Savannah Area Exposure Map
Documented Exposure Sites
| # | Facility | Industry | Active Period | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Southeastern Shipbuilding Corporation | WWII Naval Shipbuilding | 1942–1946 | Critical |
| 2 | Union Camp Corp. Pulp Mill | Paper & Pulp Manufacturing | 1936–1999 | High |
| 3 | Port of Savannah (Garden City Terminal) | Maritime / Longshoremen | 1945–present | High |
| 4 | Hercules Inc. Savannah Plant | Chemical Manufacturing | 1952–2000 | High |
| 5 | Georgia Power Plant McManus (Savannah) | Electric Power Generation | 1950–1985 | Moderate |
Southeastern Shipbuilding Corporation: Liberty Ships on the Savannah River
Southeastern Shipbuilding Corporation operated on the Savannah River from 1942 through the end of World War II, building Liberty ships for the U.S. Merchant Marine and war cargo vessels for the Navy. At its wartime peak, the shipyard employed approximately 15,000 workers — making it one of the largest industrial employers in Georgia history. Asbestos insulation was applied throughout every vessel built at Southeastern: on steam pipes, in boiler rooms, throughout engine rooms, and on interior bulkheads.
Workers including pipefitters, insulators, boilermakers, and shipfitters accumulated substantial asbestos exposure in the confined spaces of ships under construction. Because asbestos fibers could not dissipate in enclosed hull sections, workers in lower decks and engine spaces faced particularly intense exposure. Secondary exposure also affected workers in adjacent trades — electricians, carpenters, and painters who worked in spaces where insulation was being applied or disturbed.
Former Southeastern Shipbuilding workers and their surviving families may have claims against the manufacturers of asbestos insulation products used at the shipyard. Many of these manufacturers established bankruptcy trusts that continue to pay compensation to eligible claimants, and these trust claims can often be filed separately from any court litigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Southeastern Shipbuilding Corporation operated on the Savannah River from 1942 through the end of World War II, building Liberty ships for the U.S. Merchant Marine and war cargo vessels for the Navy. Asbestos insulation was applied throughout every vessel — on steam pipes, boiler rooms, engine rooms, and interior bulkheads. Workers including pipefitters, insulators, boilermakers, and shipfitters accumulated substantial asbestos exposure. Former Southeastern Shipbuilding workers and their surviving families may have claims against the manufacturers of asbestos insulation products used at the shipyard.
Chatham County Superior Court in Savannah handles Georgia asbestos cases filed in the Savannah area. Georgia provides 2 years from the date of diagnosis to file a mesothelioma lawsuit under O.C.G.A. §9-3-33. Savannah-area attorneys who specialize in mesothelioma litigation can file cases in Chatham County and, when appropriate, seek transfer to Fulton County (Atlanta) for consolidated asbestos dockets.