Bethlehem Steel Corporation Shipyard Asbestos Use & Lawsuits
Thousands of workers at shipyards owned and operated by Bethlehem Steel Corporation’s shipbuilding division were exposed to asbestos on the job, leaving many at risk of developing mesothelioma decades later. The Lanier Law Firm is committed to pursuing justice and compensation for those exposed to asbestos at Bethlehem Steel’s shipyards.
- Legally Reviewed By:
- Darron E. Berquist
- Page Last Updated:
- August 10, 2026
Navigate This Page
- Bethlehem Steel Corporation History and Asbestos Use
- Known Bethlehem Steel Shipyard Locations and Ships
- How Was Asbestos Used in Bethlehem Steel Shipyards?
- Who Could Have Been Exposed to Bethlehem Steel Asbestos?
- Can You Claim Compensation for Bethlehem Steel Asbestos Exposure?
- File a Bethlehem Steel Claim with Award-Winning Asbestos Lawyers Near You
- Bethlehem Steel Corporation FAQs
Bethlehem Steel Corporation History and Asbestos Use
Bethlehem Steel Corporation was one of the world’s largest steel producers, and its massive shipbuilding division played a major role in the production of naval vessels during and after World War II. Bethlehem was responsible for building roughly 4,000 commercial and military ships between 1905 and 1975 and for repairing thousands more.
Like most players in the shipbuilding industry, Bethlehem Steel extensively used asbestos in numerous applications, exposing countless shipyard workers to the toxic mineral.
Bethlehem Steel Bankruptcy
Bethlehem Steel filed for bankruptcy protection in 2001. It was dissolved and its assets liquidated in 2003. In addition to factors such as foreign competition and pension obligations, the company collapsed in part due to mounting liabilities owed to thousands of shipyard workers exposed to asbestos materials at its facilities.
Exposed to asbestos at a shipyard? Call our trusted attorneys today at 800-723-3216 to secure compensation with no upfront costs.
Known Bethlehem Steel Shipyard Locations and Ships
Key Highway
Located in Baltimore, the Key Highway shipyard produced Bay Steamers and other types of ships. Notable vessels include the steam-powered tugboats Baltimore I and Baltimore II.
Fort McHenry
Fort McHenry shipyard in Baltimore produced multiple historically significant ships before Bethlehem bought it. These include the gunboat USS Petrel, oil tanker SS Maverick, and the Argonaut, an early submarine.
Hingham Shipyard
Now a waterfront neighborhood southeast of Boston, Hingham Shipyard was a prolific producer of destroyer escort vessels during World War II. Hingham was responsible for about half of the 154 Buckley-class destroyer escorts produced by the U.S., as well as Cannon, Edwal, and Evarts-class ships.
Pier 70
This San Francisco shipyard produced both military and commercial vessels, with Bethlehem taking ownership in 1905. Many destroyers, cruisers, and other vessels were built at Pier 70 during World War II.
Fairfield Yard
Fairfield, another Bethlehem shipyard operating in Baltimore, was known for producing the so-called “Liberty ship,” a type of cargo vessel built in large numbers during World War II. Fairfield built the most Liberty ships of any shipyard in the U.S. at 384, including the S.S. Patrick Henry, the first such vessel built in the country.
Sparrows Point
Purchased by Bethlehem in 1916, Sparrows Point Shipyard in Baltimore was active during and long after World War II. The yard specialized in large commercial ships, including tankers and freighters. Sparrows Point’s last newly-built vessel, the USNS Tanner, was launched in 1990.
Alameda Shipyard
Acquired in 1916, Bethlehem’s shipyard in Alameda, California, was one of the largest on the West Coast. Bethlehem Alameda built 10 Admiral W.S. Benson-class troop transport ships to support the World War II effort, with the final two completed as civilian vessels after the war.
Fore River Shipyard
Based in Quincy, Massachusetts, the Fore River Shipyard produced a variety of notable military vessels during World War II. Notable ships include the USS Lexington aircraft carrier and five vessels present during the attack on Pearl Harbor, including the Battleship USS Nevada.
Staten Island Yard
Bethlehem’s Staten Island Yard, purchased by the company in 1938, produced 47 destroyers and many other vessels during World War II. Among the many destroyers built at Staten Island were the USS Mahan and USS Forrest Royal—the yard’s first and last, respectively.
How Was Asbestos Used in Bethlehem Steel Shipyards?
Lightweight, durable, and an effective insulator, asbestos was added to most shipbuilding components and materials. Nearly all areas of naval vessels contained asbestos. Thus, workers and sailors were always in close proximity to the material, and the risk of exposure was heightened in poorly ventilated areas.
Some of the products and components used in shipyards that frequently contained asbestos include:
- Gaskets, boilers, and other mechanical components
- Insulation for hatches, floors, walls, and ceilings
- Pipe wraps
- Sealants and adhesives
- Electrical wire coating
- Fireproof paint
Who Could Have Been Exposed to Bethlehem Steel Asbestos?
Since shipbuilding operations made such heavy use of asbestos, nearly every Bethlehem Steel Corporation shipyard worker was likely exposed, including:
- Welders and cutters: Those who used welding equipment in places like Bethlehem Steel Sparrows Point Shipyard and Bethlehem Fairfield Shipyard were likely exposed when the material was disturbed during construction and maintenance.
- Longshoremen: Dock workers at Hingham Shipyard and other locations often handled asbestos-containing materials and operated machinery with asbestos components.
- Shipfitters: Charged with building and assembling large, solid parts of vessels, shipfitters typically worked up close with asbestos-containing materials.
- Shipbreakers and repair workers: Those who maintained or decommissioned ships frequently came into contact with and disturbed asbestos components as part of their daily responsibilities.
- Sailors: Veterans who served in the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard were commonly exposed to asbestos while on board ships, often in tight and poorly-ventilated spaces.
Can You Claim Compensation for Bethlehem Steel Asbestos Exposure?
If you or a loved one has developed an illness from exposure to asbestos at a Bethlehem Steel facility, you may be eligible to pursue compensation through multiple paths, including:
- Mesothelioma lawsuits: You can pursue litigation in court and seek compensation for your losses from the companies responsible for your illness.
- Asbestos trust funds: If the company responsible for your exposure has filed for bankruptcy and established a trust fund to compensate victims, you may be eligible to file a claim with the fund.
- Mesothelioma claims after death: If your loved one has passed away from an asbestos-related disease like mesothelioma, your family may be eligible for compensation through a wrongful death claim.
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File a Bethlehem Steel Claim with Award-Winning Asbestos Lawyers Near You
Over more than 30 years of fighting and winning for injury victims, The Lanier Law Firm has built a national reputation for compassionate service, strong representation, and effective results. We’ve helped our clients recover billions of dollars in mesothelioma settlements and verdicts, and we’re ready to put our experience to work for you.
Our award-winning mesothelioma lawyers are dedicated to getting justice for victims of Bethlehem Steel Corporation asbestos exposure. We serve clients in all 50 states, including the following that had a Bethlehem Steel shipyard:
If you or a loved one was exposed to asbestos while working for Bethlehem Steel, our team can help you pursue the compensation your family deserves. Contact The Lanier Law Firm online or call 800-723-3216 today to schedule your free consultation.
Darron E. Berquist is dedicated to asbestos exposure and product liability. He was part of the team that secured a $4.69 billion jury verdict in Ingham v. Johnson & Johnson, linking asbestos in talcum powder to ovarian cancer. Recognized by Best Lawyers for Mass Tort and Product Liability Litigation (2024-2025).
Bethlehem Steel Corporation FAQs
Is Bethlehem Steel Still in Business?
No, Bethlehem Steel Corporation filed for bankruptcy in 2001 and dissolved in 2003 after facing thousands of asbestos exposure lawsuits.
Is There a Bethlehem Steel Asbestos Trust?
Bethlehem Steel has not established a trust fund to compensate workers exposed to asbestos. However, former Bethlehem Steel workers may be able to claim compensation from trust funds set up by companies that supplied asbestos materials and products to Bethlehem worksites.
Did Asbestos Exposure Occur at Bethlehem Steel Sites Other Than Shipyards?
Yes, many workers at Bethlehem’s steel mills were also exposed to asbestos. Mills like Bethlehem Steel’s facility in Lackawanna, New York, were notorious for exposing workers to asbestos.
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