John the boilerman: the tragic story of the veteran who survived the war, but lost to asbestos

“I worked inside the boilers for six months…hammering away at the asbestos walls...nothing but dust everywhere. I remember coming out of the boiler and blowing my nose...it was full of black carbon and dust."

John the boilerman (1940 – 1960)

In Crescent City, California, John taught piano lessons. On certain days he would go to the local community theatre and direct a show. He was a substitute teacher at the county’s school, and a member of the local choir. He had a wife named Sandra, and three children. He was loved by them, as well as the whole community. At the time of his diagnosis with mesothelioma cancer, he made the aquaintence of his first grandchild. The story of how John developed mesothelioma starts back before he was known as John the musician, or John the director. It begins decades prior to when he was simply known as John the boilerman – keeping his ship intact as they sailed towards Vietnam.

This story is like yours, or your father’s. Like John, you slept beneath the deck of a Fletcher-class destroyer where asbestos rained down in the sleeping quarters every night.

John goes to war

John enlists in the Navy in 1959. He attends boot camp and Boilerman School in Great Lakes, Illinois. A year later he is ready to board the Destroyer USS Uhlmann as a boilerman’s apprentice. John recalls the sleeping arrangements onboard…

"There was a sleeping compartment for engineers or 'snipes' as they called us, and the pipes above our bunks were coated with asbestos. Every time they'd fire the Uhlmann's big 5-inch guns, the vibration shook the pipes and the dust would fall into our beds."

The attitude about the asbestos dust was entirely casual. John would often climb up to the starboard tank top near the boilers where the asbestos was kept and form some up it into a pillow for a quick nap. No one on board had idea clue that even one tiny fiber can cause mesothelioma cancer. The people who did know were on land. They were the heads of major companies who worked in mining, manufacturing, distributing, and installing asbestos products.

One of heads of these major corporations responded to the issue of the dangers of asbestos by writing, “My answer to the problem is: if you have enjoyed a good life while working with asbestos why not die from it.” (Abcarticledirectory)

John recalls his work with asbestos

"I remember we would make our own 'lagging' by dumping loose asbestos into a bucket and pouring water into it. We'd mix it up with our bare hands…no gloves or anything…’till it made a kind of mud, then we'd slap it on the joints. During all this, the air would be full of dust...the asbestos was just like flour…I worked inside the boilers for six months. Sometimes there would be three or four guys hammering away at the asbestos walls...nothing but dust everywhere…I remember coming out of the boiler and blowing my nose...it was full of black carbon and dust."

John retires only to fight again

After the war, John moved to Crescent City, California. He grew old with his wife, and watched his kids grow up, as well. When he was ready to retire, he was diagnosed with mesothelioma. Because mesothelioma is only caused by asbestos and it typically takes 20 to 40 years for the disease to show signs after exposure, John needed to dig deep into his memories and figure out when he was first exposed. His answer came to him: it was his dedicated service during the war with Vietnam.

“I didn't want to die. I wanted to see my grandchildren grow up. And I wanted to be with my wife, Sandy. It's very sad to realize I won't be able to," said John.

John the boilerman died in 2000 from mesothelioma (Availusa.org).

Weitz & Luxenberg can help you. We have heard many stories similar to John’s, and we know how to help you pursue the compensation you deserve from the negligent companies that made you ill. Contact us for a free legal consultation.