Jacksonville Naval Shipbuilding Asbestos Exposure and Historical Documentation

Comprehensive Research Database for Maritime Workers and Navy Veterans

Jacksonville's maritime heritage spans from the 1850s through current operations as the third-largest naval facility in the United States. Naval Station Mayport, combined with historical shipyards like Merrill-Stevens and St. Johns River Shipbuilding, created extensive occupational asbestos exposure for both military personnel and civilian workers. This research database documents the scope of shipbuilding operations and asbestos use patterns that have resulted in thousands of mesothelioma cases among Jacksonville maritime workers.

Naval Station Mayport Operations

Strategic Importance

Classification: 3rd largest naval surface fleet concentration in United States
Homeport: 22 US Navy ships including guided-missile cruisers and destroyers
Harbor Capacity: Accommodates 34 warships including two aircraft carriers
Runway Facility: 8,001-foot runway handling most Department of Defense aircraft

Historical Development

Commission Date: December 1942 as Naval Sea Frontier Base
WWII Expansion: Reclassified as Naval Auxiliary Air Station (1944)
Post-War Evolution: Coast Guard operations (1947), reactivation (1948)
Modern Designation: Naval Air Station status achieved (1988)

Asbestos Exposure Factors

• Extensive ship maintenance and repair operations
• Aircraft carrier and destroyer servicing
• 24/7 operations creating continuous exposure risks

• Confined shipboard working conditions
• Limited respiratory protection through 1970s
• Legacy asbestos materials in older facility structures

Current Risk Assessment: Ongoing maintenance of ships built during heavy asbestos era (1940s-1980s) continues under modern safety protocols for asbestos-containing material handling.

Historical Jacksonville Shipyards

St. Johns River Shipbuilding Company (1942-1945)

WWII Production: 82 Liberty ships for military transport
Peak Employment: Over 20,000 workers in 1944

Maritime Commission Investment: $17 million federal funding
Established By: Merrill-Stevens with federal partnership

Closure: Production ended with war conclusion (1945)

Merrill-Stevens Dry Dock and Repair (1887-1950s)

Historical Significance: Largest dry dock on East Coast between Newport News and New Orleans
Peak Employment: 1,500 workers in early 20th century

Panama Canal Connection: Constructed barges used in Panama Canal construction
Modern Legacy: Company relocated to Miami, continues yacht construction

Asbestos Era: Extensive use during ship repair and maintenance operations

Gibbs Shipyard Operations

WWII Production: Sub chasers, minesweepers, covered lighters, tugboats
Growth Period: Largest ship builder in the South by 1960s

Acquisition: Sold to Jacksonville industrialist Bill Lovett (1962)
Transition: Became Jacksonville Shipyards, later Fruehauf Corporation

Modern Jacksonville Maritime Operations

BAE Systems Jacksonville Ship Repair

Location: Two miles up St. Johns River from Atlantic Ocean
Infrastructure: Floating dry dock (13,500-ton lift), marine railway (4,000-ton lift)

Expansion: $200 million shiplift system investment (completion mid-2025)
Employment Impact: 300-400 new jobs expected from expansion

Services: Full-service shipyard for military and commercial vessels

Fincantieri Marine Repair

Establishment: 2022 presence for Navy vessel maintenance
Capabilities: 500-foot Navy-certified dry dock operations

Location: Mayport area marine infrastructure improvements
Mission: Maintenance and repairs for Mayport-stationed vessels

General Dynamics NASSCO-Mayport

Address: 599 Wonderwood Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32233
Services: Naval vessel support and maintenance operations
Integration: Works closely with Naval Station Mayport operations

Jacksonville-Specific Legal Considerations

Maritime Legal Jurisdiction Advantages

Federal maritime jurisdiction advantages for naval and shipyard worker cases

Strong Navy veteran legal precedents established in Florida federal courts

Access to specialized legal representation in Northeast Florida

Proximity to federal courts with extensive maritime expertise

Local Jacksonville Medical Resources

Mayo Clinic Cancer Center - Jacksonville

Specialized mesothelioma treatment and research

UF Health Proton Therapy Institute

Advanced cancer treatment in Jacksonville

Related Jacksonville Naval Exposure Research

Our comprehensive database documents over 1,770+ verified asbestos exposure sites across Florida, with detailed facility information specific to Jacksonville's naval and maritime operations.

→ View All Naval Shipyard Facilities → Government Facilities Database → Jacksonville Legal Resources → All Jacksonville Exposure Sites

Important Legal Information

If you worked at Naval Station Mayport, BAE Systems Jacksonville, or any of the historical shipyards including St. Johns River Shipbuilding, Merrill-Stevens, or Gibbs Shipyard and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, or other asbestos-related diseases, you may be entitled to significant compensation. Get free legal consultation for mesothelioma claims .

Additional Naval Legal Resources

Navy Veteran Resources

Navy Veteran Asbestos Rights - Comprehensive legal guide
Shipyard Worker Legal Rights - Maritime worker protections
Mesothelioma Compensation Guide - Claims process information

Legal Disclaimer

This information is provided for educational and research purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and individual circumstances. For specific legal guidance regarding Jacksonville naval asbestos exposure claims, consult with qualified attorneys specializing in maritime and naval asbestos litigation.