Document 2J1q1b72b340GDvxBd99XpYrp

j.n. nr:p;\:iTMCi\tr or coMMr.ncc P.'litritimn Aiiininnitr.'ition WuslMnolun. U C. October 23, 1973 Johns Manville Soles Corporation Attention: Hr. P. F. Coggins Area Sales Manager 270 fedison Avenue New York, New York 10016 L - i ;0 f-. f. ><* t Subject: Request for Performance Pvaluation of J. M. "Marinite" Joiner BulkhcnJ Panels Aboard S.S. SEA WITCH as Result of Collision and Fire on June 2, 1973 with S.S. ESSO BRUSSELS Reference: (a) Meeting at MarAd, October 18, 1973 attended *** Mr. P. F. Coggins - Johns Manville Co. Mr. L. 0.Polland - MarAd Mr. B. Tower - MarAd Gentlemen: This is to acknowledge our conversation during the occasion of Reference (a) meeting. Your request for our evaluation of the subject material based upon our survey of S.S. SEA WITCH after the fire may best be answered by quoting, in part, from my own report 'n the Maritime Administration. 5 . ' "Joiner Bulkheads, lininrs thH ccllinrs As specified in MarAd Material Specification 32-Mv-ib are of abestos fiber, hydrous calcium silicate and an inorgnnic binder. In every case the "marinite." material preserve) the Integrity of the space it was designed to protect. Only in way of the reefer explosion where the paneling was blown down did fire break through and consume the contents of the space. In contrast, the flaimable material In ESSO BRUSSEL'S joiner work was largely responsible for the complete destruction of the acconsaodation spaces and the attendant loss of life aboard chat ship." Xpc ' '^UrtJkllu4JL lfey-6/c 12 - "Hundreds of American seamen ewe chelr lives to the use of asbestos based caleiua silicate bulkhead material* Die elimination of asbestos based materials is under serious consideration in view of health hasards apparent in manufacture and field cutting. It has been shown that asbestos dust has been responsible for a form of lung cancer known as mesothelioma* * t | Correspondence with manufactures in this country reveals chat significant steps are under way to eliminate the hazard. If we are to effectively continue to safeguard American ships from fire hasards we should approach wleh caution the elimination of asbestos which has no substitute known to us. with equal fire . resisting integrity*" Ve hope that this fulfills your request and may we take this opportunity to thank you for the cooperation you have displayed in past years without which our specifications would certainly have been incomplete end infinitely more difficult to maintain. Sincerely, . LEON 0. KJLLAHD Division of Ship Design Office of Ship Construction i