Williams Kherkher - Mesothelioma Lawyer

Dangerous Shipyards: Long Beach Naval Shipyard

The Long Beach Naval Shipyard is located 23 miles south of Los Angeles International Airport. Only minutes from the beach, but still protected within the west basin of the Port of Long Beach, the Long Beach Naval Shipyard has an ideal location. In 1940, the shipyard opened, specializing in the repair of cargo ships, destroyers, cruisers, and troop transports.

The Bethlehem Steel Company was eager to rent the facility after the work of WWII began to slow, however, the US Navy ordered that the facility be changed to a US Naval Dry Dock, which would be named Roosevelt Base, California. In 1945 the name changed again to Terminal Island Naval Shipyard, only to settle on the name Long Beach Naval Shipyard in 1948.

The shipyard was decommissioned for a short time in 1950, but became needed again in the Korean War. Until it closed in 1997, the shipyard maintained non-nuclear surface ships for the US Navy.

Long Beach Naval Shipyard covered 109 acres and housed 165 buildings. The shipyard specialized in ship repair involving nuclear and non-nuclear structural repairs, sheetmetal, rigging, electronics, sandblasting, welding, woodworking, boiler, and more.

Long Beach Naval Shipyard employed around 3,000 civilians, and roughly 800 military personnel, most of which were skilled engineers and production workers. The shipyard was closed in 1997 after 38 ships were relocated to other West Coast ports, which lead to the loss of around 17,000 jobs.

If you or a loved one has been affected by the dangerous use of asbestos at a shipyard, contact an attorney to learn about your rights and options. The Mesothelioma Lawyers of Williams Kherkher are dedicated to your case and will work to ensure that you receive the compensation that you deserve. Call 866-950-9000 to schedule your free initial consultation.