⚓ U.S. Navy — Amphibious Ships
Various dock landing ships LSD
Last updated July 11, 2026
The Various dock landing ships LSD was a class of U.S. Navy amphibious ships from the asbestos era, led by USS Ashland (LSD-1). Its 29 ships used asbestos-containing insulation throughout the engineering plant, and veterans who served aboard Various dock landing ships LSD vessels — especially in engineering ratings — may have been exposed to asbestos fibers.
About the Various dock landing ships LSD
- 29 ships in the class
- Hull numbers span LSD-1 to LSD-35
- Lead ship: USS Ashland (LSD-1)
- 29 ships in this class carry recorded service or disposition notes (see the roster below)
Asbestos Exposure Aboard Various dock landing ships LSD Ships
Asbestos was the standard thermal insulation material aboard U.S. Navy amphibious ships built before approximately 1980. On ships of this type, asbestos-containing materials were concentrated in the areas below.
- Main propulsion plant — boiler and turbine insulation, steam piping
- Vehicle and cargo decks — deck tile adhesives and flooring materials
- Well deck machinery — ramp and flooding system piping insulation
- Crew berthing — overhead insulation in some ships
- Machinery room pipe lagging and gaskets
WWII-era LSTs, LSDs, and attack transports through the Tarawa-class LHAs (commissioned 1976–1980) represent the amphibious asbestos era. The Wasp class (LHD-1, commissioned 1989) marks the transition to reduced asbestos use.
For the full amphibious ships exposure overview, see the Amphibious Ships asbestos guide ›
At-Risk Ratings Aboard Various dock landing ships LSD Ships
The following ratings had regular contact with asbestos-containing materials aboard amphibious ships of this era. If you served in one of these ratings, document it when filing a VA disability or asbestos trust fund claim.
Ships in the Various dock landing ships LSD (29 vessels)
| Ship Name | Hull No. | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| USS Ashland | LSD-1 | Hermitage LSD-34 documented asbestos-paint exposure case |
| USS Belle Grove | LSD-2 | Hermitage LSD-34 documented asbestos-paint exposure case |
| USS Carter Hall | LSD-3 | Hermitage LSD-34 documented asbestos-paint exposure case |
| USS Epping Forest | LSD-4 | Hermitage LSD-34 documented asbestos-paint exposure case |
| USS Gunston Hall | LSD-5 | Hermitage LSD-34 documented asbestos-paint exposure case |
| USS Lindenwald | LSD-6 | Hermitage LSD-34 documented asbestos-paint exposure case |
| USS Oak Hill | LSD-7 | Hermitage LSD-34 documented asbestos-paint exposure case |
| USS White Marsh | LSD-8 | Hermitage LSD-34 documented asbestos-paint exposure case |
| USS Casa Grande | LSD-13 | Hermitage LSD-34 documented asbestos-paint exposure case |
| USS Rushmore | LSD-14 | Hermitage LSD-34 documented asbestos-paint exposure case |
| USS Shadwell | LSD-15 | Hermitage LSD-34 documented asbestos-paint exposure case |
| USS Cabildo | LSD-16 | Hermitage LSD-34 documented asbestos-paint exposure case |
| USS Catamount | LSD-17 | Hermitage LSD-34 documented asbestos-paint exposure case |
| USS Colonial | LSD-18 | Hermitage LSD-34 documented asbestos-paint exposure case |
| USS Comstock | LSD-19 | Hermitage LSD-34 documented asbestos-paint exposure case |
| USS Donner | LSD-20 | Hermitage LSD-34 documented asbestos-paint exposure case |
| USS Fort Mandan | LSD-21 | Hermitage LSD-34 documented asbestos-paint exposure case |
| USS Fort Marion | LSD-22 | Hermitage LSD-34 documented asbestos-paint exposure case |
| USS San Marcos | LSD-25 | Hermitage LSD-34 documented asbestos-paint exposure case |
| USS Tortuga | LSD-26 | Hermitage LSD-34 documented asbestos-paint exposure case |
| USS Whetstone | LSD-27 | Hermitage LSD-34 documented asbestos-paint exposure case |
| USS Thomaston | LSD-28 | Hermitage LSD-34 documented asbestos-paint exposure case |
| USS Plymouth Rock | LSD-29 | Hermitage LSD-34 documented asbestos-paint exposure case |
| USS Fort Snelling | LSD-30 | Hermitage LSD-34 documented asbestos-paint exposure case |
| USS Point Defiance | LSD-31 | Hermitage LSD-34 documented asbestos-paint exposure case |
| USS Spiegel Grove | LSD-32 | Hermitage LSD-34 documented asbestos-paint exposure case |
| USS Alamo | LSD-33 | Hermitage LSD-34 documented asbestos-paint exposure case |
| USS Hermitage | LSD-34 | Hermitage LSD-34 documented asbestos-paint exposure case |
| USS Monticello | LSD-35 | Hermitage LSD-34 documented asbestos-paint exposure case |
VA Benefits & Legal Options for Various dock landing ships LSD Veterans
Veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, pleural plaques, or asbestos-related lung cancer who served aboard Various dock landing ships LSD ships may be eligible for:
- VA disability compensation — monthly benefit; requires diagnosis plus evidence of shipboard service. No manufacturer identification needed.
- Asbestos trust fund claims — lump-sum payments from trusts funded by bankrupt asbestos manufacturers (Johns-Manville, Owens Corning, and others). Requires identifying specific products used aboard.
These two paths are not mutually exclusive. Many veterans pursue both.
Full claim guidance for Amphibious Ships › Free Legal Review ›
Asbestos.cam is an informational resource, not a law firm. The above is general information, not legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney for guidance on your specific situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Various dock landing ships LSD ships use asbestos?
Yes. The Various dock landing ships LSD was built during the era when asbestos was the standard insulation material in U.S. naval construction. Engineering spaces aboard these vessels contained asbestos pipe lagging, boiler block insulation, gaskets, and valve packing. Veterans who worked in boiler rooms, engine rooms, or repair roles had the highest likelihood of exposure.
How do I prove I served aboard a Various dock landing ships LSD ship for a VA claim?
Your DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) lists your ship assignments. Additional documentation includes ship deck logs (available from the National Archives), official orders, and buddy statements from fellow crew members. A Veterans Service Organization (VSO) can help you gather and submit this evidence at no cost.
What asbestos products were used aboard Various dock landing ships LSD ships?
Common asbestos products used in U.S. Navy amphibious ships of this era included Kaylo pipe insulation (Owens-Illinois), Unibestos block insulation (Pittsburgh Corning), 85% magnesia pipe covering (various manufacturers), Flexitallic spiral-wound gaskets, and Johns-Manville pipe covering. A mesothelioma attorney who specializes in Navy claims maintains detailed product-identification databases for specific ship classes.
Did You Serve Aboard Various dock landing ships LSD?
If you or a family member served aboard Various dock landing ships LSD, you may have been exposed to asbestos. Sharing your service information is completely voluntary and may help build the historical record of shipboard exposure — information that can be valuable in VA disability and asbestos trust fund claims.
What we do with your information: Your submission goes into a private moderation queue. We will never publish your name, contact details, or diagnosis information publicly. The only information that may appear publicly is an anonymized count of verified veterans who have reported serving on this ship. We will not sell, rent, or share your information with third parties except as necessary to respond to your specific request. You may request deletion of your information at any time.
To request that your information be removed: Data Removal Request ›