⚓ U.S. Navy — Frigates
Knox FF-1052
Last updated July 11, 2026
The Knox FF-1052 was a class of U.S. Navy frigates from the asbestos era, led by USS Knox (FF-1052). Its 46 ships used asbestos-containing insulation throughout the engineering plant, and veterans who served aboard Knox FF-1052 vessels — especially in engineering ratings — may have been exposed to asbestos fibers.
About the Knox FF-1052
- 46 ships in the class
- Hull numbers span FF-1052 to FF-1097
- Lead ship: USS Knox (FF-1052)
- 46 ships in this class carry recorded service or disposition notes (see the roster below)
Asbestos Exposure Aboard Knox FF-1052 Ships
Asbestos was the standard thermal insulation material aboard U.S. Navy frigates built before approximately 1980. On ships of this type, asbestos-containing materials were concentrated in the areas below.
- Main propulsion machinery — steam or gas-turbine insulation, gaskets
- Auxiliary machinery rooms — pump casing insulation, valve packing
- Electrical equipment spaces — asbestos-braided wiring in older installations
- Deck tiles in berthing and passageways (vinyl asbestos tile)
- Pipe insulation in the engineering plant
The Knox class (FF-1052, commissioned 1969–1974) was the last steam-powered frigate class. The Oliver Hazard Perry class (FFG-7, commissioned 1977–1989) transitioned to gas turbines; early units may contain asbestos in legacy insulation and legacy deck materials.
For the full frigates exposure overview, see the Frigates asbestos guide ›
At-Risk Ratings Aboard Knox FF-1052 Ships
The following ratings had regular contact with asbestos-containing materials aboard frigates 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 Knox FF-1052 (46 vessels)
| Ship Name | Hull No. | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| USS Knox | FF-1052 | 46-ship class; all asbestos era; high boiler-room exposure |
| USS Roark | FF-1053 | 46-ship class; all asbestos era; high boiler-room exposure |
| USS Gray | FF-1054 | 46-ship class; all asbestos era; high boiler-room exposure |
| USS Hepburn | FF-1055 | 46-ship class; all asbestos era; high boiler-room exposure |
| USS Connole | FF-1056 | 46-ship class; all asbestos era; high boiler-room exposure |
| USS Rathburne | FF-1057 | 46-ship class; all asbestos era; high boiler-room exposure |
| USS Meyerkord | FF-1058 | 46-ship class; all asbestos era; high boiler-room exposure |
| USS W. S. Sims | FF-1059 | 46-ship class; all asbestos era; high boiler-room exposure |
| USS Lang | FF-1060 | 46-ship class; all asbestos era; high boiler-room exposure |
| USS Patterson | FF-1061 | 46-ship class; all asbestos era; high boiler-room exposure |
| USS Whipple | FF-1062 | 46-ship class; all asbestos era; high boiler-room exposure |
| USS Reasoner | FF-1063 | 46-ship class; all asbestos era; high boiler-room exposure |
| USS Lockwood | FF-1064 | 46-ship class; all asbestos era; high boiler-room exposure |
| USS Stein | FF-1065 | 46-ship class; all asbestos era; high boiler-room exposure |
| USS Marvin Shields | FF-1066 | 46-ship class; all asbestos era; high boiler-room exposure |
| USS Francis Hammond | FF-1067 | 46-ship class; all asbestos era; high boiler-room exposure |
| USS Vreeland | FF-1068 | 46-ship class; all asbestos era; high boiler-room exposure |
| USS Bagley | FF-1069 | 46-ship class; all asbestos era; high boiler-room exposure |
| USS Downes | FF-1070 | 46-ship class; all asbestos era; high boiler-room exposure |
| USS Badger | FF-1071 | 46-ship class; all asbestos era; high boiler-room exposure |
| USS Blakely | FF-1072 | 46-ship class; all asbestos era; high boiler-room exposure |
| USS Robert E. Peary | FF-1073 | 46-ship class; all asbestos era; high boiler-room exposure |
| USS Harold E. Holt | FF-1074 | 46-ship class; all asbestos era; high boiler-room exposure |
| USS Trippe | FF-1075 | 46-ship class; all asbestos era; high boiler-room exposure |
| USS Fanning | FF-1076 | 46-ship class; all asbestos era; high boiler-room exposure |
| USS Ouellet | FF-1077 | 46-ship class; all asbestos era; high boiler-room exposure |
| USS Joseph Hewes | FF-1078 | 46-ship class; all asbestos era; high boiler-room exposure |
| USS Bowen | FF-1079 | 46-ship class; all asbestos era; high boiler-room exposure |
| USS Paul | FF-1080 | 46-ship class; all asbestos era; high boiler-room exposure |
| USS Aylwin | FF-1081 | 46-ship class; all asbestos era; high boiler-room exposure |
| USS Elmer Montgomery | FF-1082 | 46-ship class; all asbestos era; high boiler-room exposure |
| USS Cook | FF-1083 | 46-ship class; all asbestos era; high boiler-room exposure |
| USS Mccandless | FF-1084 | 46-ship class; all asbestos era; high boiler-room exposure |
| USS Donald B. Beary | FF-1085 | 46-ship class; all asbestos era; high boiler-room exposure |
| USS Brewton | FF-1086 | 46-ship class; all asbestos era; high boiler-room exposure |
| USS Kirk | FF-1087 | 46-ship class; all asbestos era; high boiler-room exposure |
| USS Barbey | FF-1088 | 46-ship class; all asbestos era; high boiler-room exposure |
| USS Jesse L. Brown | FF-1089 | 46-ship class; all asbestos era; high boiler-room exposure |
| USS Ainsworth | FF-1090 | 46-ship class; all asbestos era; high boiler-room exposure |
| USS Miller | FF-1091 | 46-ship class; all asbestos era; high boiler-room exposure |
| USS Thomas C. Hart | FF-1092 | 46-ship class; all asbestos era; high boiler-room exposure |
| USS Capodanno | FF-1093 | 46-ship class; all asbestos era; high boiler-room exposure |
| USS Pharris | FF-1094 | 46-ship class; all asbestos era; high boiler-room exposure |
| USS Truett | FF-1095 | 46-ship class; all asbestos era; high boiler-room exposure |
| USS Valdez | FF-1096 | 46-ship class; all asbestos era; high boiler-room exposure |
| USS Moinester | FF-1097 | 46-ship class; all asbestos era; high boiler-room exposure |
VA Benefits & Legal Options for Knox FF-1052 Veterans
Veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, pleural plaques, or asbestos-related lung cancer who served aboard Knox FF-1052 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 Frigates › 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 Knox FF-1052 ships use asbestos?
Yes. The Knox FF-1052 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 Knox FF-1052 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 Knox FF-1052 ships?
Common asbestos products used in U.S. Navy frigates 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 Knox FF-1052?
If you or a family member served aboard Knox FF-1052, 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 ›