Puget Sound Naval Shipyard

In 1891, a 190-acred site was acquired on the Sinclair Inlet of Washington’s Puget Sound, earmarked as an excellent spot for a naval base.  Located in what would soon be known as Bremerton, the base began building its first dry dock in the late 1890s and by 1901, it had been elevated to Navy Yard status.  In 1913, another dry dock was added, making the yard suitable for repairs on any battleship that was currently on the seas.

Many questioned why a Navy Yard was needed on the west coast but threats from Japan to take over the Philippines and other Pacific islands fueled the desire to have such a facility located near the Pacific Ocean.  However, until the threat was justified, the Sinclair Inlet Naval Shipyard began building new ships rather than repairing those that were old or damaged.

Yet another dry dock was completed in 1916 and during World War I, this shipyard built 6 submarines, 25 submarine chasers, 2 minesweepers, 7 tugs, 2 ammo ships, and 1,700 small boats of varying types. 

In 1940, a fourth dry dock was added.  With threats from Hitler widespread, the shipyard stepped up its operations and employment rose from 6,000 to 17,000 just prior to World War II.  During the war, repair and overhaul work was most prevalent here, including the repair of five ships that were hit during the attack on Pearl Harbor. At the end of World War II, the shipyard’s name was officially changed to Puget Sound Naval Shipyard.

Employment at Puget Sound fell after the war and rose again during the Korean conflict.  The 1960s saw yet more construction of humongous dry docks, suitable for aircraft carriers.  In 1961, it was announced that the shipyard would participate in the nuclear power program as well.  Many other additions and repairs were made throughout the 60s, 70s, and 80s.  Currently, the shipyard covers 327 acres of hard land and 338 acres of submerged land.

During the building and repair of ships at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, both civilian and military employees were often exposed to high levels of asbestos fibers. As a matter of fact, in 2001, the shipyards blue collar union filed a large grievance against the yard, alleging that “thousands of workers were denied extra pay for exposure to potentially harmful levels of cancer-causing asbestos.” 

Those most affected were employees who performed repairs or overhauls on old or damaged ships, often removing damaged insulation and other asbestos-containing products in an improper manner without protection from inhalation of toxic materials.  Those affected may include pipe fitters, welders, plumbers, and electricians.

If you or a loved one has been stricken with Mesothelioma and was employed at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, you have certain legal rights.  To learn more about your rights as well as gather additional information about the disease, send for our no-cost Mesothelioma Resource Kit.