Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine, is the oldest continuously operating naval shipyard in the United States. Workers were heavily exposed to asbestos during submarine construction and overhaul operations from the 1940s through the 1970s.
Last verified: 2026-03-09Established in 1800, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard became the Navy's premier submarine overhaul facility. During World War II the yard built 73 submarines, and during the Cold War it overhauled nuclear submarines. Asbestos was a primary insulation material used throughout the submarine fleet, and workers encountered it in every phase of construction and repair.
Submarine work at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard involved extremely confined spaces where asbestos fibers accumulated to hazardous concentrations. Workers removed and replaced asbestos insulation on steam pipes, reactor compartment shielding, and engine room components. Insulators, pipe fitters, and electricians routinely cut, shaped, and installed asbestos-containing materials in tight quarters with minimal ventilation.
The following job categories at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard had the highest risk of asbestos exposure:
Former Portsmouth Naval Shipyard workers have experienced high rates of mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer. The confined nature of submarine work intensified exposure levels beyond those found in surface ship repair. Many veterans and civilian workers who served at the yard between 1940 and 1978 have pursued asbestos-related claims.
Health information is based on established medical research on asbestos exposure. Asbestos is classified as a known human carcinogen by the National Cancer Institute, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Consult a physician for medical advice specific to your situation.
Workers exposed to asbestos at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard may be entitled to compensation through asbestos trust funds, personal injury lawsuits, or veterans benefits. Mesothelioma patients and their families have recovered billions in compensation from companies that manufactured or used asbestos products.
3 asbestos trust funds have been identified as potentially related to exposure at this site. Many mesothelioma patients qualify to file claims with multiple trusts simultaneously.
Find Out If You QualifyWorkers who were employed at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard between 1940s–1970s may have been exposed to asbestos-containing materials. If you've been diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis, you may have legal options including trust fund claims and lawsuits.
Workers exposed to asbestos at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard may be eligible to file claims with the following trust funds:
Yes. Asbestos was used extensively at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, particularly in submarine construction and overhaul operations. Insulation, gaskets, valve packing, and thermal blankets all contained asbestos fibers.
Insulators, pipe fitters, electricians, and machinists had the highest exposure due to working in confined submarine compartments where asbestos dust accumulated in poorly ventilated spaces.
Yes. Workers and veterans exposed to asbestos at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases may be eligible for compensation through trust fund claims and legal action.
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, ME is a documented asbestos exposure site. Workers in the naval submarine repair & overhaul industry were exposed to asbestos-containing materials from the 1940s through the 1970s. Former workers diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases may be eligible for compensation.
If you or a loved one worked at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis, our attorneys can help you explore your legal options. There is no cost, no pressure, and no obligation.
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