Evidence
9 evidence entries recorded; each entry has a stable permalink (#ev-1 … #ev-9).
-
[1]research packet es-packet.md (1 sources cited) [nhhc_danfs]
- Finding type
- vessel_history
- Finding
- Identity packet verdict: VERIFIED
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- supporting
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Evidence ID
- uss-madison-dd425-pkt-es-packet-md
-
[2]DANFS, Madison III (DD-425), expanded NHHC entry July 2016 (builder, dates, full service narrative, disposal; Wayback capture 2023-11-18 - live NHHC page returns 404; original published DANFS text verbatim at hazegray mirror https://losthistory.net/hazegray/danfs/destroy/dd425txt.htm) [nhhc_danfs]
- Locator
- NHHC DANFS 'Madison III' entry, specifications block + full service narrative + commanding-officer list (web.archive.org capture 20231118154305; live URL 404)
- Finding type
- vessel_history
- Finding
- DANFS record for this hull: laid down 19 September 1938 by the Boston Navy Yard; launched 20 October 1939, sponsored by Mrs. Ethel Madison Meyn, widow of Cmdr. James J. Madison; commissioned 6 August 1940, Lt. Cmdr. Thomas E. Boyce in command. Spec block: dp 1,620, l. 347'7", b. 36'11", dr. 11'9", s. 35 k., cpl. 235, a. 5 5", 4 .50 cal mg., 2 dct., 10 21" tt.; class Benson. Service: fitting out and builder's trials at Boston Aug-Nov 1940; Caribbean shakedown; escorted Tuscaloosa (CA-37) carrying Ambassador Leahy Dec 1940; Martinique Jan-Feb 1941; screened Augusta (CA-31) carrying President Roosevelt to the Atlantic Conference at Argentia Aug 1941 (rendezvous with HMS Prince of Wales carrying Churchill); North Atlantic convoys ON-18, HX-154, ON-30, HX-162 (storm damage 1 Dec 1941), HX-169, ON-59; TF 39 to Scapa Flow 4 Apr 1942, joined British Home Fleet; Force 'W' screen for Operation Calendar (Wasp Spitfire delivery to Malta, 20 Apr 1942); North Sea and Murmansk-route patrols; Boston Navy Yard 21 May minor overhaul; rescued 13 men of torpedoed Norwegian ship Berganger 2-3 Jun; Panama/Galveston tanker escort; Norfolk upkeep 1-8 Jul; New York Navy Yard overhaul from 26 Jul; convoy AT-18; rescued Wakefield captain, XO, and 78 men 3-5 Sep; TF 38 cover for convoy UGF-2, Operation Torch landings, Casablanca patrol Nov-Dec 1942; Curacao-UK tanker convoys UC-1 (attacked by Rochen wolfpack 23 Feb 1943), CU-1, UC-2, CU-2, UC-3, CU-3A, CU-4, UC-4; New York Navy Yard drydock Oct 1943 and repairs/alterations 17 Dec 1943 into Jan 1944; Mediterranean from Oran 30 Jan 1944; Anzio anti-submarine/anti-E-boat patrol, AA protection, screening Feb-mid-Apr; transported 238 survivors of Lansdale (DD-426) 28 Apr; U-960 hunt May (Niblack and Ludlow sank her; Madison picked up survivors); Operation Dragoon southern France 15 Aug 1944 - screened Omaha and Nevada off Toulon, silenced Cape Croisette batteries 27 Aug, received surrender envoys for ~850 Germans on the Isles d'If/Ratonneau/Pomegues, destroyed four confirmed + one probable human torpedoes 10 Sep ('preeminent human torpedo shooter of the destroyer fleet'); Menton-Bordighera fire support through Dec 1944; return Jan 1945 (Brooklyn availability, Boston maintenance Feb); final Mediterranean convoy UGS-77; departed east coast 21 Apr 1945 for Pacific via Panama, San Diego, Pearl Harbor; Saipan 28 Jun; Guam/Ulithi picket; Okinawa convoy OKU-14; Indianapolis (CA-35) rescue-group search 2-5 Aug (recovered three sets of remains); Tokyo Bay 28 Aug, passed abeam of Missouri (BB-63) during the 2 Sep surrender; occupation landings at Senami 7 Oct; departed Tokyo Bay 5 Nov; Charleston Naval Shipyard 7 Dec 1945; out of commission in reserve 13 Mar 1946 at Charleston, later moved to Orange, Tex.; stricken from the Naval Vessel Register 1 June 1968; sunk as a target about 85 miles due east of St. Augustine, Fla., 14 October 1969. Five battle stars for World War II service.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- supporting
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-27
- Study period
- 1938-1969
- Population
- Boston Navy Yard construction trades 1938-40; wartime and postwar crew (design complement 235 per DANFS); yard workers at documented availabilities
- Limitations
- DANFS documents service history and specifications, not materials or asbestos content. Expanded NHHC version cited via Wayback capture because the live page returns 404; original published DANFS text verified verbatim at the hazegray (losthistory.net) mirror. The expanded narrative is internally consistent; no asbestos content anywhere in the entry.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-madison-dd425-01
-
[3]NavSource Online, Destroyer Photo Archive - USS Madison (DD-425) page (volunteer archival compilation, not an official record) [other_primary]
- Locator
- Operational/building data block, spec block, photo captions (navsource.net/archives/05/425.htm)
- Finding type
- vessel_history
- Finding
- NavSource chronology and spec block: class Benson; displacement 2,395 tons (full); 348'4" oa x 36'1" x 13'2" max; armament 4 x 5"/38AA, 6 x 0.5" MG, 10 x 21" tt (2x5); machinery 50,000 SHP, Bethlehem turbines, 2 screws; 35 knots; range 6,500 nm at 12 knots; crew 208; call sign NAXB. Building/disposal block: 'Laid down by Boston Navy Yard December 19 1938. Launched October 20 1939 and commissioned August 6 1940. Decommissioned March 13 1946. Stricken June 1 1969. Sunk as target off Southeastern Florida October 14 1969.' Photo captions identify this hull's New York Navy Yard repair and alteration period of 17 December 1943 - 14 January 1944 (U.S. Navy Bureau of Ships photos BS 59090 series) and a photo in her original configuration autumn 1940 (National Archives 80-G-456222; Charlestown Navy Yard Park NPS collection).
- Verification
- partial
- Role
- supporting
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-27
- Study period
- 1938-1969
- Population
- Crew (208 per NavSource block); Boston Navy Yard construction trades; New York Navy Yard workers Dec 1943-Jan 1944
- Limitations
- Volunteer archival compilation, not an official record - corroborates identity, milestones, specifications, and fate. TWO conflicts vs DANFS: laid down 'December 19 1938' vs DANFS '19 September 1938', and stricken 'June 1 1969' vs DANFS '1 June 1968' - both carried per DANFS with the NavSource readings flagged in gaps. Spec-block figures (2,395 t full, crew 208) differ from the DANFS block (1,620 t, cpl. 235) - design-vs-as-built variance, carried in gaps. No asbestos or materials information.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-madison-dd425-02
-
[4]Boston Naval Shipyard Production Record (Andrew Toppan compilation, hazegray.org shipbuilding series - cited via losthistory.net mirror; hazegray.org unreachable at research time) [other_primary]
- Locator
- hazegray BNSY production list, chronological table row 'Madison (DD 425)'
- Finding type
- vessel_history
- Finding
- Boston Naval Shipyard's official-derived production list names this hull: 'Madison (DD 425), Benson Class Destroyer, 6 Aug 1940, Target 10/1969' - corroborating the builder (Boston Navy Yard / Charlestown), the commissioning date, and the 1969 target fate.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- supporting
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-27
- Study period
- 1938-1940; 1969
- Population
- Boston Naval Shipyard construction trades 1938-40
- Limitations
- Reputable secondary compilation of the yard's construction output; corroborates builder, commission date, and disposition. Lists commissioning date rather than keel date, so it does not arbitrate the September-vs-December laid-down conflict. No asbestos or materials information.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-madison-dd425-03
-
[5]Tin Can Sailors (destroyers.org) USS Madison DD-425 page - disposition line + verbatim expanded-DANFS text (July 2016) + class data block [other_primary]
- Locator
- destroyers.org/ships/dd-425 - 'Disposition' line + class data box + DANFS history section
- Finding type
- vessel_history
- Finding
- Destroyer-association record for this hull: 'Stricken 6/1/1968. Target 3/26/1969' - corroborating the DANFS stricken date (1 June 1968, against NavSource's 'June 1 1969') and adding a target-program assignment date of 26 March 1969 ahead of the 14 October 1969 sinking. The page carries the same expanded DANFS narrative text as the NHHC entry, corroborating the service history. Class data block (as of 1945): 4 boilers, 2 Bethlehem turbines, 47,000 hp, 16 officers/260 enlisted.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- supporting
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-27
- Study period
- 1968-1969
- Population
- Reserve-fleet and disposal-period context
- Limitations
- Veterans' association compilation quoting DANFS text and register-style disposition data; the 3/26/1969 'Target' datum is a program-assignment notation, not the sinking date. No asbestos or materials information.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-madison-dd425-04
-
[6]NavSource machinery block (ev-02) + ibiblio 'Ships of the U.S. Navy 1940-1945' DD-425 spec block ('high-pressure super-heated boilers, geared turbines with twin screws, 50,000 h.p.') + BuShips Ships' Data Jan 1945 'No. 421 Class' machinery table (Benson class: 4 Babcock & Wilcox boilers 575 psi/700 F, Bethlehem turbines, 47,000 shp; shipscribe.com scan SDB1945v1) + Atlas shipyard dataset records 'boston-naval-shipyard' (tier 3; John Crane gasket/sealing product-ID, In re John Crane Tex. App. 2003), 'brooklyn-navy-yard' (tier 3; asbestos litigation + Fleischer 1946 pipe-covering study), 'norfolk-naval-shipyard' (tier 2; Superfund-listed, asbestos disposal documented), 'charleston-naval-shipyard' (tier 2; asbestos product list + litigation) + NARA RG 19 asbestos-research path [other_primary]
- Locator
- NavSource machinery block; ibiblio DD-425 spec block (hyperwar/USN/ships/DD/DD-425_Madison.html); shipyards.json records for the four yards; BuShips SDB1945v1 'No. 421 Class' row
- Finding type
- asbestos_application
- Finding
- Era/yard inference: a Benson-class destroyer built 1938-40 at Boston Navy Yard with a four-boiler high-pressure superheated steam plant (Babcock & Wilcox 575 psi/700 F per BuShips Ships' Data 1945; Bethlehem geared turbines, 47,000-50,000 shp, 2 shafts) would have carried period-standard asbestos insulation - boiler and turbine lagging, steam-line insulation, valve gaskets and packing, and fireproofing - as documented for WWII-era naval construction generally. Builder yard is tier 3 in the Atlas dataset with a documented asbestos product identification (John Crane gaskets/sealing). Documented yard periods for this hull - New York Navy Yard overhauls (Aug-Sep 1942, Oct 1943 drydock, Dec 1943-Jan 1944 repairs/alterations, Jan-Feb 1945 Brooklyn availability, Apr 1945 drydock), Norfolk Navy Yard (26 May-17 Jun 1941; 1-8 Jul 1942), Boston Navy Yard (construction + Feb 1945 maintenance), and Charleston Naval Shipyard (Mar 1946 decommissioning) - sit at yards carrying their own tier 2-3 asbestos records. NARA RG 19 'General Information Books' and BuShips correspondence are the archival leads for hull-level material specifications.
- Verification
- inferred
- Role
- supporting
- Documentation level
- class_or_era
- Accessed
- 2026-09-27
- Study period
- 1938-1946
- Population
- Boston Navy Yard construction trades 1938-40; wartime crew; yard workers at documented availabilities (New York NY, Norfolk NY, Boston NY, Charleston NSY)
- Limitations
- Class/era and builder-yard inference only - no retrieved source names an asbestos product installed on this hull, and the hull's 1938-40 construction largely predates the NARA asbestos guide's mapped correspondence window (1941-1961). Yard-level dataset records are context for the trades who worked aboard, not proof of material aboard. Machinery figures carry the documented 47,000-vs-50,000 shp BuShips-vs-DANFS-type discrepancy (recorded at class level). This row adds context, not a ship-specific finding; establishes nothing about presence, quantities, exposure, or causation for any individual.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-madison-dd425-05
-
[7]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
- Corn & Starr 1987, AJIM 11(3):359-373
- Finding type
- asbestos_application
- Finding
- Peer-reviewed scholarship documenting extensive asbestos use as insulation and fireproofing across WWII-era U.S. shipbuilding - the era context for this 1938-40-built steam destroyer, whose class carried the boiler/steam-line categories most associated with documented naval asbestos applications.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- context
- Documentation level
- class_or_era
- Accessed
- 2026-09-27
- Study period
- 1940s (study window)
- Population
- WWII-era shipbuilding workforce (era context)
- Limitations
- Program/era-level scholarship, not a ship-specific finding; the study concerns WWII shipbuilding policy and this hull was built 1938-40, immediately before the wartime programs it covers. Supports era plausibility only - nothing about this vessel's actual materials.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-madison-dd425-06
-
[8]CourtListener API v4 search (authenticated, cl-auth-search.py) + web-level check of CourtListener-indexed material [court_record]
- Locator
- cl-auth-search.py 2026-09-27: '"USS Madison" asbestos' type=o HTTP 200 count=0 (clean); remaining queries exit 2 fleet-pacing; web-level site:courtlistener.com and general litigation queries - name collisions only
- Finding type
- litigation_documented
- Finding
- No qualifying asbestos litigation naming USS Madison (DD-425) was located at the sources reached during research. Authenticated CourtListener API v4 (cl-auth-search.py, 2026-09-27): '"USS Madison" asbestos' type=o returned HTTP 200, count 0 - a clean negative for the asbestos-qualified opinion query. The remaining queries ('"USS Madison"' bare, '"DD-425"' type=o, '"USS Madison"' type=r) were fleet-throttled at research time - a recorded gap, not a clean negative. Web-level checks over CourtListener-indexed material returned only name collisions: criminal dockets for defendants surnamed Madison (United States v. Madison 1:24-cr-10201 D. Mass.; 1:24-cr-00440 D.D.C.; 1:25-cr-00364 D. Md.) and no vessel reference. General web search returned only marketing/lead-generation ship pages listing DD-425 (asbestos-ships.com, mesotheliomahelp.org, elslaw.com, nemerofflaw.com class lists) - excluded as sources per batch rules.
- Verification
- unverified
- Role
- negative_finding
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-27
- Study period
- 2026-09-27 (sweep attempts)
- Population
- N/A
- Limitations
- PARTIAL sweep: the asbestos-qualified opinion query ('"USS Madison" asbestos') is a complete authenticated clean-zero; the bare-name opinion query, hull-number query, and docket-level (type=r) queries were fleet-throttled at research time (cl-auth-search.py exit 2, spaced attempts across ~30 minutes) and are a recorded gap, not a clean negative. A docketed case naming the vessel could exist beyond the checked surface. WWII destroyer-era plaintiffs usually name shipyards and product manufacturers rather than hulls, so hull-name absence is expected and not exculpatory. Name-collision analysis: 'Madison' is a high-frequency surname/place name; USS James Madison SSBN-627 (1964-1992) adds a post-WWII Navy-vessel collision class.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-madison-dd425-07
-
[9]National Archives, 'Researching Asbestos aboard US Naval Vessel up through 1961' (research guide: VA claims context; RG 19 Bureau of Ships correspondence series path; RG 24 logbooks; RG 181 naval district/yard records) [other_primary]
- Locator
- archives.gov/research/military/navy/guided-topics/asbestos; archives.gov/research/cartographic/ship-plans; NARA NAID 732406 (photo), BS 59090 series
- Finding type
- historical_record
- Finding
- NARA's official research guide maps the record path for ship-level asbestos inquiry: Record Group 19 (Bureau of Ships) correspondence series arranged by Navy filing scheme (1941-1961), RG 24 deck logs, and RG 181 yard records. For this hull: WWII deck logs sit in RG 24 Entry 118 (NAID 581208); Boston Navy Yard construction records for the 1938-40 build are in RG 181; RG 19 hull-series engineering drawings for DD-425 are requestable via the NARA Cartographic Branch ship-plan index. NHHC's own photo citations in the DANFS entry reference NARA holdings for this hull (RG 181 photo NAID 732406; BuShips photos BS 59090-59095, New York Navy Yard, 1 January 1944).
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- archival_lead
- Documentation level
- context_only
- Accessed
- 2026-09-27
- Study period
- Records path for 1938-1946 service
- Limitations
- Research-path guide only - establishes where ship-specific asbestos documentation would live, not that any exists for this hull. The guide's core correspondence window (1941-1961) postdates this hull's 1938-40 construction; BuShips records for the build would sit in predecessor/earlier series. NARA catalog API v2 requires an API key (not available at research time); per-hull holdings not enumerated.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-madison-dd425-08