-records groups 019, 024, 181

   Finding type

   historical_record

   Finding

   Archival leads (not retrieved - require research-room or reproduction orders; no spend authorized): NARA RG 24 (Bureau of Naval Personnel) deck logs - the ship's November 1944 ferry-crew period and July 1945 - August 1946 commission logs would resolve the acquisition/commissioning date conflicts and may reference material conditions; RG 19 (Bureau of Ships) correspondence files may hold AKS conversion specifications and the Simpson Yard contract scope; RG 181 (naval districts/shipyards) Boston-area files may hold conversion-period yard records; NDRF preservation records for the 1947-1974 Suisun Bay layup would document stripping and condition at layup.

   Verification

   unverified

   Role

   archival_lead

   Documentation level

   context_only

   Accessed

   2026-09-22

   Study period

   1944-1974 records

   Limitations

   Record-group mapping only - no box-level retrieval performed; existence of asbestos-specific documents for MCE hull 3071/AKS-15 is unknown until surveyed in person. Nothing in this row is an asbestos finding.

   Atlas source

   true

   Evidence ID

   ev-uss-liguria-aks15-09