⚓ U.S. Navy — Attack Submarines
Sturgeon SSN-637
The Sturgeon SSN-637 consisted of 38 vessels. Like all U.S. Navy attack submarines built during the asbestos era, these ships used asbestos-containing insulation throughout their engineering plants. Veterans who served in engineering spaces aboard Sturgeon SSN-637 ships may have been exposed to asbestos fibers.
Asbestos Exposure Aboard Sturgeon SSN-637 Ships
Asbestos was the standard thermal insulation material in U.S. Navy attack submarines built before approximately 1980. Common sources of asbestos exposure aboard Sturgeon SSN-637 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 attack submarines, see the Attack Submarines asbestos overview ›
At-Risk Ratings Aboard Sturgeon SSN-637 Ships
The following ratings had regular contact with asbestos-containing materials aboard attack submarines 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 Sturgeon SSN-637 (38 vessels)
| Ship Name | Hull No. | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| USS Sturgeon | SSN-637 | Highest asbestos-exposure risk of any ship type — confined spaces, recirculated air |
| USS Whale | SSN-638 | Highest asbestos-exposure risk of any ship type — confined spaces, recirculated air |
| USS Tautog | SSN-639 | Highest asbestos-exposure risk of any ship type — confined spaces, recirculated air |
| USS Grayling | SSN-646 | Highest asbestos-exposure risk of any ship type — confined spaces, recirculated air |
| USS Pogy | SSN-647 | Highest asbestos-exposure risk of any ship type — confined spaces, recirculated air |
| USS Aspro | SSN-648 | Highest asbestos-exposure risk of any ship type — confined spaces, recirculated air |
| USS Sunfish | SSN-649 | Highest asbestos-exposure risk of any ship type — confined spaces, recirculated air |
| USS Pargo | SSN-650 | Highest asbestos-exposure risk of any ship type — confined spaces, recirculated air |
| USS Queenfish | SSN-651 | Highest asbestos-exposure risk of any ship type — confined spaces, recirculated air |
| USS Puffer | SSN-652 | Highest asbestos-exposure risk of any ship type — confined spaces, recirculated air |
| USS Ray | SSN-653 | Highest asbestos-exposure risk of any ship type — confined spaces, recirculated air |
| USS Sand Lance | SSN-660 | Highest asbestos-exposure risk of any ship type — confined spaces, recirculated air |
| USS Lapon | SSN-661 | Highest asbestos-exposure risk of any ship type — confined spaces, recirculated air |
| USS Gurnard | SSN-662 | Highest asbestos-exposure risk of any ship type — confined spaces, recirculated air |
| USS Hammerhead | SSN-663 | Highest asbestos-exposure risk of any ship type — confined spaces, recirculated air |
| USS Sea Devil | SSN-664 | Highest asbestos-exposure risk of any ship type — confined spaces, recirculated air |
| USS Guitarro | SSN-665 | Highest asbestos-exposure risk of any ship type — confined spaces, recirculated air |
| USS Hawkbill | SSN-666 | Highest asbestos-exposure risk of any ship type — confined spaces, recirculated air |
| USS Bergall | SSN-667 | Highest asbestos-exposure risk of any ship type — confined spaces, recirculated air |
| USS Spadefish | SSN-668 | Highest asbestos-exposure risk of any ship type — confined spaces, recirculated air |
| USS Seahorse | SSN-669 | Highest asbestos-exposure risk of any ship type — confined spaces, recirculated air |
| USS Finback | SSN-670 | Highest asbestos-exposure risk of any ship type — confined spaces, recirculated air |
| USS Narwhal | SSN-671 | Highest asbestos-exposure risk of any ship type — confined spaces, recirculated air |
| USS Pintado | SSN-672 | Highest asbestos-exposure risk of any ship type — confined spaces, recirculated air |
| USS Flying Fish | SSN-673 | Highest asbestos-exposure risk of any ship type — confined spaces, recirculated air |
| USS Trepang | SSN-674 | Highest asbestos-exposure risk of any ship type — confined spaces, recirculated air |
| USS Bluefish | SSN-675 | Highest asbestos-exposure risk of any ship type — confined spaces, recirculated air |
| USS Billfish | SSN-676 | Highest asbestos-exposure risk of any ship type — confined spaces, recirculated air |
| USS Drum | SSN-677 | Highest asbestos-exposure risk of any ship type — confined spaces, recirculated air |
| USS Archerfish | SSN-678 | Highest asbestos-exposure risk of any ship type — confined spaces, recirculated air |
| USS Silversides | SSN-679 | Highest asbestos-exposure risk of any ship type — confined spaces, recirculated air |
| USS William H. Bates | SSN-680 | Highest asbestos-exposure risk of any ship type — confined spaces, recirculated air |
| USS Batfish | SSN-681 | Highest asbestos-exposure risk of any ship type — confined spaces, recirculated air |
| USS Tunny | SSN-682 | Highest asbestos-exposure risk of any ship type — confined spaces, recirculated air |
| USS Parche | SSN-683 | Highest asbestos-exposure risk of any ship type — confined spaces, recirculated air |
| USS Cavalla | SSN-684 | Highest asbestos-exposure risk of any ship type — confined spaces, recirculated air |
| USS L. Mendel Rivers | SSN-686 | Highest asbestos-exposure risk of any ship type — confined spaces, recirculated air |
| USS Richard B. Russell | SSN-687 | Highest asbestos-exposure risk of any ship type — confined spaces, recirculated air |
VA Benefits & Legal Options for Sturgeon SSN-637 Veterans
Veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, pleural plaques, or asbestos-related lung cancer who served aboard Sturgeon SSN-637 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 Attack Submarines › 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 Sturgeon SSN-637 ships use asbestos?
Yes. The Sturgeon SSN-637 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 Sturgeon SSN-637 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 Sturgeon SSN-637 ships?
Common asbestos products used in U.S. Navy attack submarines 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 Sturgeon SSN-637?
If you or a family member served aboard Sturgeon SSN-637, 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 ›