USS T-2 SS-60/SF-2 (AA-2)
USS T-2 SS-60 was an AA-1 class submarine that was also known as AA-2. She was first laid down under the name AA-2 on May 31, 1917 at the Fore River Shipbuilding Company yard located in Quincy, Massachusetts. She was eventually re-designated SF-2 in July of 1920, and then renamed T-2 in September of the same year when the Navy adopted the alphanumeric system for their hull designations. She was commissioned on January 7, 1922 at the Boston Navy Yard with Lieutenant Clarke Withers in command. The AA-1 class submarines consisted of three experimental subs that were built toward the end of World War I.
Service
T-2 was one of three total subs designed and constructed with the aim of developing fleet submarines. The goal of fleet submarines was to assemble a vessel that acted as an undersea boat, possessing both sea-keeping qualities and the endurance necessary to operate across long ranges. They were also intended to operate as scouts for the surface fleet. T-2 was the third and final T-boat to be placed in commission, and only actively served for eighteen months. Just as her sister ships did, T-2 operated as a part of Submarine Division 15, conducting various maneuvers and training crews with the Atlantic Fleet. Consequently, the design and construction flaws of this group of submarines came to light, leading to her short tenure.
Decommissioning
T-2 was decommissioned on July 16, 1923 at the Submarine Base located in Hampton Roads, Virginia. She was eventually moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania lying inactive for seven years. Her name was struck from the Navy Vessel Register on September 19, 1930, after which she was broken apart and the metal sold for scrap that same year.
Asbestos in Navy Ships
Although an essential component of the naval fleet, especially throughout conflicts of the last century, submarines also pose a lasting health risk to soldiers serving on them. However, these risks extend beyond the inherent dangers that existed while operating the vessels during military conflicts. Unfortunately, products containing asbestos were also common aboard submarines because of the material’s high resistance to heat and fire. Despite its value as an insulator, asbestos fiber intake can lead to several serious health consequences, including mesothelioma, a devastating cancer without cure. Furthermore, the enclosed environment of submarines put servicemen at an even higher risk of exposure. Current and former military personnel who came into contact with or served on submarines should seek immediate medical attention in order to detect possible health consequences associated with asbestos exposure.
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