Evidence
10 evidence entries recorded; each entry has a stable permalink (#ev-1 … #ev-10).
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[1]research packet 695-packet.md (1 sources cited) [other_primary]
- Finding type
- vessel_history
- Finding
- Identity packet verdict: VERIFIED
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- supporting
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Evidence ID
- uss-lst-59-lst59-pkt-695-packet-md
-
[2]DANFS, LST-59 (Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, Vol. VII (1981), pp. 580-585) - construction, sponsor, commissioning, Normandy service, disposal, battle star (archived Wayback capture of NHHC page; live page returned 404 on 2026-10-02. Identical verbatim transcription also at losthistory.net/hazegray mirror, verified live) [nhhc_danfs]
- Locator
- DANFS Vol. VII pp. 580-585, 'LST-59' entry (lstgrp_2 transcription group); Wayback capture 2024-05-27 of history.navy.mil/.../danfs/l/lst-59.html
- Finding type
- vessel_history
- Finding
- Documented for this hull: laid down 7 November 1943 at Pittsburgh, Pa., by the Dravo Corp.; launched 18 December 1943; sponsored by Mrs. Richard A. Lewis; commissioned 31 January 1944, Lt. R. J. Mayer, USNR, in command. 'During World War II, LST-59 was assigned to the European theater and participated in the Normandy invasion from 6 to 25 June 1944. She was decommissioned on 21 January 1946 and was struck from the Navy list on 25 February 1946. On 18 September 1947, she was sold to the Southern Shipwrecking Co., of New Orleans, La., and subsequently scrapped. LST-59 earned one battle star for service in World War II.'
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- context
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-10-02
- Study period
- 1943-1947
- Population
- Dravo Neville Island construction trades (1943); commissioning crew (1944)
- Limitations
- Ship-specific history only; no asbestos or material content. Live NHHC DANFS page returned 404 on 2026-10-02 (standing NHHC link-rot defect noted since BATCH-01); cited via archived Wayback capture dated 2024-05-27, corroborated by verbatim transcription at the hazegray/losthistory DANFS mirror.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-lst-59-lst59-01
-
[3]NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive, USS LST-59 (10/16/160059) - milestone timeline, specifications, commanding officers, campaign ribbons, radio call sign NGCV (verified live 2026-10-02) [other_primary]
- Locator
- NavSource 10/16/160059.htm header block, campaign table, specifications block, commanding-officers table
- Finding type
- vessel_history
- Finding
- NavSource timeline for this hull: LST-1 Class Tank Landing Ship; laid down 7 November 1943 at Dravo Corp., Neville Island, PA; launched 18 December 1943; commissioned USS LST-59, 31 January 1944, LT. Robert J. Mayer, USNR, in command; Europe-Africa-Middle East Theater, Invasion of Normandy 6 to 25 June 1944; decommissioned 21 January 1946; struck from the Naval Register 25 February 1946; sold for scrapping 18 September 1947 to Southern Shipwrecking Co., New Orleans, LA; one battle star for WWII service. Awards: American Campaign Medal, European-Africa-Middle East Campaign Medal (1), World War II Victory Medal. Specifications: 328' oa x 50' beam; 1,625 t light / 4,080 t fl / 2,366 t beaching; 11.6 kt trial; complement 9 officers + 120 enlisted, troop accommodations 14 officers + 131 enlisted; 6 LCVP; propulsion two General Motors 12-567A 900hp diesel engines, single Falk main reduction gears, three diesel-drive 100kW 230V D.C. ship's service generators, two propellers 1,700shp, twin rudders. Commanding officers: LT Robert J. Mayer USNR (31 January 1944 - 7 July 1945), LT John Newton Hightower Jr. USN (to decommissioning). One photograph (beached, date and location unknown; credited to John Logue, USS LST-59).
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- context
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-10-02
- Study period
- 1943-1947
- Population
- Dravo Neville Island construction trades (1943); crew (1944-46); embarked troops (Normandy lift cycle)
- Limitations
- NavSource is a volunteer secondary compilation, not a primary registry - its milestone dates track DANFS. Contains no asbestos content. The CO table prints Hightower's relief end-date as '21 January 1945', an evident typographical slip for 1946 (the decommissioning date); flagged, not silently corrected (see gaps). Complement figures differ from class-level and secondary ranges - see gaps.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-lst-59-lst59-02
-
[4]MARAD Vessel History Database, LST-59 record (Detail/9433): 'LST Tank Landing Ship', 'Naval Combatant', fate 'Sold - No Further Info'; one status-card image (43N_01.png) and six photographs (verified live 2026-10-02) [marad_nrc]
- Locator
- vesselhistory.marad.dot.gov/ShipHistory/Detail/9433; Status Cards tab (43N_01.png); Ship Imagery (6 files)
- Finding type
- historical_record
- Finding
- The Maritime Administration's vessel-history record for this hull exists (record 9433) but is thin: no narrative, milestones, or documents populated; fate recorded only as 'Sold - No Further Info'. A WWII-era vessel status card (image scan) and six photographs are attached - the federal disposal-tracking record for the hull following its 1946 striking and 1947 sale.
- Verification
- partial
- Role
- archival_lead
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-10-02
- Study period
- 1946-1947 (disposal window)
- Limitations
- Archival lead only: the status card is an image scan whose handwritten entries were not text-verified this session; the database's own fields are mostly unpopulated (year built shown as '9999'). Confirms the federal disposal chain (Navy sale to Southern Shipwrecking Co.) without adding detail. No asbestos content.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-lst-59-lst59-03
-
[5]Senator John Heinz History Center (Detre Library & Archives), 'Pittsburgh's LSTs: Remembering the "Workhorse" of Normandy' - documents LST-59 crew-reunion letter (June 6-8, 1986) in the Dravo Corporation Records Collection, MSS 288, and the Dravo LST-construction photograph series, MSP 288 (verified live 2026-10-02) [museum_official]
- Locator
- Heinz History Center blog, image-gallery caption for the LST-59 reunion letter; collection references MSS 288 (records) and MSP 288 (photographs)
- Finding type
- historical_record
- Finding
- The Detre Library & Archives holds, in the Dravo Corporation Records Collection (MSS 288), a reunion letter for the crew of LST-59 dated June 6-7-8, 1986 - 'the men of LST-59 returned to Pittsburgh in June 1986 to hold their reunion in the place where their ship had been made. The letter recounts LST-59's service during the war.' The same archive holds the Dravo Corporation Photographs (MSP 288) documenting LST construction at the Neville Island yard during this hull's build period, including prefabricated-section and launch photography.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- archival_lead
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-10-02
- Study period
- 1943-1946 (subject); 1986 (reunion letter)
- Population
- LST-59 crew (wartime); Dravo Neville Island workforce (1943)
- Limitations
- Archival lead only: a curator's published description of collection contents - the reunion letter itself was not examined; its service account is a veteran reminiscence, not a work record. Dravo yard photography documents the build process at the yard, not materials aboard this hull. No asbestos content.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-lst-59-lst59-04
-
[6]Era inference built on: NavSource LST-59 specifications (two GM 12-567A diesels, no steam plant); LST-1-class design record (BuShips Ships' Data 1945 Vol. 2 design table: 328 ft oa, 50 ft beam, 2 x GM 12-567A diesels ~1,700 shp, 11.6 kt - diesel plant, NO boilers); GAO HRD-80-2 Navy asbestos-era documentation (see ev-06) [other_primary]
- Locator
- NavSource specifications block; BuShips SD-1945 v2 LST design table (via class profile ev-lst-1-class-01); GAO HRD-80-2 product page
- Finding type
- asbestos_application
- Finding
- A diesel-powered tank landing ship built November-December 1943 sits inside the documented Navy asbestos-use era; era-standard asbestos-relevant applications aboard a vessel of this type and period were diesel-exhaust and engine-room lagging, gaskets, valve packing, deck coverings/tile, and bulkhead/accommodation insulation in the confined hull and machinery spaces. As a diesel ship she carried no boilers or steam plant - the boiler/steam-line lagging pathway of steam vessels does not apply; the exposure-relevant systems concentrate in the engine room, exhaust runs, and interior finishes.
- Verification
- inferred
- Role
- supporting
- Documentation level
- class_or_era
- Accessed
- 2026-10-02
- Study period
- 1943-1948
- Population
- Dravo construction trades (1943); crew (1944-46); embarked troops; 1947-48 shipbreakers, Southern Shipwrecking Co., New Orleans
- Limitations
- Class/era inference only - no hull-specific insulation survey, material list, or work package located for LST-59. Names era-standard applications, not confirmed installed materials. No quantity. Product names are normalized era terms; no manufacturer attribution for this hull.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-lst-59-lst59-05
-
[7]GAO, Navy Efforts To Protect Workers From Asbestos Exposure, HRD-80-2 (Oct 18, 1979) [gao]
- Locator
- GAO product page HRD-80-2 (full text blocked, HTTP 403)
- Finding type
- gov_survey
- Finding
- GAO documented that the Navy used asbestos insulation extensively aboard ships and did not begin substituting alternative insulation materials until the early 1970s - spanning this hull's entire construction (1943) and service era (1944-46) and disposal (1947-48).
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- context
- Documentation level
- class_or_era
- Accessed
- 2026-10-02
- Study period
- 1979
- Population
- Navy shipyard workers; asbestos program review
- Limitations
- Program-level documentation; supports era context only, not any fact specific to this hull. Full text not retrieved (gao.gov blocks automated fetch, HTTP 403, standing defect since BATCH-01) - content via product-page description.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-lst-59-lst59-06
-
[8]Christman v. Dravo Corp., 466 A.2d 209, 319 Pa. Super. 378 (Pa. Super. 1983) (Popovich, J.) - CourtListener opinion 1971341; corroborated at vLex (case-law.vlex.com/vid/christman-v-dravo-corp-900319710) and cetient.com case text [court_record]
- Locator
- Opinion text at 466 A.2d 209, 319 Pa. Super. 378 (filed 1983-09-30); complaint paragraphs FOURTH and FIFTH as reproduced in the opinion; CourtListener opinion 1971341
- Finding type
- litigation_documented
- Finding
- Pleading-stage asbestos allegation at this hull's builder, in the exact build window: the executrix of Jacob F. Christman alleged that he 'worked for Dravo Corporation as a mechanic/welder at Neville Island, Pennsylvania' from 1942 to 1945 and 'worked with and around asbestos products believed to have been supplied by... Johns-Manville, and supplied to the decedent by Dravo Corporation'; he was diagnosed with mesothelioma 8 May 1978 and died 21 February 1979. The Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County granted Dravo summary judgment; the Superior Court of Pennsylvania affirmed 30 September 1983 - on the ground that the Pennsylvania Workmen's Compensation Act (or the federal LHWCA) was the plaintiff's exclusive remedy against the employer. The exposure allegation was never adjudicated on the merits.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- context
- Documentation level
- class_or_era
- Accessed
- 2026-10-02
- Study period
- 1942-1945 (alleged exposure); 1979-1983 (litigation)
- Population
- Dravo Neville Island trades, mechanic/welder cohort (1942-45)
- Limitations
- Builder-yard documentation, not a hull record - names Dravo's Neville Island plant in 1942-45, not LST-59 or any vessel. Classified at the less-final stage: a complaint allegation disposed of by summary judgment on an employer-immunity (exclusive-remedy) ground - a merits-level negative for that plaintiff's tort claim against Dravo, NOT a finding that asbestos was or was not present. CourtListener metadata labels the deciding court 'Supreme Court of Pennsylvania'; the reporter cite (319 Pa. Super. 378) and panel composition confirm the Superior Court.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-lst-59-lst59-07
-
[9]In re Dravo LLC - Derivative Claims Against Carmeuse Lime, Inc., Appeal of: Carmeuse Lime (Pa., Nos. 33-34 WAP 2024, decided 2026-05-22, Brobson, J.), official Supreme Court of Pennsylvania opinion PDF; and In re Dravo LLC, 307 A.3d 146, 2023 PA Super 268 (Pa. Super. 2023-12-19), official PDF J-A15029-23o (CourtListener opinions 10317323, 10863493) [court_record]
- Locator
- Pa. Supreme opinion PDF J-79A-2025mo (2026-05-22); Pa. Super. opinion PDF J-A15029-23o (2023 PA Super 268); Stipulation of Undisputed Facts paragraphs quoted in both
- Finding type
- litigation_documented
- Finding
- Stipulated-record documentation of asbestos claims against this hull's builder across its operating era: since at least the early 1990s Dravo was sued in asbestos cases whose alleged 'exposure typically occurred during its operations from the 1940s through the 1980s' (Stipulation of Undisputed Facts); hundreds of asbestos claimants filed by the 13 July 2020 claim bar date in Dravo's dissolution proceedings. Disposition chain: the Allegheny County trial court granted Carmeuse Lime summary judgment on the plaintiffs' veil-piercing theory (5 October 2022); the Superior Court reversed and remanded (19 December 2023); the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania reversed the Superior Court (22 May 2026), holding veil piercing unavailable for tort claims time-barred under the LLC Act - claims against the dissolved entity's parent barred as untimely.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- context
- Documentation level
- class_or_era
- Accessed
- 2026-10-02
- Study period
- 1998-2026 (corporate/litigation); 1940s-1980s (alleged exposure window)
- Population
- Dravo operations-era claimants (1940s-1980s alleged exposures); Asbestos Claims consolidated in dissolution proceedings
- Limitations
- Builder-level litigation posture, not a hull record and not an exposure finding - the appellate decisions turn on corporate-law issues (veil piercing, LLC-Act claim bars), never adjudicating asbestos conditions at Neville Island or aboard any vessel. Classified exactly at its disposition: affirmed defense judgment at the highest level on non-exposure grounds; the underlying asbestos claims remain unadjudicated allegations. The stipulated '1940s through the 1980s' exposure window covers, but is not limited to, this hull's 1943-44 build period.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-lst-59-lst59-08
-
[10]Batch-7105 search ledger (this record): DANFS (Wayback NHHC capture + hazegray transcription); NavSource 10/16/160059; MARAD vesselhistory 9433; Heinz History Center / Detre archives; NVR; Christman and In re Dravo opinions; NARA deck-log lead; secondary web litigation sweep; CourtListener hull-name queries (pacing-blocked - see ledger) [other_primary]
- Locator
- search_ledger rows sl-uss-lst-59-lst59-01 through -11
- Finding type
- historical_record
- Finding
- No qualifying ship-specific asbestos record located: no asbestos survey, abatement contract, hazmat disclosure, or docketed case naming USS LST-59 was found in the public sources searched (see search_ledger). Secondary web sweeps surfaced no qualifying case; the only 'asbestos aboard' material touching this class is law-firm marketing content (asbestos.com and similar listicles) asserting asbestos without primary sourcing - excluded by source policy.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- negative_finding
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-10-02
- Study period
- 2026-10-02
- Limitations
- Absence of a located public record does not prove absence of asbestos aboard - the hull was built and scrapped entirely within the documented Navy asbestos era. Deck logs (NARA RG 24), the MARAD status card's handwritten entries, the Detre reunion letter, and any scrapping-contract records are unexamined leads. Does not establish or defeat any claim of exposure or legal eligibility.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-lst-59-lst59-09