Evidence
19 evidence entries recorded; each entry has a stable permalink (#ev-1 … #ev-19).
-
[1]research packet hn-packet.md (5 sources cited) [other_primary]
- Finding type
- vessel_history
- Finding
- Identity packet verdict: VERDICT: VERIFIED — real identity: USS Richard E. Byrd | Hull: DDG-23 | Designation: guided-missile destroyer (DDG)
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- supporting
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Evidence ID
- uss-richard-e-byrd-ddg23-pkt-hn-packet-md
-
[2]Redman v. A.W. Chesterton Company, No. 3:08-cv-03013-JSW (N.D. Cal., filed 2008-06-18, terminated 2009-02-02); Complaint Exhibit 'A' jobsite table (ECF No. 11-2, internal p.14 of 55) and Plaintiff's Responses to Defendants' Standard Interrogatories, Set Two (Wrongful Death) (ECF No. 11-3, internal p.9 of 56), San Francisco Superior Court No. 274617 [court_record]
- Locator
- ECF No. 11 (Rosenthal Declaration, 323-pp. RECAP exhibit set): jobsite table 'USS RICHARD E. BYRD / Norfolk Naval Shipyard / 1/1/1974-12/31/1984' at PDF p.19 (Doc 11-2 internal p.14 of 56 complaint Exhibit A); class roster line 'USS Richard E. Byrd (DDG-23)' at PDF p.69 (Doc 11-3 internal p.9 of 56, Set-Two interrogatory responses); Norfolk NSY work narrative at PDF p.66 (Doc 11-3 internal p.6)
- Finding type
- litigation_documented
- Finding
- Docketed asbestos wrongful-death case in which this hull is named twice. First, an individualized allegation: the complaint's Exhibit 'A' jobsite table asserts 'Decedent RONALD REDMAN's exposure stemmed from occupational exposure to asbestos and asbestos-containing products while working as a Pipefitter and Steamfitter ... present at Decedent's jobsites, which include but are not limited to the sites listed below,' and the table lists 'USS RICHARD E. BYRD | Norfolk Naval Shipyard | BD 1/1/1974 | ED 12/31/1984' (one of ~70 vessels at Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Newport News, and San Diego 32nd St. Naval Station). Second, the plaintiff's Set-Two interrogatory responses embed a complete 'Ships of the Charles F. Adams class' roster (DDG-2 through DDG-24) expressly naming 'USS Richard E. Byrd (DDG-23),' tied to plaintiffs' assertion that Adams-class destroyers operated Griscom-Russell distilling plants (Viad Corp. sued as alleged successor-in-interest to Griscom-Russell Company). The responses recite that Redman worked 1974-1984 in Norfolk Naval Shipyard's design/engineering division, boarding vessels under overhaul 'either at NORFOLK NAVAL or at the San Diego 32nd St. Naval Station,' investigating propulsion-plant and engineering-space conflicts while trades around him disturbed asbestos-containing insulation, gaskets, and packing.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- context
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-28
- Study period
- 1974-1984 (alleged jobsite window); 2008-2009 (litigation)
- Population
- Ronald D. Redman (decedent, pipefitter/steamfitter, d. 2007-10-21 mesothelioma); Jeri Redman (surviving spouse); shipyard overhaul trades
- Limitations
- Pleading/discovery-stage allegations (complaint jobsite table and plaintiff's own interrogatory answers), unadjudicated - classified at the less-final stage, never elevated. The jobsite-table row asserts the vessel as one of ~70 jobsites over a blanket 1974-84 window; the document does not place the decedent aboard DDG-23 on any specific date, and the responses themselves say the list 'is not an exhaustive description.' Notably, this hull's one documented Norfolk Naval Shipyard overhaul (21 Nov 1967 - 30 May 1968, DANFS) predates the alleged window, though the ship remained Norfolk-homeported. Does not establish exposure aboard this hull, asbestos presence, product identity, quantities, or legal eligibility. Merits history beyond the 2008 removal/remand briefing not located.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-richard-e-byrd-ddg23-01
-
[3]Shepard v. Air & Liquid Systems Corp., No. 1:12-cv-00143 (D.R.I., removed from R.I. Superior Court; filed 2012-02-29, terminated 2017-08-11); Report and Recommendation re Foster Wheeler Motion for Summary Judgment (ECF No. 430), ECF No. 594 (Mag. J. Lincoln D. Almond, issued 2015-05-13), 14 pp. RECAP gov.uscourts.rid.32069.594.0 [court_record]
- Locator
- ECF No. 594, R&R pp.1-7 (caption through the DDG-23 Statement of Facts section 'III. U.S.S. Richard E. Byrd' and Technical-Manual discussion); DDG-23 section at PDF pp.5-7
- Finding type
- litigation_documented
- Finding
- Dispositive-motion-stage record litigating exposure aboard this hull: plaintiff alleged decedent Roy Shepherd, a U.S. Navy boiler tender 1964-1977, was injured by asbestos exposure aboard various ships including USS Byrd (DDG-23). The R&R's Statement of Facts recites, from the defendant's own statement of facts, that 'Foster Wheeler concedes that it manufactured some of the boilers on the U.S.S. Hammerberg, U.S.S. Byrd and U.S.S. Farragut' and that 'Foster Wheeler manufactured the four boilers installed on the U.S.S. Byrd' (DDG-23, 1,275-psi four-burner boilers per shipmate testimony). Deposition record: Shepherd performed preventative maintenance in a Byrd fireroom; shipmate Howard Tiffner (aboard ~Jan 1971-Jan 1976) testified to observing Shepherd 'punching tubes' on boilers; per the plaintiff's statement of additional facts, every 2,000 hours the boilers were torn down and gaskets (manway/hand-hole/superheater-door) scraped off with power brushes and replaced; Captain Moore testified Shepherd 'would have been exposed to some of the Flexitallic asbestos spiral wound gaskets used to attach valves to boiler components.' Plaintiff also asserted a Foster Wheeler Technical Manual for Main Boilers 'on the DDG 23 to DDG 27' (May 1965) documenting asbestos-containing components supplied and specified. The magistrate recommended Foster Wheeler's summary-judgment motion be DENIED.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- supporting
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-28
- Study period
- 1964-1977 (alleged service/exposure); 2012-2015 (litigation)
- Population
- Roy Shepherd (decedent, boiler tender USN 1964-1977); Shirley Shepherd (plaintiff); Byrd fireroom personnel incl. Howard Tiffner ~1971-1976
- Limitations
- Strongest litigation record for this hull but still below a trial finding or affirmed judgment: an R&R recommending SJ denial finds only that a triable issue exists, viewing the record in plaintiff's favor - exposure aboard was litigated and survived a dispositive-motion recommendation, not adjudicated. The FW concession covers boiler manufacture, not asbestos content of the boilers; asbestos content rests on plaintiff-asserted technical-manual claims and expert/witness testimony in a contested record. The R&R states Byrd 'was stationed in Newport, Rhode Island' - DANFS records Norfolk as the homeport through January 1974 (minor record discrepancy; Newport was Shepherd's and other ships' station). Whether the district judge adopted the R&R, and the case's merits outcome, are not confirmed in the public record reviewed (case terminated 2017-08-11).
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-richard-e-byrd-ddg23-16
-
[4]Ray Henderson v. Federal-Mogul Asbestos Personal Injury Trust et al., No. 2:26-cv-04650-HDV-PVC (C.D. Cal., removed from Ventura County Superior Court No. 2026CUAS061442, filed 2026-04-30, active); Complaint Exhibit 'A' jobsite listing (ECF No. 1-1, pp.51-52 of 55), 55-pp. RECAP gov.uscourts.cacd.1018045.1.1_1 [court_record]
- Locator
- ECF No. 1-1 (Notice of Removal attachments - Summons and Complaint), Exhibit 'A' at PDF pp.51-52 (Navy service jobsite block naming USS Richard E. Byrd (DDG-23))
- Finding type
- litigation_documented
- Finding
- Active asbestos personal-injury complaint naming this hull as a jobsite: plaintiff Ray Henderson, alleging an asbestos-caused disease 'including but not limited to asbestosis and other lung disease,' pleads exposure 'at job sites including, but not limited to' a Navy service block - EMPLOYER: United States Navy; DATE: 1964-1984; JOB DUTIES: Seaman/Gunners Mate; JOB SITE: 'Various naval bases and ships including but not limited to: Hunter's Point Naval Shipyard, Long Beach Naval Shipyard, Naval Air Station Point Mugu, Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Newport News Shipyard, Philadelphia Navaly [sic] Shipyard, Naval Station Mayport, USS Salamonie (AO-26), USS Canberra (CA-70/CAG-2), USS America (CV-66), USS Tattnall (DDG-19), USS Richard E. Byrd (DDG-23), USS Mitscher (DL-2 / DDG-35).' The complaint also alleges secondary exposure via family members (Kentucky mechanics/carpenters). Removed by defendant Foster Wheeler LLC 2026-04-30.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- context
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-28
- Study period
- 1964-1984 (alleged service/exposure); 2026 (litigation, pending)
- Population
- Ray Henderson (plaintiff, USN seaman/gunner's mate 1964-1984); Brady Henderson and Billy Joe Henderson (family members, alleged secondary-exposure pathway)
- Limitations
- Pleading-stage allegation, unadjudicated: a standard-form complaint's jobsite enumeration ('including but not limited to' 6 named ships among 7 bases) asserting the plaintiff served aboard or worked on these vessels as a seaman/gunner's mate 1964-1984; does not place plaintiff aboard DDG-23 on any specific date and does not establish asbestos aboard this hull, exposure, product identity, or legal eligibility. Case is newly filed (2026) and unresolved.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-richard-e-byrd-ddg23-17
-
[5]In re: Asbestos Products Liability Litigation (No. VI), MDL No. 875 (JPML/E.D. Pa.): ECF No. 8856-4 (filed 2012-06-29, 31 pp.) and ECF No. 8916-3 (filed 2012-08-08, 39 pp.) - complaint Exhibit 'A' service-history tables; ECF No. 7717-3 (filed 2011-08-18, 22 pp.) - discovery attachment re decedent Gerald Cain (Puget Sound Naval Shipyard insulator, 1959-1979) listing ships worked aboard [court_record]
- Locator
- ECF No. 8856-4 at PDF p.14 and ECF No. 8916-3 at PDF p.22 (identical Exhibit 'A' tables; 'RICHARD E. BYRD (DDG-23) Machinist Mate (Senior Chief) 11/1976-7/1978'); ECF No. 7717-3 at PDF p.12 ('R. E. Byrd (DDG-23)' in the Cain PSNS vessel list)
- Finding type
- litigation_documented
- Finding
- Three MDL-875 member-case documents name this hull, verified by page-image OCR of the scanned filings. (a) Two filings (ECF 8856-4 p.14 and 8916-3 p.22) reproduce the same complaint Exhibit 'A' service-history table: a career Navy Machinist Mate whose assignments run NTC Great Lakes 1957 - USS Uhlman (DD-687) - NTC San Diego - USS Hornet (CVS-12) - Hunters Point NSY - instructor tours - USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) - USS Kitty Hawk (CVA-63) - USS Henry W. Tucker (DD-875) - 'RICHARD E. BYRD (DDG-23) | Machinist Mate (Senior Chief) | 11/1976-7/1978.' (b) ECF 7717-3 p.12: attorneys' information listing 'the ships the decedent worked aboard while employed at PSNS' for insulator Gerald Cain (1959-1979), including 'R. E. Byrd (DDG-23)' among ~60 hulls. The exposure-product lists in these filings include Foster-Wheeler main boilers and condensers.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- context
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-28
- Study period
- 1976-1978 (alleged DDG-23 service); 1959-1979 (Cain PSNS window); 2011-2012 (filings)
- Population
- Unnamed plaintiff Machinist Mate (Senior Chief) alleged aboard DDG-23 11/1976-7/1978; Gerald Cain (decedent, PSNS insulator 1959-1979)
- Limitations
- Pleading/discovery-stage allegations, unadjudicated: complaint service tables and a discovery attachment assert this hull as a duty station (machinist mate, Nov 1976-Jul 1978) or a vessel worked aboard at PSNS; the 'include, but are not limited to' framing is standard-form. No specific date or event aboard DDG-23 is asserted in the Cain list, and DANFS records no DDG-23 return to Puget Sound after the 1964 fitting out (the Cain PSNS row is a vessel-worked list, not a yard-period record). Does not establish asbestos aboard, exposure, product identity, or eligibility; member-case merits and dispositions not reviewed.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-richard-e-byrd-ddg23-18
-
[6]Owens-Illinois, Inc.'s Joinder to Defendant Elliot Company's Notice of Removal, ECF No. 50, Siegfried v. 3M Co. et al., No. 2:18-cv-01575-FMO-E (C.D. Cal., filed 2018-03-02) (RECAP) [court_record]
- Locator
- ECF No. 50, p.2 (vessel list, para. 1) and pp.4-7 (Navy insulation specs and Kaylo history, paras. 4-18)
- Finding type
- litigation_documented
- Finding
- Verified negative for this hull: the Siegfried complaint's ~45-vessel exposure list (recited verbatim in the Owens-Illinois removal joinder) names five Charles F. Adams-class sisters - 'USS Henry B. Wilson (DDG-7); USS Towers (DDG-9); USS Robinson (DDG-12); USS Hoel (DDG-13); and USS Waddell (DDG-24)' - followed by 'There are no other exposure allegations related to Owens-Illinois.' USS Richard E. Byrd (DDG-23) does NOT appear; the shared vessel-list case that generated litigation rows for five sister hulls expressly excludes this one. ('USS Robinson' is the plaintiff's misspelling of Robison, DDG-12.) Verified by direct full-text read of the 12-page filing.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- negative_finding
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-28
- Study period
- 2018 (litigation)
- Population
- None - hull absent from the pleading list
- Limitations
- Absence from one plaintiff's vessel list is a negative finding about that pleading, not evidence about this hull's materials or anyone's exposure aboard; it establishes only that the Siegfried allegation does not reach DDG-23. The same filing (paras. 4-11, 15-18) documents Navy insulation specifications 32-I-3/MIL-I-2819 and 32-P-8/MIL-I-2781 and the 1958-04-30 Kaylo production cutoff used in ev-07.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-richard-e-byrd-ddg23-02
-
[7]DANFS, Richard E. Byrd (DDG-23) entry (builder, dates, service narrative through January 1974, namesake biography; verbatim transcription - live NHHC page serves 404 on all patterns tried) [nhhc_danfs]
- Locator
- DANFS entry, specifications block + service narrative + namesake biography
- Finding type
- vessel_history
- Finding
- DANFS record for this hull: 'laid down 12 April 1961 by Todd Shipbuilding Corp., Seattle, Wash.; launched 6 February 1962; sponsored by Mrs. Richard E. Byrd, whose daughter, Mrs. Robert G. Breyer, acted as proxy sponsor for the admiral's wife; and commissioned 7 March 1964, Comdr. Walter G. Lessman in command.' Specs block: dp. 3,370; l. 437'; b. 47'; dr. 20'; s. 35 k.; cpl. 354; a. Tartar, ASROC, 2 5", 2 21" lt.; cl. Charles F. Adams. Service: 45-day fitting out at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton; homeport Norfolk via Panama Canal (arrived 14 June 1964); two-month post-shakedown availability at Norfolk Naval Shipyard; Mediterranean deployments with the 6th Fleet beginning 6 January 1965 (Destroyer Division 182); Davis Strait missile test January 1966; second Med deployment 29 March-12 August 1966; Brooklyn Naval Shipyard call 18 September-7 October 1966; rescue of Lt.(jg) John F. Dickinson off Jacksonville January 1967; third Med deployment from 2 May 1967 - member of the force that rendezvoused with the damaged Liberty (AGTR-5) 9 June 1967; Norfolk Naval Shipyard overhaul 21 November 1967-30 May 1968; NATO exercise Silver Tower September 1968; fourth Med deployment 15 November 1968-27 May 1969; Richard Evelyn Byrd Hall dedication, Gloucester Point, 6 October 1969; fifth Med deployment April-November 1970; overhaul and refresher training 1971; Med deployments December 1971-June 1972 and May-December 1973. Entry ends at Norfolk, January 1974.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- supporting
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-28
- Study period
- 1961-1974
- Population
- Todd Seattle construction trades 1961-64; crew 1964-1990 (design complement 354)
- Limitations
- DANFS documents identity, builder, and service history, not materials or asbestos content; the published entry ends January 1974 (compiled ca. 1974) so the 1974-1990 career rests on secondary sources. Mirror transcription cited because the live NHHC page 404s; identical text independently mirrored by seaforces.org, confirming fidelity. The yard-period asbestos scope of the PSNS fitting out, NNSY post-shakedown availability, and the 1967-68 and 1971 overhauls is not addressed by this source.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-richard-e-byrd-ddg23-03
-
[8]Naval Vessel Register ship detail, RICHARD E BYRD (DDG 23), UIC 04690 (NAVSEA/NAVSHIPSO official registry page, Wayback capture 2011-05-03) [other_primary]
- Locator
- NVR ship-data table (vessel status, milestone dates, custodian)
- Finding type
- vessel_history
- Finding
- Official register record for this hull: Class 'DDG 2'; Builder 'TODD PAC/SEATTLE'; Award Date 11/03/1960; Keel 04/12/1961; Launch 02/06/1962; Delivery 02/26/1964; Commission 03/07/1964; Decommission 04/27/1990 (26.1 years commission to decommission); Stricken 10/01/1992; status 'Disposed of through the Security Assistance Program (SAP), transferred, Foreign Assistance Act (FAA) Section 516, Southern Region Amendment,' date status changed 08/26/1993, Custodian GREECE; age since launch at disposal 31.5 years.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- supporting
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-28
- Study period
- 1960-1993
- Population
- None (administrative record)
- Limitations
- NVR documents milestones and disposal status only - no materials, asbestos, or hazmat detail; the record does not address the post-transfer hulk's 2003 sinking. Legacy-format Wayback capture cited; the current nvr.mil page for this disposed hull did not render ship data on fetch. Stricken date (10/01/1992) vs. transfer status date (08/26/1993) is an NVR-internal sequence, not a conflict - the ship was stricken and then the transfer was effected.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-richard-e-byrd-ddg23-04
-
[9]Pub.L. 103-54 (H.R. 2561, 103d Cong., enacted 1993-07-28), sec. (d) GREECE - statutory authorization for the transfer of RICHARD E. BYRD (DDG 23) (text via GovTrack mirror of the enrolled bill) [other_primary]
- Locator
- H.R. 2561 (103d Cong.) sec. (d); Pub.L. 103-54; GovTrack bill text and action history
- Finding type
- vessel_history
- Finding
- Public Law naming this hull: '(d) GREECE - The Secretary of the Navy is authorized to transfer to the Government of Greece the CHARLES F. ADAMS class guided missile destroyer RICHARD E. BYRD (DDG 23). Such transfer shall be on a grant basis under section 516 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2321j; relating to transfers of excess defense articles).' Enacted into law 28 July 1993 (signed by the President); the NVR records the resulting transfer effective 26 August 1993 with custodian Greece.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- supporting
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-28
- Study period
- 1993
- Population
- None (statutory record)
- Limitations
- Statutory authorization and NVR disposition confirm the transfer event only; the law does not describe vessel condition, materials, or hazmat content at transfer, and the hulk's subsequent use (cannibalization) and sinking were matters of Greek custody undocumented in U.S. public records located.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-richard-e-byrd-ddg23-05
-
[10]NavSource Destroyer Photo Index, USS Richard E. Byrd (DDG-23) - building data, class characteristics, fate line; consistent secondary detail at seaforces.org and hullnumber.com; StrategyPage surface-forces note on the 2003 Greek target sinking [other_primary]
- Locator
- NavSource page - 'Operational and Building Data' block and 'Fate' line; hullnumber.com DDG-23 page; sprorgnsm.strategypage.com htmw/htsurf/articles/20040521.aspx
- Finding type
- vessel_history
- Finding
- Secondary compilation record for this hull: class Charles F. Adams 'As Built'; displacement 4,526 t full; 437' oa x 47' x 15' max; armament 2x 5"/54 RF (2x1), Tartar SAM (1x1 Mk 13), ASROC (1x8), 6x 12.75" Mk 32 ASW TT (2x3); machinery 70,000 shp geared turbines, 2 screws; 33 kt; range 4,500 nm at 20 kt; crew 333-350; callsign NHSN, tactical voice call 'SKY ROCKET' (ca. 1968). Building data consistent with DANFS/NVR (laid down Todd-Pacific Shipyards Seattle 4/12/1961, launched 2/6/1962, commissioned 3/7/1964, decommissioned 4/27/1990, stricken 10/1/1992). Fate line: 'To Greece October 1 1992 and cannibalized for spare parts. Remains sunk as a taget [sic] June 19 2003.' Consistent secondary reporting: hulk towed to Salamis 12 October 1993 and cannibalized for the four ex-US Adams-class destroyers in Hellenic service (hullnumber.com); sunk by the Greek navy as a target off Crete in 2003 (StrategyPage, which mistypes the hull as 'DDG-44' - DDG-44 was William V. Pratt).
- Verification
- partial
- Role
- context
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-28
- Study period
- 1961-2003
- Population
- Greek navy salvage/cannibalization workers 1993-2003 (unverified population)
- Limitations
- Secondary photographic-history compilation and defense-press note - consistent with NVR/DANFS on all dates; the October 1992 'to Greece' framing telescopes the stricken/transfer sequence (stricken 10/01/1992; transfer effected 8/26/1993 per NVR). Not official sources; no asbestos content; the 2003 sinking's precise location and preparing authority are unverified.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-richard-e-byrd-ddg23-06
-
[11]New York Times (Reuters), 'Around the World; Rebels in Portugal Fire Grenades at NATO Ships' (1985-01-29, Sec. A p.7); Corfu incident per contemporaneous press (Observer-Reporter 1975-01-27; Morning Record 1975-01-28; Straits Times 1975-01-29) [reputable_press]
- Locator
- NYT archive item, 1985-01-29; Corfu wire stories 1975-01-27/28/29 as indexed by secondary compilations
- Finding type
- historical_record
- Finding
- Post-DANFS service events documented by press: 28 January 1985, at the close of a Lisbon port visit opening a six-month North Atlantic cruise, Richard E. Byrd and five other NATO warships at Alcantara dock came under mortar/grenade fire claimed by the leftist Forcas Populares 25 de Abril - no damage (NYT/Reuters). On 26 January 1975, two officers were mobbed by demonstrators on Corfu amid Cyprus-crisis protests; the port visit was curtailed (contemporaneous U.S. and Singapore press; secondary retellings consistent).
- Verification
- partial
- Role
- context
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-28
- Study period
- 1975-1985
- Population
- Crew (1975, 1985)
- Limitations
- Press accounts for service-history completeness only - no asbestos or materials content; the Corfu account rests on contemporaneous wire coverage as retold in secondary compilations; neither event bears on the asbestos record.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-richard-e-byrd-ddg23-07
-
[12]DANFS/NavSource specifications (Charles F. Adams class; 4-boiler geared-steam plant) + Siegfried v. 3M ECF No. 50 paras. 4-11 (Navy insulation specifications 32-I-3/MIL-I-2819 and 32-P-8/MIL-I-2781; Owens-Illinois Kaylo production 1948-1958-04-30) + Atlas shipyard dataset, 'todd-shipyards' record (yard-level documented asbestos products incl. steam-pipe lagging, turbine insulation, valve gaskets, pump packings, asbestos cement, spray-applied materials, pre-formed blocks and sheets, vinyl asbestos floor tiles) [other_primary]
- Locator
- DANFS spec block (losthistory/hazegray transcription); NavSource characteristics; Siegfried ECF 50 paras. 4-18; shipyards.json record 'todd-shipyards'
- Finding type
- asbestos_application
- Finding
- Era/class inference only: a Charles F. Adams-class destroyer built 1961-64 with a four-boiler high-pressure steam plant (NavSource: 70,000 shp, geared turbines, 2 screws; class-standard Foster Wheeler-type 1,275-psi boilers per secondary spec references) would have carried period-standard asbestos thermal insulation, steam-line lagging, gaskets, packing, and fireproofing. The Siegfried filing documents that Navy specifications 32-I-3/MIL-I-2819 (block) and 32-P-8/MIL-I-2781 (pipe) governed asbestos thermal insulation for Navy ships of the era. Builder Todd's Seattle yard is documented at yard level in the Atlas dataset (corporate record 'todd-shipyards,' which includes the Seattle-area operations litigated in Herring v. Texaco). Boundary note: Owens-Illinois ceased Kaylo manufacture/sale 1958-04-30 (per the filing) - nearly three years BEFORE this hull's keel laying (1961-04-12) - so Kaylo falls outside her original-construction window.
- Verification
- inferred
- Role
- supporting
- Documentation level
- class_or_era
- Accessed
- 2026-09-28
- Study period
- 1961-2003
- Population
- Todd Seattle construction trades 1961-64; crew 1964-1990; overhaul, cannibalization, and disposal workers
- Limitations
- Class/era and builder-yard inference only - no hull-specific insulation survey, BUSHIPS materials list, or shipyard work package was located; this row adds context, not an independent ship-specific finding. Kaylo outside the construction window does not exclude other insulation products or later repair-era material from residual stock - installation of any specific product aboard is unproven.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-richard-e-byrd-ddg23-08
-
[13]Herring v. Texaco, Inc., 161 Wn.2d 189, 165 P.3d 4 (Wash. 2007) (No. 78774-3, filed 2007-08-09) - official Washington Courts opinion page [court_record]
- Locator
- Herring v. Texaco opinion paras. 1-7 (exposure history, bankruptcy, disposition)
- Finding type
- litigation_documented
- Finding
- Builder-yard asbestos exposure documented for the era covering this hull's construction: 'During the 1960s and early 1970s, Roger Herring, a member of the Asbestos Workers Union Local 7, worked for subcontractors of Todd Shipyards at Todd's work sites. Herring's asbestos exposure ultimately caused fatal mesothelioma' (opinion para. 1). Todd declared Chapter 11 in 1987; the Supreme Court of Washington held the bankruptcy discharged the claim (reversing the Court of Appeals and reinstating dismissal). King County (Seattle) venue and 'Todd's work sites' context tie the record to Todd's Seattle-area operations - the yard that built this hull in 1961-64.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- context
- Documentation level
- class_or_era
- Accessed
- 2026-09-28
- Study period
- 1960s-2007
- Population
- Todd Shipyards subcontractor insulation workers, Seattle-area sites, 1960s-early 1970s
- Limitations
- Yard-level litigation record, not a hull-specific finding: the opinion documents asbestos exposure at Todd's work sites during the era, not necessarily aboard this hull or its build contract. The merits disposition (bankruptcy bar) is procedural; it neither affirms nor negates exposure aboard DDG-23. Establishes that asbestos insulation work at the builder's yard in the build window caused documented disease.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-richard-e-byrd-ddg23-09
-
[14]Mangold, C.A., Beckett, R.R., & Bessmer, D.J., 'Asbestos Exposure and Control at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard' (1970-03, DTIC-indexed Navy industrial-hygiene report); Beckett, R.R., 'Asbestos exposure control at Puget Sound naval shipyard,' Environmental Research 11(2):248-260 (1976), doi:10.1016/0013-9351(76)90083-9; Hollins, D.M., Paustenbach, D.J., Clark, K., & Mangold, C.A., 'A Visual Historical Review of Exposure to Asbestos at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard (1962-1972),' J. Toxicol. Environ. Health B 12(2):124-156 (2009), PMID 19235622 [other_primary]
- Locator
- DTIC record abstract (exa.ai library mirror); Environmental Research citation; JTEH-B abstract via EPA HERO record 2595959
- Finding type
- gov_survey
- Finding
- Fitting-out-yard asbestos exposure documentation: asbestos insulation work at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard - where this hull underwent its 45-day fitting out in spring 1964 - is documented for the exact era. The 1970 Navy PSNS study reported 21% of pipe coverers and insulators handling asbestos showed pulmonary abnormalities (vs. 3.5% of boilermakers and under 1% of clerical controls), with time-weighted exposures below the then-current TLV; the Hollins et al. 2009 review presents PSNS shipyard asbestos conditions 1962-1972 as representative of military shipyards of the time.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- context
- Documentation level
- class_or_era
- Accessed
- 2026-09-28
- Study period
- 1962-1976
- Population
- PSNS pipe coverers/insulators and shipboard workers, 1960s-early 1970s
- Limitations
- Yard-level occupational-health literature, not a hull-specific finding: documents asbestos insulation work and disease rates among PSNS trades in the era of this hull's fitting out, not aboard DDG-23 itself. Establishes exposure conditions at the yard, not exposure of this hull's crew or to this hull's materials.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-richard-e-byrd-ddg23-10
-
[15]GAO HRD-80-2, 'Navy Efforts To Protect Workers From Asbestos Exposure' (Oct. 18, 1979) - full text verified against the Wayback-captured gao.gov PDF (gao.gov asset blocks automated fetch; Justia mirror also carries the report) [gao]
- Locator
- GAO HRD-80-2, Enclosure I cost table ('DESTROYER: DD & DDG' row) and letter text (1973 spec change; May 1978 deliveries; Oct. 1975 policy)
- Finding type
- regulatory
- Finding
- Program-level record covering the DDG fleet in this hull's active era: 'According to the Navy, although all ships contain some asbestos in such components as clutches and electric cables, most ships delivered in the last several years or now under construction have little or no asbestos as thermal insulation, which was the Navy's major use of asbestos aboard ships.' Product specifications were changed in 1973 to require asbestos-free materials, yet 'asbestos materials had already been purchased and in some cases installed in ships under construction. Therefore, some ships were delivered with asbestos insulation as late as May 1978.' Navy's October 1975 policy (NAVSEAINST 5100.2) removed/replaced only damaged or necessarily disturbed insulation; a 1979 Navy cost table for removing asbestos thermal insulation from piping, equipment, and ventilation ducting carries 'DESTROYER: DD & DDG' at $5.37M per ship across 65 active ships ($349.05M) - the Navy's own planning figure premised on asbestos thermal insulation being present aboard the active DD/DDG fleet, which then included this hull.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- context
- Documentation level
- class_or_era
- Accessed
- 2026-09-28
- Study period
- 1973-1979
- Population
- Navy shipyard and shipboard workers (program level); active destroyer/DDG fleet 1979
- Limitations
- Class/program-level, not hull-specific: the DD & DDG line is a fleet-category estimate, not an enumeration naming DDG-23; GAO fieldwork yards were Long Beach and Norfolk Naval Shipyards; the report does not establish what material was aboard this hull, what was removed during any availability, or any individual exposure. Full text verified via Wayback capture of the gao.gov PDF; gao.gov returns 403 to automated fetch (standing fleet limitation).
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-richard-e-byrd-ddg23-11
-
[16]Australian Department of Veterans' Affairs, CLIK policy library 4.4.11, 'Claims relating to asbestos exposure while serving on certain RAN vessels' - official list of RAN ships on which asbestos 'was likely to be present' (1940-2010), including the Perth class [other_primary]
- Locator
- CLIK/DVA policy 4.4.11, 'Asbestos on RAN Ships' list (Perth II, Hobart II, Brisbane II entries)
- Finding type
- regulatory
- Finding
- Sister-class government record: the Australian DVA's compensation policy lists Royal Australian Navy vessels for which asbestos presence is presumed without case-by-case confirmation for service 1 January 1940 - 31 December 2010; the list includes HMAS Perth II, HMAS Hobart II, and HMAS Brisbane II - the Perth class, the RAN's modified Charles F. Adams-class derivatives built to the same design lineage as this hull. The same policy records that 'Navy was directed to remove asbestos from ships by 31 December 2010.'
- Verification
- partial
- Role
- context
- Documentation level
- class_or_era
- Accessed
- 2026-09-28
- Study period
- 1965-2010
- Population
- RAN crews aboard Perth-class hulls (presumption class)
- Limitations
- Foreign-government presumption for RAN vessels only - the Perth class are modified derivatives (Defoe-built, Ikara/different fittings), not USN Adams hulls; documents class-level asbestos presence in the design family, not aboard DDG-23. The CLIK page was unreachable for direct fetch at access time (site timeout); content verified via the search-index capture of the official page text.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-richard-e-byrd-ddg23-12
-
[17]National Archives, Navy Deck Logs in the National Archives Catalog - Richard E. Byrd (DDG-23) holdings; NARA RG 24 Entry 118 (College Park) deck-log series; NHHC archival-materials listings for the hull; NARA RG19 General Information Books (per-vessel material specifications) as the class/archival lead [other_primary]
- Locator
- archives.gov/research/military/logbooks/navy-online; NHHC DANFS 'Location of Archival Materials' convention; NARA RG19 GIB series
- Finding type
- historical_record
- Finding
- Primary-source leads for hull-level research: NARA holds deck logs for this hull (RG 24 Entry 118, College Park; the Vietnam-era digitization project covered combat-era logs online). NHHC lists archival materials (command histories/operations reports) for Cold War-era hulls of this class. NARA RG19 'General Information Books' hold per-vessel material specifications as an archival lead for hull-level outfit/materiel data. These records are the likeliest public route to any hull-specific material, repair, or hazmat disclosures.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- archival_lead
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-28
- Study period
- 1964-1990
- Limitations
- Archival leads only - logs and command histories were not individually reviewed for asbestos content; their existence documents availability, not any exposure fact. Whether a General Information Book for DDG-23 exists in the digitized series was not confirmed this session.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-richard-e-byrd-ddg23-13
-
[18]United States v. Breen, 15 C.M.A. 658, 36 C.M.R. 156 (U.S. Court of Military Appeals, filed 1966-01-28, No. 19,020) - the sole opinion hit for both the exact-name and 'DDG-23' queries; United States v. Quinn, No. 3:21-cr-00091 (S.D. Iowa) - non-qualifying docket hit (gang-name token collision) [other_primary]
- Locator
- Opinion opening paragraph (court convened aboard USS Richard E. Byrd (DDG-23))
- Finding type
- litigation_documented
- Finding
- CourtListener sweep non-qualifying hits: (a) opinion hit United States v. Breen, 15 C.M.A. 658 - 'At his special court-martial, convened aboard the U.S.S. RICHARD E. BYRD (DDG-23), the accused entered pleas of guilty to charges of larceny, forgery, and unlawful entry...' - a UCMJ criminal appeal naming the hull as the venue of the court-martial, with no asbestos, materials, or exposure content; (b) docket hit United States v. Quinn, No. 3:21-cr-00091 (S.D. Iowa, filed 2021-09-07, terminated 2023-08-09) - a gang-related criminal trial transcript whose 'DDG' references are to 'Dae Dae Gang' (hashtag/gang name), not the destroyer - pure token collision, classified non-qualifying on full-text check of the 318-pp. transcript.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- context
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-28
- Study period
- 1966
- Population
- William E. Breen, Seaman USN (appellee)
- Limitations
- Name-collision-type hit: the hull is venue, not an exposure site; establishes nothing about asbestos or materials aboard. Carried as a classified sweep result per batch rules (every hit classified).
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-richard-e-byrd-ddg23-14
-
[19]Batch-3926 search ledger (this record): NHHC DANFS (live 404, mirrors used); NVR (Wayback captures); CourtListener API v4 opinion sweep (name/hull queries); RECAP full-text verification (Siegfried ECF 50; Redman ECF 11, 323-pp. OCR); Pub.L. 103-54/GovTrack; NavSource via Wayback; GAO HRD-80-2 full text; Australian DVA CLIK; PSNS industrial-hygiene literature; Todd-shipyards yard dataset [other_primary]
- Locator
- search_ledger rows sl-uss-richard-e-byrd-ddg23-01 through -12
- Finding type
- historical_record
- Finding
- No qualifying ship-specific asbestos record located in the documentary sense: no asbestos survey, abatement contract, material inventory, hazmat disclosure, or adjudicated exposure finding for this hull was found in the public sources searched (see search_ledger). All hull-named asbestos documents are litigation-stage records: the Shepard R&R (dispositive-motion stage, boiler-manufacture concession and gasket-work testimony aboard - ev-16), the Redman complaint jobsite table and class roster (ev-01), the Henderson complaint jobsite list (ev-17), and three MDL-875 member-case filings (ev-18) - all unadjudicated; plus the Siegfried list's verified exclusion of this hull (ev-02). Non-qualifying sweep hits: a 1966 UCMJ court-martial venue opinion and a gang-trial 'DDG' token collision (ev-14).
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- negative_finding
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-28
- Study period
- 2026-09-28
- Population
- None
- Limitations
- Absence of a located public record does not prove absence of asbestos aboard - a 1961-64 steam-plant destroyer is era-consistent with extensive ACM; it establishes only that no hull-specific documentation is public. Does not establish or defeat any claim of exposure or legal eligibility. NARA deck logs, NHHC command-operation reports, and RG19 material specifications remain the archival leads.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-richard-e-byrd-ddg23-15