⚓ U.S. Navy — Frigates
Oliver Hazard Perry FFG-7
Last updated July 11, 2026
The Oliver Hazard Perry FFG-7 was a class of U.S. Navy frigates from the asbestos era, led by USS Oliver Hazard Perry (FFG-7). Its 51 ships used asbestos-containing insulation throughout the engineering plant, and veterans who served aboard Oliver Hazard Perry FFG-7 vessels — especially in engineering ratings — may have been exposed to asbestos fibers.
About the Oliver Hazard Perry FFG-7
- 51 ships in the class
- Hull numbers span FFG-7 to FFG-61
- Lead ship: USS Oliver Hazard Perry (FFG-7)
- 51 ships in this class carry recorded service or disposition notes (see the roster below)
Asbestos Exposure Aboard Oliver Hazard Perry FFG-7 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 Oliver Hazard Perry FFG-7 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 Oliver Hazard Perry FFG-7 (51 vessels)
| Ship Name | Hull No. | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| USS Oliver Hazard Perry | FFG-7 | FFG-17/18/35/44 omitted (built for Australia); Perry class commissioned 1977-1989 |
| USS Mcinerney | FFG-8 | FFG-17/18/35/44 omitted (built for Australia); Perry class commissioned 1977-1989 |
| USS Wadsworth | FFG-9 | FFG-17/18/35/44 omitted (built for Australia); Perry class commissioned 1977-1989 |
| USS Duncan | FFG-10 | FFG-17/18/35/44 omitted (built for Australia); Perry class commissioned 1977-1989 |
| USS Clark | FFG-11 | FFG-17/18/35/44 omitted (built for Australia); Perry class commissioned 1977-1989 |
| USS George Philip | FFG-12 | FFG-17/18/35/44 omitted (built for Australia); Perry class commissioned 1977-1989 |
| USS Samuel Eliot Morison | FFG-13 | FFG-17/18/35/44 omitted (built for Australia); Perry class commissioned 1977-1989 |
| USS Sides | FFG-14 | FFG-17/18/35/44 omitted (built for Australia); Perry class commissioned 1977-1989 |
| USS Estocin | FFG-15 | FFG-17/18/35/44 omitted (built for Australia); Perry class commissioned 1977-1989 |
| USS Clifton Sprague | FFG-16 | FFG-17/18/35/44 omitted (built for Australia); Perry class commissioned 1977-1989 |
| USS John A. Moore | FFG-19 | FFG-17/18/35/44 omitted (built for Australia); Perry class commissioned 1977-1989 |
| USS Antrim | FFG-20 | FFG-17/18/35/44 omitted (built for Australia); Perry class commissioned 1977-1989 |
| USS Flatley | FFG-21 | FFG-17/18/35/44 omitted (built for Australia); Perry class commissioned 1977-1989 |
| USS Fahrion | FFG-22 | FFG-17/18/35/44 omitted (built for Australia); Perry class commissioned 1977-1989 |
| USS Lewis B. Puller | FFG-23 | FFG-17/18/35/44 omitted (built for Australia); Perry class commissioned 1977-1989 |
| USS Jack Williams | FFG-24 | FFG-17/18/35/44 omitted (built for Australia); Perry class commissioned 1977-1989 |
| USS Copeland | FFG-25 | FFG-17/18/35/44 omitted (built for Australia); Perry class commissioned 1977-1989 |
| USS Gallery | FFG-26 | FFG-17/18/35/44 omitted (built for Australia); Perry class commissioned 1977-1989 |
| USS Mahlon S. Tisdale | FFG-27 | FFG-17/18/35/44 omitted (built for Australia); Perry class commissioned 1977-1989 |
| USS Boone | FFG-28 | FFG-17/18/35/44 omitted (built for Australia); Perry class commissioned 1977-1989 |
| USS Stephen W. Groves | FFG-29 | FFG-17/18/35/44 omitted (built for Australia); Perry class commissioned 1977-1989 |
| USS Reid | FFG-30 | FFG-17/18/35/44 omitted (built for Australia); Perry class commissioned 1977-1989 |
| USS Stark | FFG-31 | FFG-17/18/35/44 omitted (built for Australia); Perry class commissioned 1977-1989 |
| USS John L. Hall | FFG-32 | FFG-17/18/35/44 omitted (built for Australia); Perry class commissioned 1977-1989 |
| USS Jarrett | FFG-33 | FFG-17/18/35/44 omitted (built for Australia); Perry class commissioned 1977-1989 |
| USS Aubrey Fitch | FFG-34 | FFG-17/18/35/44 omitted (built for Australia); Perry class commissioned 1977-1989 |
| USS Underwood | FFG-36 | FFG-17/18/35/44 omitted (built for Australia); Perry class commissioned 1977-1989 |
| USS Crommelin | FFG-37 | FFG-17/18/35/44 omitted (built for Australia); Perry class commissioned 1977-1989 |
| USS Curts | FFG-38 | FFG-17/18/35/44 omitted (built for Australia); Perry class commissioned 1977-1989 |
| USS Doyle | FFG-39 | FFG-17/18/35/44 omitted (built for Australia); Perry class commissioned 1977-1989 |
| USS Halyburton | FFG-40 | FFG-17/18/35/44 omitted (built for Australia); Perry class commissioned 1977-1989 |
| USS Mcclusky | FFG-41 | FFG-17/18/35/44 omitted (built for Australia); Perry class commissioned 1977-1989 |
| USS Klakring | FFG-42 | FFG-17/18/35/44 omitted (built for Australia); Perry class commissioned 1977-1989 |
| USS Thach | FFG-43 | FFG-17/18/35/44 omitted (built for Australia); Perry class commissioned 1977-1989 |
| USS De Wert | FFG-45 | FFG-17/18/35/44 omitted (built for Australia); Perry class commissioned 1977-1989 |
| USS Rentz | FFG-46 | FFG-17/18/35/44 omitted (built for Australia); Perry class commissioned 1977-1989 |
| USS Nicholas | FFG-47 | FFG-17/18/35/44 omitted (built for Australia); Perry class commissioned 1977-1989 |
| USS Vandegrift | FFG-48 | FFG-17/18/35/44 omitted (built for Australia); Perry class commissioned 1977-1989 |
| USS Robert G. Bradley | FFG-49 | FFG-17/18/35/44 omitted (built for Australia); Perry class commissioned 1977-1989 |
| USS Taylor | FFG-50 | FFG-17/18/35/44 omitted (built for Australia); Perry class commissioned 1977-1989 |
| USS Gary | FFG-51 | FFG-17/18/35/44 omitted (built for Australia); Perry class commissioned 1977-1989 |
| USS Carr | FFG-52 | FFG-17/18/35/44 omitted (built for Australia); Perry class commissioned 1977-1989 |
| USS Hawes | FFG-53 | FFG-17/18/35/44 omitted (built for Australia); Perry class commissioned 1977-1989 |
| USS Ford | FFG-54 | FFG-17/18/35/44 omitted (built for Australia); Perry class commissioned 1977-1989 |
| USS Elrod | FFG-55 | FFG-17/18/35/44 omitted (built for Australia); Perry class commissioned 1977-1989 |
| USS Simpson | FFG-56 | FFG-17/18/35/44 omitted (built for Australia); Perry class commissioned 1977-1989 |
| USS Reuben James | FFG-57 | FFG-17/18/35/44 omitted (built for Australia); Perry class commissioned 1977-1989 |
| USS Samuel B. Roberts | FFG-58 | FFG-17/18/35/44 omitted (built for Australia); Perry class commissioned 1977-1989 |
| USS Kauffman | FFG-59 | FFG-17/18/35/44 omitted (built for Australia); Perry class commissioned 1977-1989 |
| USS Rodney M. Davis | FFG-60 | FFG-17/18/35/44 omitted (built for Australia); Perry class commissioned 1977-1989 |
| USS Ingraham | FFG-61 | FFG-17/18/35/44 omitted (built for Australia); Perry class commissioned 1977-1989 |
VA Benefits & Legal Options for Oliver Hazard Perry FFG-7 Veterans
Veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, pleural plaques, or asbestos-related lung cancer who served aboard Oliver Hazard Perry FFG-7 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 Oliver Hazard Perry FFG-7 ships use asbestos?
Yes. The Oliver Hazard Perry FFG-7 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 Oliver Hazard Perry FFG-7 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 Oliver Hazard Perry FFG-7 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 Oliver Hazard Perry FFG-7?
If you or a family member served aboard Oliver Hazard Perry FFG-7, 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 ›