Evidence
11 evidence entries recorded; each entry has a stable permalink (#ev-1 … #ev-11).
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[1]DANFS, 'Millicoma' (AO-73) entry, Naval History and Heritage Command (verbatim transcription at hazegray.org, read via Wayback capture; live NHHC page returned 404 on 2026-09-24 - same NHHC link rot noted in BATCH-01) [nhhc_danfs]
- Locator
- DANFS entry - spec line and narrative paragraphs; hazegray transcription retrieved via Wayback capture
- Finding type
- vessel_history
- Finding
- DANFS records (entry glosses the name: 'a tributary of the Coos River in southwestern Oregon' - the Millicoma River): laid down as King's Mountain under Maritime Commission contract by Sun Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co., Chester, Pa., 1942-08-04; subsequently renamed Conestoga; launched as Millicoma 1943-01-21, sponsored by Mrs. M. G. Hogan; acquired by the Navy 1943-01-30; converted for Navy use by Maryland Drydock Co., Baltimore, Md.; commissioned at Baltimore 1943-03-05, Lt. Comdr. George E. Bly in command. Departed Norfolk 1943-04-20 via Dutch West Indies and Panama Canal to Fiji; South Pacific runs out of San Pedro (Society Islands, New Hebrides, New Caledonia, New Zealand) through 1943; departed San Pedro 1944-01-13 for island-hopping support - station oiler Majuro from 1944-02-04, refueled TF 58 north of the Solomons 1944-03-31 to 04-15 after western Carolines strikes, overhaul San Pedro May-Jun 1944, Marianas duty off Tinian/Guam/Rota Jul-Aug 1944, TG 30.8 At Sea Logistics Support Group from the Admiralties, fast-carrier fueling Palaus to southern Philippines Sep 1944; Ulithi-based from Dec 1944 - refueled carriers during Jan 1945 Luzon/Formosa/China/Indochina/Ryukyus strikes, Iwo Jima replenishment Feb-Mar 1945 (fuel plus food, medical supplies, ammunition, mail), four Okinawa fueling deployments from 1944-03-13/30/04-22/05-30; 1945-06-04/05 typhoon - sixty-foot waves and 100+ knot winds destroyed fueling booms and cracked foremast; repairs at Ulithi, Okinawa fuel shuttle to war's end; refueled minesweepers off Sasebo Sep 1945 (60+ ships in under 2 days) and in the Yellow Sea off Korea 1945-10-22/25. Arrived San Francisco 1945-11-19, decommissioned 1946-02-21, struck from Navy list 1946-03-12, transferred to Maritime Commission June 1946; reacquired by Navy February 1948, transferred to MSTS 1949-10-01, name reinstated on Navy list 1950-04-28; Korea supply line Jun 1952-Jun 1954; post-Korea primarily Atlantic/Caribbean chartered runs into FY1969. Spec line: dp 5,782; l 523'6"; b 68'; dr 29'11"; s 15 kt; cpl 251; a. 1 5", 4 3", 4 40mm, 12 20mm; cl. Suamico; T. T2-SE-A1. Eight battle stars for WWII service.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- supporting
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-24
- Study period
- 1942-1969
- Population
- USS crew 1943-1946; MSTS civilian mariners 1949-1969
- Limitations
- Official Navy ship history, written ~1969 - narrative ends there; contains no post-1969 disposition and no asbestos, insulation, or materials information. Commanding-officer name reads 'George E. Bly' here vs 'George Enest Ely' in NavSource - unresolved transcription conflict. Does not establish any asbestos fact.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-millicoma-ao73-01
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[2]NavSource Online, Service Ship Photo Archive - USNS Millicoma (T-AOT-73) ex USS Millicoma (AO-73) page (09/19/19073; direct fetch failed, read via Wayback capture) [other_primary]
- Locator
- Page 09/19/19073.htm - class history bullet list, campaign table, and 'AO Specifications' block
- Finding type
- vessel_history
- Finding
- NavSource timeline (compiled from register and secondary data) extends DANFS past 1969: laid down as SS King's Mountain, MC type T2-SE-A1, MC hull 336, Sun Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co., Chester PA; renamed Conestoga; launched as Millicoma 1943-01-21; acquired 1943-01-30; converted at Maryland Drydock Co., Baltimore; commissioned 1943-03-05 (LCDR George Enest Ely). WWII Asiatic-Pacific campaigns tabulated: Marshall Islands (Kwajalein/Majuro 1944-01-29 to 02-08), Marianas (Saipan 1944-06-11 to 08-10), Tinian (1944-07-20 to 08-10), Western Carolines (southern Palaus + Philippine assault 1944-09-06 to 10-14), Leyte (Luzon attacks 1944-10-18/19), Luzon (3rd Fleet support incl. Formosa/China Coast/Nansei Shoto Jan 1945), Iwo Jima (1945-02-23 to 03-05), Okinawa Gunto (1945-03-16 to 06-08). Occupation service 1945-09-02 to 11-07. Decommissioned 1946-02-21 San Francisco; struck 1946-03-12; to Maritime Commission 1946-06-30 for NDRF Suisun Bay; withdrawn 1947-10-31, delivered to American Pacific S.S. for operation under contract to U.S. Navy; assigned MSTS 1949-10-01; reinstated Naval Register 1950-04-28 as USNS Millicoma (T-AO-73); reclassified Oil Transporter (T-AOT-73), date unknown; placed out of service, date unknown; transferred to MARAD 1975-07-16 for NDRF James River Group, Lee Hall, VA; title to MARAD 1977-10-01; struck from Naval Register 1986-03-31; 'Final Disposition, sold for scrapping in Taiwan, 18 March 1987.' Spec block: disp 5,730 lt / 22,380 fl; 523'6" x 68' x 30'10" (lim); 15.3 kt trial; complement 21 officers + 230 enlisted; armament 1x5"/38, 4x3"/50, 4 twin 40mm, 6 twin 20mm; cargo 15,300 DWT (oil 120,400 bbl, gasoline 575,000 gal); propulsion - one GE turbo-electric engine, two Babcock & Wilcox header-type boilers 450 psi/730F, single propeller 8,250 shp; fuel 9,235 bbl.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- supporting
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-24
- Study period
- 1942-1987
- Population
- MSTS/MSC civilian mariners (1949-1975); NDRF custody crews (1946-47, 1975-87)
- Limitations
- Private archival compilation, not an official record - used to carry the record past DANFS's 1969 cutoff. T-AOT reclassification and out-of-service dates listed 'unknown'; Taiwan-scrapping detail rests on this compilation plus the MARAD card annotation; draft (30'10" lim) and shaft-power (8,250 shp) figures differ from DANFS/MARAD values; armament block reflects WWII fit. Contains no asbestos information.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-millicoma-ao73-02
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[3]U.S. Maritime Administration, ShipHistory database - MILLICOMA (T-AO-73/T-AOT-73), Ship History Detail 3372, incl. digitized status cards (MA-383 Reserve Fleet Ship Particulars; MA-20 Record of Ship Sales; 1946 reserve-fleet data card) [marad_nrc]
- Locator
- ShipHistory Detail 3372 - header, milestones, and status-card scans 3372_6259AF.jpg / 3372_6259BF.jpg / 3372_AF.jpg
- Finding type
- vessel_history
- Finding
- MARAD ShipHistory record for this hull: Year Built 1943; Official No. 242867; Shipyard 'Sun Shipbuilding and Drydock'; Naval Auxiliary / AO Oiler; MARAD Type T2-SE-A1; 524 ft x 68 ft; 22,380 t summer / 5,730 t light displacement; name history CONASTOGA -> MILLICOMA (T-AO-73/T-AOT-73); missions WWII, Korean War, Vietnam War. Milestones: Entry 1946-06-30; Withdrawal 1947-10-31 'Return to active service'; Entry 1975-07-16; Acquisition 1977-10-01 ('CUST 1946 NDRF 1946'); Withdrawal 1987-03-18. Digitized cards add: MA-383 (James River entry 1975-07-16 1300 EDT; hull MC-336; 'Navy-MSC' service prior to lay-up; withdrawn 1987-03-18 0930 EST, reason 'Sold for Scrap'; 'Sold for scrap to C.J.W. Shipping and Trading, San Francisco, CA, for $238,000 11/18/86'; SHP field shows 6,000 struck and overwritten 7,240 HP; light displ 5,252 / full load 21,880). MA-20 Record of Ship Sales: contract MA-12050, award 1987-02-02, price $238,000, light ship weight 5,044.05, James River Reserve Fleet location, 'see TALLULAH' cross-reference, remarks 'see 510(i) trade-in by United States Lines (PA) Inc. trade in of MORMACDAWN (Sol. No. EXC-8604)', annotated 'vessel scrapped in Taiwan as of 8/11/8x' (final handwritten digit ambiguous). 1946 data card: 'MILLICOMA AO 73' ex 'Conastoga', T2-SE-A1, Sun S.B. & D.D. Co. 1943, hull 336, entered fleet 1946-06-30, withdrawn 1947-10-31 'delivered to American Pacific SS Co. for Navy'.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- supporting
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-24
- Study period
- 1943-1987
- Limitations
- Authoritative for government custody and sale milestones; status cards are custody/sales documents with no asbestos, materials, or condition fields. Handwritten card annotations partially legible (the 'scrapped in Taiwan' date digit ambiguous; buyer name 'C.J.W. Shipping and Trading' read from card). 'CONASTOGA' spelling differs from DANFS 'Conestoga'. The 1977-10-01 'Acquisition' milestone is read as title transfer consistent with NavSource 'title transferred to MARAD 1977-10-01'. No asbestos information anywhere in the record.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-millicoma-ao73-03
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[4]shipscribe.com, 'U.S. Navy Auxiliary Ships - AO-49 (Suamico) class' page (S. S. Roberts compilation from Naval Vessel Register and Bureau of Ships records) [other_primary]
- Locator
- shipscribe AO-49 class page - construction and disposition table rows for AO-73
- Finding type
- vessel_history
- Finding
- shipscribe's AO-49-class table (compiled from NVR/BuShips data) rows for AO-73 MILLICOMA: construction - acquired 30 Jan 43, builder Sun SB & DD, keel 4 Aug 42, launched 21 Jan 43, commissioned 5 Mar 43; disposition - decomm 1976, struck 31 Mar 86, disposal to MARAD 1 Oct 77, MA sale 2 Feb 87. Confirms Suamico-class designation and corroborates the MARAD/NavSource timeline.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- supporting
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-24
- Study period
- 1942-1987
- Limitations
- Specialist secondary compilation; 'decomm 1976' marks the end of USNS/MSC service (she was never recommissioned as USS) and sits one year after the 1975-07-16 NDRF entry - the exact out-of-service date remains imprecise. No asbestos information.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-millicoma-ao73-04
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[5]Bartel v. American Export Isbrandtsen, 64 F. Supp. 3d 856 (M.D. La. 2014), Civ. A. Nos. 14-257-JJB-RLB / 14-261-JJB-RLB (CourtListener opinion 7310314); affirmed sub nom. Bartel v. Alcoa Steamship Co., 805 F.3d 169 (5th Cir. 2015), Nos. 15-30004/15-30005/15-30032 [court_record]
- Locator
- 64 F. Supp. 3d 856 - R&R 'I. BACKGROUND' (R. Doc. 1 at 3, R. Doc. 1-2) and Ruling adopting R&R; 805 F.3d 169 (5th Cir. Oct. 19, 2015) official CA5 PDF opinions/pub/15/15-30032-CV0.pdf
- Finding type
- litigation_documented
- Finding
- Qualifying asbestos-litigation hit naming this hull, at pleading/removal stage only. The estate of merchant mariner Joseph L. Dennis alleged in a Louisiana state petition (filed 2014-03-12, 19th JDC East Baton Rouge) that he contracted fatal lung cancer from asbestos exposure while working on vessels owned or operated by defendant shipping companies between 1951 and 1993, under the Jones Act and general maritime law. Defendant Mathiasen Tanker Industries removed under the federal-officer statute, alleging that 'while he was its employee between August 31, 1971 and October 7, 1971, Decedent worked on one vessel that Mathiasen operated for the U.S. Navy, Military Sealift Command (MSC): the USNS MILLICOMA' (R. Doc. 1 at 3), attaching the MARAD Vessel Status Card showing title transferred to the Navy 1948-02-12. The magistrate judge's Report and Recommendation recommended remand (Jones Act claims non-removable; removal requirements unmet); the district court adopted the R&R, granted remand, and returned the case to state court. The Fifth Circuit affirmed, holding that merely demonstrating Navy ownership of a vessel does not demonstrate the Navy retained control over daily operations sufficient for removal.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- supporting
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-24
- Study period
- 1971 (alleged service window); 2014-2015 (litigation)
- Population
- Merchant mariner (alleged Mathiasen Tanker Industries employee aboard this hull, 1971-08-31 to 1971-10-07); MSTS/MSC contract-operation crew
- Limitations
- Pleading/removal-stage record - classified at the less-final stage per batch discipline. The Millicoma service window is the defendant's jurisdictional allegation in a removal notice, not a litigated finding; the petition's asbestos allegations are career-wide across many operators' vessels and are not specific to this hull; no exposure aboard this vessel was adjudicated; the federal courts reached only the removability question. Post-remand state-court disposition was not located. The row documents that this hull was Navy-owned and contractor-operated (Mathiasen, for MSC) in Aug-Oct 1971; it establishes nothing about asbestos conditions aboard.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-millicoma-ao73-05
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[6]Keefe v. American Pacific S.S. Co., 110 F. Supp. 853 (S.D. Cal. 1953), No. 14299, Tolin, J. (CourtListener cluster 8734108) [court_record]
- Locator
- 110 F. Supp. 853 - statement of facts (Tolin, J.)
- Finding type
- litigation_documented
- Finding
- A 1953 federal maritime opinion names this hull's USNS incarnation: 'On November 5, 1951, at the Port of San Pedro, California, libelant signed written articles to serve aboard the U.S.N.S. Millicoma in the capacity of oiler at base wages of $241 per month for a voyage not to exceed twelve calendar months.' The case applies maritime wage/articles law to a seaman's claim against the vessel's contract operator - documenting civilian-crewed operation of this hull by American Pacific S.S. Co. under Navy contract in the early MSTS era, consistent with the 1947-10-31 NDRF withdrawal delivery on the MARAD card.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- context
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-24
- Study period
- 1951 (service); 1953 (opinion)
- Population
- Oiler (civilian mariner) aboard this hull, 1951
- Limitations
- NOT asbestos litigation - a maritime wage/articles dispute, classified 'other litigation' per batch discipline. It documents the contract-operator arrangement for this hull in 1951; it establishes nothing about asbestos.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-millicoma-ao73-06
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[7]Lilley v. Johns-Manville Corp., 408 Pa. Super. 83, 596 A.2d 203 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1991); Atlas shipyards.json sun-shipbuilding-chester evidence row ev-sun-shipbuilding-chester-lilley-1991 [court_record]
- Locator
- Pa. Super. opinion, product-identification testimony sections
- Finding type
- litigation_documented
- Finding
- Builder-yard asbestos-litigation context: a 1991 Pennsylvania Superior Court opinion documents product-identification testimony by pipefitter Fred Lilley of asbestos product brands (Unibestos, Caltemp, Pabco, Kaylo, Garlock gaskets, and others) in use at 'the Sun Ship Company' - the Chester, PA yard that built this hull (MC-336, yard hull 275, 1942-43) - during his 1959-1976 employment. Jury verdict for plaintiff affirmed in part.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- context
- Documentation level
- class_or_era
- Accessed
- 2026-09-24
- Study period
- 1959-1991
- Population
- Sun Shipbuilding workers (insulators, pipefitters), 1959-1976 window
- Limitations
- Yard-level documentation, not a hull record - the documented exposure window (1959-1976) postdates this hull's construction by ~17 years and does not establish what materials were used aboard MC-336/AO-73 in 1942-43. Establishes the builder yard as a documented asbestos-exposure site only; no quantity, exposure, or causation for this hull.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-millicoma-ao73-07
-
[8]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 Maritime Commission program under which this 1943 T2-SE-A1 tanker was built - and that wartime demand drove unprecedented asbestos utilization aboard merchant-type hulls.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- context
- Documentation level
- class_or_era
- Accessed
- 2026-09-24
- 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 and does not establish that asbestos was aboard this hull, nor quantity, location, condition, exposure, or causation.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-millicoma-ao73-08
-
[9]Fleischer, W. E., Drinker, P., et al., 'A Health Survey of Pipe Covering Operations in Constructing Naval Vessels,' Journal of Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology 28(1):9-16 (1946) - U.S. Maritime Commission-commissioned industrial hygiene survey [other_primary]
- Locator
- J. Ind. Hyg. Toxicol. 28(1):9-16 (1946), PMID 21016030
- Finding type
- gov_survey
- Finding
- A U.S. Maritime Commission-commissioned industrial hygiene survey of WWII shipyard pipe-covering operations documented amosite asbestos pipe covering and boiler-block insulation being cut and fitted at contract shipyards - the documented product environment at yards of the type and era at which this hull was built (Sun Shipbuilding, Chester, 1942-43).
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- context
- Documentation level
- class_or_era
- Accessed
- 2026-09-24
- Study period
- 1942-1945 (survey era); published 1946
- Population
- Construction trades at WWII contract yards, including Sun Shipbuilding workers on this hull's build (Aug 1942-Jan 1943) and the Maryland Drydock conversion (Feb-Mar 1943)
- Limitations
- Yard/era-level documentation - the survey covered multiple contract yards as a group and names neither Sun Shipbuilding nor this hull; it establishes the documented product environment for construction-period workers, not asbestos presence on this vessel. Does not establish quantity, exposure, or causation for this hull.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-millicoma-ao73-09
-
[10]Batch-1921 search ledger (this record): NHHC/DANFS via Wayback-hazegray; NavSource via Wayback; MARAD ShipHistory Detail 3372 + status-card scans; shipscribe AO-49 class table; ibiblio HyperWar AO-73; NVR; CourtListener opinion and RECAP docket sweeps by name and hull designations [other_primary]
- Locator
- search_ledger rows sl-uss-millicoma-ao73-01 through sl-uss-millicoma-ao73-12
- Finding type
- historical_record
- Finding
- No qualifying ship-specific asbestos-condition record located: no asbestos survey, material schedule, abatement contract, hazmat disclosure, or adjudicated exposure finding naming this hull under any designation (King's Mountain, Conestoga/Conastoga, Millicoma, AO-73, T-AO-73, T-AOT-73, MC-336, ON 242867, IMO 7737420) was found in the public sources searched (see search_ledger). The one docketed asbestos case naming the hull (Bartel, ev-05) is a pleading/removal-stage allegation, unadjudicated; the only other docketed case naming it (Keefe, ev-06) is non-asbestos.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- negative_finding
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-24
- Study period
- 2026-09-24
- Limitations
- Absence of a located public record does not prove absence of asbestos aboard - a 1943 medium-pressure steam tanker is era-consistent with asbestos-containing insulation, and no abatement record was located either. Does not establish presence or absence; does not establish or defeat any exposure claim or legal eligibility.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-millicoma-ao73-10
-
[11]NARA Guide to Federal Records: RG 178 (U.S. Maritime Commission), RG 19 (Bureau of Ships), RG 24 (deck logs); MARAD NDRF custody files; Louisiana 19th Judicial District Court records [other_primary]
- Locator
- archives.gov record-group guides (RG 178, RG 19, RG 24); MARAD ShipHistory card scans; Bartel remand order
- Finding type
- historical_record
- Finding
- Archival leads (not retrieved - research-room or reproduction order required; no spend authorized): NARA RG 24 deck logs for the 1943-46 commissioned period; RG 178 (Maritime Commission) construction/contract records for MC hull 336 / Sun Shipbuilding yard hull 275; RG 19 (Bureau of Ships) records for the 1943 Maryland Drydock conversion and MSTS/MSC-era repair work packages; the MARAD NDRF James River custody correspondence file behind the status cards; and the Dennis estate's post-remand case file in the 19th JDC (East Baton Rouge Parish), where any vessel-specific exposure proof would have been developed.
- Verification
- unverified
- Role
- archival_lead
- Documentation level
- context_only
- Accessed
- 2026-09-24
- Study period
- 1942-1987 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-millicoma-ao73-11