Did Cimarron AO-22 ships contain asbestos?

Yes. Cimarron AO-22 vessels were built during the asbestos era and used asbestos-containing insulation throughout their engineering spaces — including pipe lagging, boiler block insulation, gaskets, and valve packing. Veterans who served in engineering spaces aboard these ships may have been exposed to asbestos fibers.

Which ratings were most at risk aboard Cimarron AO-22 ships?

Machinist's Mate (MM), Boiler Technician (BT), Engineman (EN), Hull Technician (HT) had the most direct contact with asbestos-containing materials aboard Cimarron AO-22 vessels.

⚓ U.S. Navy — Auxiliary & Supply Ships

Cimarron AO-22

Q: How many ships were in the Cimarron AO-22?

The Cimarron AO-22 consisted of 23 vessels.

The Cimarron AO-22 consisted of 23 vessels. Like all U.S. Navy auxiliary & supply ships built during the asbestos era, these ships used asbestos-containing insulation throughout their engineering plants. Veterans who served in engineering spaces aboard Cimarron AO-22 ships may have been exposed to asbestos fibers.

Asbestos Exposure Aboard Cimarron AO-22 Ships

Asbestos was the standard thermal insulation material in U.S. Navy auxiliary & supply ships built before approximately 1980. Common sources of asbestos exposure aboard Cimarron AO-22 vessels included:

Pipe lagging and block insulation in boiler rooms and engine rooms
Gaskets at pipe flanges throughout the engineering plant
Valve stem packing and pump seals
Turbine casing insulation and expansion joint material
Asbestos rope, cloth, and tape used for sealing and repair work

For detailed information on spaces and products specific to auxiliary & supply ships, see the Auxiliary & Supply Ships asbestos overview ›

At-Risk Ratings Aboard Cimarron AO-22 Ships

The following ratings had regular contact with asbestos-containing materials aboard auxiliary & supply ships of this era. If you served in one of these ratings, document it when filing a VA disability or asbestos trust fund claim.

Machinist's Mate (MM)
Boiler Technician (BT)
Engineman (EN)
Hull Technician (HT)

Ships in the Cimarron AO-22 (23 vessels)

Ship Name	Hull No.	Notes
USS Cimarron	AO-22	All asbestos era; insulated boiler/engine spaces
USS Neosho	AO-23	All asbestos era; insulated boiler/engine spaces
USS Platte	AO-24	All asbestos era; insulated boiler/engine spaces
USS Sabine	AO-25	All asbestos era; insulated boiler/engine spaces
USS Salamonie	AO-26	All asbestos era; insulated boiler/engine spaces
USS Kaskaskia	AO-27	All asbestos era; insulated boiler/engine spaces
USS Chemung	AO-30	All asbestos era; insulated boiler/engine spaces
USS Guadalupe	AO-32	All asbestos era; insulated boiler/engine spaces
USS Cacapon	AO-52	All asbestos era; insulated boiler/engine spaces
USS Caliente	AO-53	All asbestos era; insulated boiler/engine spaces
USS Chikaskia	AO-54	All asbestos era; insulated boiler/engine spaces
USS Elokomin	AO-55	All asbestos era; insulated boiler/engine spaces
USS Aucilla	AO-56	All asbestos era; insulated boiler/engine spaces
USS Marias	AO-57	All asbestos era; insulated boiler/engine spaces
USS Manatee	AO-58	All asbestos era; insulated boiler/engine spaces
USS Mississinewa	AO-59	All asbestos era; insulated boiler/engine spaces
USS Nantahala	AO-60	All asbestos era; insulated boiler/engine spaces
USS Severn	AO-61	All asbestos era; insulated boiler/engine spaces
USS Taluga	AO-62	All asbestos era; insulated boiler/engine spaces
USS Chipola	AO-63	All asbestos era; insulated boiler/engine spaces
USS Tolovana	AO-64	All asbestos era; insulated boiler/engine spaces
USS Allagash	AO-97	All asbestos era; insulated boiler/engine spaces
USS Chukawan	AO-100	All asbestos era; insulated boiler/engine spaces

VA Benefits & Legal Options for Cimarron AO-22 Veterans

Veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, pleural plaques, or asbestos-related lung cancer who served aboard Cimarron AO-22 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 Auxiliary & Supply 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 Cimarron AO-22 ships use asbestos?

Yes. The Cimarron AO-22 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 Cimarron AO-22 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 Cimarron AO-22 ships?

Common asbestos products used in U.S. Navy auxiliary & supply 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.

Sources & References

NavyShips.org / navysite.de — ship roster, class, and hull-number data
NavSource Naval History — ship histories and photographs
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs — Asbestos Exposure & VA Disability
ATSDR (Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry) — Asbestos ToxFAQs
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency — Asbestos
NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluations of shipyard asbestos exposure (various years)
National Archives and Records Administration — ship service records

Ship roster data compiled from NavyShips.org and NavSource Naval History. Asbestos-location information reflects class-level construction standards documented by the EPA, ATSDR, and VA. Ship-specific claims should be verified against primary sources before use in legal proceedings.

Did You Serve Aboard Cimarron AO-22?

If you or a family member served aboard Cimarron AO-22, 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.

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