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Did you serve aboard the USS Moinester? This frigate carried asbestos in nearly every compartment. Here is where it was, and who is responsible. The USS Moinester, hull number FF-1097, was a frigate. Public naval references list this equipment aboard the USS Moinester, FF-1097 — insulated and sealed with asbestos. Exposure was worst in the engineering spaces, where the snipes worked — but asbestos lined the whole ship, so all hands were exposed. The companies that made the asbestos equipment aboard — not the Navy — are who asbestos claims are brought against. According to asbestos litigation records, the equipment aboard the USS Moinester from makers such as Combustion Engineering, and Westinghouse allegedly contained asbestos. If you served aboard the USS Moinester and were later diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or another asbestos-related disease, you may have a legal claim against the companies that made the asbestos products used aboard your ship. This is educational information from an independent publisher — not a law firm — and is not legal advice.

USS Moinester (FF-1097) is a documented U.S. Navy frigate. The equipment reference below was extracted from the publicly-available Wikipedia article on this vessel, which cites the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS) — the U.S. Navy’s official ship-history publication maintained by the Naval History and Heritage Command.

Equipment Reference

Equipment Manifest — USS Moinester (FF-1097). 58 machinery/equipment entries identified through ship-specific BUSHIPS documentation. Manufacturers in bold link to documented asbestos-product history on AsbestosIndex.com.
EquipmentManufacturerQtyNotes
Main boilers (V2M type, header type)Combustion Engineering2Hull-specific record: SUPSHIP transmittal EX-1078-24 (Contract N00024-67-C-0220, P.O. DE-5512), 'Soot Blowers for Main Boilers', manufacturer Combustion Engineering, ships 'DE 1078 THRU 1097' (distribution list includes PCO DE 1097).
Boiler soot blowersCopes-VulcanHull-specific record: SUPSHIP transmittal EX-1078-24 (P.O. DE-5512), Combustion Engineering main-boiler soot blowers, Copes-Vulcan drawings, ships DE 1078 THRU 1097 (PCO DE 1097 on distribution).
Main propulsion turbine (H.P. steam turbine)Westinghouse Electric Corp.1Hull-specific record: DE 1078 Class H.P. Bearing Alignment Record (Westinghouse Marine Div., Sunnyvale CA) - DE-1097, H.P. turbine S/N 50V2020, inspected 9-1-70; Avondale transmittal AJN-SSNO 3151 (P.O. DE-5510), vendor Westinghouse Electric, DE 1078 Class (20 vessels).
Main reduction gear (propulsion)Western Gear Corp.1Hull-specific record: Avondale ltr DE1078-3416-SHK and Western Gear Corp. (Lynwood CA) Material Review Board Action Request, Contract N00024-67-C-0220 P.O. DE-5511, 'MAIN REDUCTION GEAR', DE 1078 Class (DE 1078-1097).
Ship service turbine generator (SSTG, 750 KW)Westinghouse Electric Corp.Hull-specific record: SUPSHIP ltr Ser 240-7910 (P.O. DE-5510) '750 KW T.G. Set', Westinghouse Electric Corp., DE 1078 Class; NAVSEC/Westinghouse Sunnyvale SSTG throttle-valve corr. for DE 1052/1078 class SSTG sets.
SSTG attached lube oil pump (IMO type 2E1X-187)DeLaval (IMO Pump)Hull-specific record: NAVSEC 1st Endorsement Ser 260 (DDG37CL) - 'DeLaval IMO type 2E1X-187 pumps ... are installed in FF1052-1097' as SSTG attached lube oil pump (FF-1097 within range).
Emergency diesel generator set (750 KW)Stewart & Stevenson ServicesHull-specific record: SUPSHIP ltr Ser 240-7909 (P.O. DE-5530) '750 KW Diesel Generator Set', Stewart & Stevenson Services, DE 1078 Class.
Main forced draft blowers (turbine-driven)Hardie-Tynes Mfg. Co.4Hull-specific record: Avondale ltr DE1078-1413-FDH and NAVSHIPS travel report DE1078 CL/9530 Ser 330 (P.O. DE-5516), 'FORCED DRAFT BLOWERS', DE 1078 Class - 'Four forced draft blowers are installed on each ship' (Hardie-Tynes Mfg. Co., Birmingham AL).
Forced draft blower lube-oil pumpTuthill Pump Co.Hull-specific record: Avondale ltr DE1078-1413-FDH, Hardie-Tynes forced draft blower (P.O. DE-5516), Tuthill Pump Co. drawings for FD blower lube oil pump assembly, DE 1078 Class.
Forced draft blower steam strainerStrongHull-specific record: SUPSHIP ltr Ser 240-6966 (P.O. DE-5516), Hardie-Tynes forced draft blowers steam strainer - Strong Dwg TA-17844, 1500 PSI special cast steel strainer, DE 1078 Class.
Main air ejector and gland exhaust condenserFoster Wheeler Corp.1Hull-specific record: Foster Wheeler Corp. (Livingston NJ) Approval & Procurement Record for NAVSHIPS 0946-010-7010 (P.O. DE-5515), 'Main Air Ejector and Gland Exhaust Condenser', ships DE-1078 through DE-1097, 20 units.
Distilling plant (12,000 GPD flash type)Aqua-Chem, Inc.Hull-specific record: NAVSEC ltr Ser-126-PMS-380, AQUA-CHEM distilling plant, technical manual 'also applicable to the DE-1078-1097'.
Distilling plant brine overboard eductorSchutte & KoertingHull-specific record: NAVSEC ltr Ser-126-PMS-380, AQUA-CHEM distilling plant brine overboard eductor (Schutte & Koerting Dwg 65-X5054-J), applicable to DE-1078-1097.
Distiller distillate pump motorReliance Electric Company2Hull-specific record: Reliance Electric Co. (Cleveland OH) Electric Motor Certification Data 86761-51A (Contract N00024-67-C-0220, order DE-5502), 'Distiller Distillate Pump', Ship Identification 'DE-1078 thru DE-1097', 2 per ship, driven auxiliary Aqua-Chem Inc.
Instantaneous hot water heater (Model 2D-32C)Aqua-Chem, Inc. (Davis Engineering Div.)Hull-specific record: Aqua-Chem Inc. ships drawings 613 B 7721 / 700 D 7631 (Instantaneous Water Heater 2D-32C, PARACOIL), vessel list 'DE-1078 THRU DE-1097' (Avondale, Contract N00024-67-C-0220).
Hot water heater compressed-asbestos gasket (Garlock 7021)GarlockHull-specific record: Aqua-Chem water heater 2D-32C master drawing 700 D 7631 (vessel list DE-1078 THRU DE-1097), gasket material 'comp. asbestos' per MIL-I-1472, Garlock 7021.
Hot water heater thermostatic temperature regulating valveLawler Automatic Controls, Inc.Hull-specific record: Lawler Automatic Controls Inc. (Mount Vernon NY) Certification Data Sheet dwg 1504-D / 1360-D, thermostatic regulating valves for hot water heaters, vessel list 'DE-1078 THROUGH DE-1097'.
Hot water heater solenoid valve (Model MV-224)Marotta Valve Corp.Hull-specific record: Aqua-Chem dwg 613 B 7721 fittings list (water heater 2D-32C, DE-1078 THRU DE-1097), solenoid valve Marotta Valve Corp. Model MV-224.
Hot water heater strainerMueller Steam SpecialtyHull-specific record: Aqua-Chem dwg 613 B 7721 fittings list (water heater 2D-32C, DE-1078 THRU DE-1097), strainer Mueller Steam Specialty #352-1/2 per MIL-S-2953.
Hot water heater flow switchGems Co., Inc.Hull-specific record: Aqua-Chem dwg 613 B 7721 fittings list (water heater 2D-32C, DE-1078 THRU DE-1097), flow switch Gems Co. Inc. Part No. 25912.
Hot water heater temperature and low-pressure switchesAmerican StandardHull-specific record: Aqua-Chem dwg 613 B 7721 fittings list (water heater 2D-32C, DE-1078 THRU DE-1097), temperature switch American Standard Model NL and low-pressure switch American Standard Model NB-4.
Hot water heater pilot lightDrakeHull-specific record: Aqua-Chem dwg 613 B 7721 fittings list (water heater 2D-32C, DE-1078 THRU DE-1097), pilot light Drake 5100-202-110.
Auxiliary steam turbine (Type 'JDH')Worthington Corp. (Turbine Division)Hull-specific record: Worthington Corp. Turbine Div. (Wellsville NY) Type 'JDH' turbine plan list LA-64200, Applicable Vessels & Contracts lists Contract N00024-67-C-0220, DE-1078...1097 (Avondale).
JDH turbine oil cooler / strainer unitAndale Co.Hull-specific record: Worthington Type JDH turbine plan list LA-64200 Group 23.1 (Andale Co. oil cooler, strainer unit), Contract N00024-67-C-0220 DE-1078-1097.
JDH turbine auxiliary lube oil pumpBlackmerHull-specific record: Worthington Type JDH turbine plan list LA-64200 Group 23.2 (Blackmer auxiliary lube oil pump), Contract N00024-67-C-0220 DE-1078-1097.
JDH turbine auxiliary lube oil pump motorReliance Electric CompanyHull-specific record: Worthington Type JDH turbine plan list LA-64200 Group 23.2A (Reliance electric motor for auxiliary lube oil pump), Contract N00024-67-C-0220 DE-1078-1097.
JDH turbine hand oil pumpDeming CompanyHull-specific record: Worthington Type JDH turbine plan list LA-64200 Group 23.3 (Deming Company hand oil pump), Contract N00024-67-C-0220 DE-1078-1097.
JDH turbine low pump suction safety trip and constant pressure controlHaganHull-specific record: Worthington Type JDH turbine plan list LA-64200 Groups 23.4 and 23.10 (Hagan low pump suction safety trip; Hagan constant pressure control system), Contract N00024-67-C-0220 DE-1078-1097.
JDH turbine low oil pressure alarm and aux oil pump motor control contactorsAmerican StandardHull-specific record: Worthington Type JDH turbine plan list LA-64200 Groups 23.5 and 23.6 (Am. Standard low oil pressure alarm contactor; aux oil pump motor control contactor), Contract N00024-67-C-0220 DE-1078-1097.
JDH turbine control starter for auxiliary oil pumpGeneral ElectricHull-specific record: Worthington Type JDH turbine plan list LA-64200 Group 23.8 (General Electric control starter for auxiliary oil pump), Contract N00024-67-C-0220 DE-1078-1097.
JDH turbine oil-operated trip valve with integral strainerGimpelHull-specific record: Worthington Type JDH turbine plan list LA-64200 Group 23.12 (Gimpel oil operated trip valve with integral strainer), Contract N00024-67-C-0220 DE-1078-1097.
JDH turbine thermometers and gaugesManning, Maxwell & MooreHull-specific record: Worthington Type JDH turbine plan list LA-64200 Groups 23.13 and 23.15 (M.M.&M. thermometers and gauges), Contract N00024-67-C-0220 DE-1078-1097.
JDH turbine sight flow indicatorsSchutte & KoertingHull-specific record: Worthington Type JDH turbine plan list LA-64200 Group 23.14 (Schutte & Koerting sight flow indicators), Contract N00024-67-C-0220 DE-1078-1097.
Main feed pump (turbine-driven)Worthington Corp.Hull-specific record: Avondale ltr Serial DE 1078-7084-FSF (Ocean Escorts DE 1078 Class) - 'alignment of the Worthington main feed pumps' per Worthington TM 0947-107-8010, Dwg RW-140700.
Main feed pump (Fairbanks Morse dwg 99K4B-S)Fairbanks MorseHull-specific record: Avondale ltr Serial DE 1078-7084-FSF, Fairbanks Morse centrifugal pumps for DE 1078 Class - Main Feed Pump outline dwg 99K4B-S.
Main condensate pump (2 per ship)Fairbanks Morse2Hull-specific record: DE 1078 Class shipalt, Modification of Main Condenser Condensate Pump Foundations, 'DE 1078 to DE 1097 inclusive', two condensate pumps; Fairbanks Morse outline dwg 99K4B-T.
T/G condensate pump and fresh-water drain pumpFairbanks MorseHull-specific record: Avondale ltr Serial DE 1078-7084-FSF, Fairbanks Morse centrifugal pumps for DE 1078 Class - T/G Condensate 99K1.5T-L, Fresh Water Drain 99K1.5T-M.
Fire pumpsFairbanks MorseHull-specific record: DE 1052/1078 class fire pump maintenance notes (COMCRUDESPAC Ser 427); Fairbanks Morse fire pump master dwg 99D5D-BT (Colt Industries / Fairbanks Morse Pump Div.), P.O. DE-5509.
Fire pumpsBuffalo ForgeHull-specific record: DE 1052/1078 class fire pump maintenance notes (NAVSHIPS ltr 9470 Ser 1156; COMCRUDESPAC Ser 427) - mechanical seals for Buffalo Forge and Fairbanks-Morse firepumps.
Fire pump mechanical sealsJohn Crane Packing CompanyHull-specific record: DE 1052/1078 class fire pump maintenance notes (COMCRUDESPAC Ser 427) - John Crane Packing Company mechanical seals for Buffalo Forge and Fairbanks-Morse firepumps.
Turbo-generator circulating pumpFairbanks MorseHull-specific record: SUPSHIP ltr Ser 240 (P.O. DE-5509), Fairbanks Morse Turbo. Gen. Circ. Pump, outline dwg 99F6B-A, DE 1078 Class.
ASROC heating circulating pump and electronic cooling pumpFairbanks MorseHull-specific record: SUPSHIP ltr Ser 240-5646 (P.O. DE-5509), Fairbanks Morse Asroc Heating Circ. Pump & Electronic Cooling Pump (dwgs 99F1.5D-U/W/X/Y), DE 1078 Class.
Motor-driven main fuel oil service pumpDeLaval Turbine, Inc.Hull-specific record: SUPSHIP ltr Ser 240 (P.O. DE-5507), 'Motor-Driven Main Fuel Oil Service Pump', DeLaval Turbine Inc., DE 1078 Class.
Bilge, F.O. tank stripping and emergency F.O. transfer pumpWorthington Corp.Hull-specific record: SUPSHIP ltr Ser 240-1557 (P.O. DE-5501), 'Bilge & F.O. Tank Stripping & Emergency F.O. Transfer Pump', Worthington Corp., DE 1078 Class.
Prairie/Masker air compressor (Turbo-Compressor TC-702)Worthington Corp.Hull-specific record: Avondale ltr DE1078-1434-CHC and SUPSHIP ltr Ser 5531 (P.O. DE-5501), 'Prairie Masker Air Compressor', Worthington Turbo-Compressor TC-702 (dwg 1-H-2500), applicable ships DE 1078 thru 1097, 40 units.
Prairie/Masker air compressor fresh-water coolerAmerican StandardHull-specific record: Avondale ltr DE1078-1434-CHC, Prairie Masker Air Compressor (P.O. DE-5501), American Std F.W. cooler dwg 4M424X11, DE 1078 Class.
Prairie/Masker air compressor motor controllerCutler-HammerHull-specific record: Avondale ltr DE1078-1434-CHC, Prairie Masker Air Compressor (P.O. DE-5501), Cutler-Hammer controller certification data dwg 6922CD474, DE 1078 Class.
Prairie/Masker air compressor motorReliance Electric CompanyHull-specific record: Avondale ltr DE1078-1434-CHC, Prairie Masker Air Compressor (P.O. DE-5501), Reliance Elec. Co. motor certification data dwg A-87252-1, DE 1078 Class.
Steering gear pump controller (drip-proof AC magnetic controller, 75 HP)Cutler-Hammer, Inc.2Hull-specific record: Cutler-Hammer Inc. (Milwaukee) Certification Data A6962CD3600 (order CF344385B, Avondale P.O. DE-5503), drip-proof AC magnetic controller for steering gear pump, 20 Avondale vessels, 2 per vessel.
Steering gear pump driven auxiliary unitSmith-MeekerHull-specific record: Cutler-Hammer Certification Data A6962CD3600 (P.O. DE-5503), 'Driven Aux. Unit (Smith-Meeker)' for steering gear pump, 20 Avondale vessels.
Control / pressure regulator valvesAtlas Valve Co.Hull-specific record: SUPSHIP ltr Ser 240-6896 (Avondale P.O. DE-1218 & DE-5570), Atlas Valve Co. (Newark NJ) control / pressure regulator valves (dwgs NAP 859/860), DE 1052 & DE 1078 class.
Low-pressure desuperheaterGimpel Machine WorksHull-specific record: SUPSHIP ltr Ser 240-106 (P.O. DE-832 & DE-5547), Gimpel Machine Works '5-inch Line Desuperheater with Control Equipment' (Dwg NP-675), DE 1052/1078 class.
Desuperheater thermoswitchFenwalHull-specific record: SUPSHIP ltr Ser 240-106 (P.O. DE-832 & DE-5547), Fenwall Dwg 17823-2 thermoswitch on the low-pressure desuperheater, DE 1052/1078 class.
150-15 psi reducing station (2-inch GKM reducing valve)Leslie Co.Hull-specific record: NAVSEC ltr Ser-188-PMS-380, DE-1078-1097 acceptance-trial item IIK36mp reducing station - Leslie 2-inch GKM valve (Leslie Topper Class GK valve).
Ship's-service-generator / bus-tie circuit breakers (type AQB-A1601)Westinghouse Electric Corp.Hull-specific record: NAVSEC ltr Ser 601-PMS 380 (DE 1052 and DE 1078 class) - Westinghouse type AQB-A1601 circuit breaker 'installed on the subject ships for ship's service generator and bus tie applications.'
Battery chargersBogue Electric Mfg. Co.Hull-specific record: SUPSHIP ltr Ser 240-3690 (A.S.I. P.O. DE-5926), Bogue Electric Mfg. Co. battery chargers (dwg DG-0178-01), DE 1078 Class.
Local interior-communication (I.C.) switchboardsWestinghouse Electric Corp.Hull-specific record: SUPSHIP ltr Ser 240-5903 (P.O. DE-5532), Westinghouse Electric Corp. local I.C. switchboards, DE 1078 Class.
Radar distribution switchboard (SB-1505/SP)Admiral Corp.Hull-specific record: NAVSEC speedletter DE 1078CL/5000 Ser 1767 - SB-1505/SP Radar Distribution Switchboard, Admiral Corp., DE 1078 Class.

Source: this equipment reference was extracted from public Wikipedia/DANFS records for USS Moinester (FF-1097). These are secondary-source records — not primary BUSHIPS design documents. For litigation purposes, this data is a starting point; a ship-specific BUSHIPS Material Inspection Report or commissioning book would provide gold-standard verification.

Source on Wikipedia ›

Navy Ratings Most Exposed to Asbestos Aboard Moinester

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the public asbestos litigation record document that the following Navy ratings worked routinely in spaces where ACM was installed, maintained, ripped out, and replaced:

VA Disability Claims for Asbestos-Related Disease

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs evaluates asbestos claims individually. A veteran generally needs medical evidence of a current asbestos-related disease, service evidence supporting in-service asbestos exposure, and a medical opinion connecting the two. Ship assignments, Navy ratings, and equipment records can help document the exposure history but do not create automatic service connection.

Approved claims may provide monthly disability compensation and related benefits. Survivors may separately qualify for Dependency & Indemnity Compensation when the applicable requirements are met. Civil lawsuits and asbestos-trust claims use different standards; claimants should obtain individualized advice about how the processes interact.

How to file a VA disability claim: VA claims are filed directly with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs — not with a law firm. Start at VA.gov › Hazardous Materials Exposure, call 1‑800‑827‑1000, or get free help filing from a Veterans Service Organization: DAV, VFW, or American Legion.

VA Claims Guide on This Site › Compare: VA vs. Civil Lawsuit

Source notes: equipment-manifest entries (where shown) are sourced from public-record BUSHIPS (Bureau of Ships) documentation, NARA archives, and the public asbestos litigation record. Manufacturer attributions link to documented asbestos-product histories on AsbestosIndex.com where available. Nothing on this page constitutes medical or legal advice.