A former Plymouth scaffolder who worked on Royal Navy ships at Devonport dockyard died from an asbestos-related cancer, an inquest has heard.
Denis Tapp worked at the dockyard between 1978 and 1984, erecting and dismantling scaffolding on warships including HMS Ark Royal and HMS Eagle.
He also worked around the dockyard’s blacksmith shop.
Plymouth Coroner’s Court heard the dockyard was a “very dusty place to work”, with asbestos dust released from lagging that had been removed from boiler pipes on ships and at land-based locations.
Mr Tapp later developed pleural mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer affecting the lining around the lungs and chest wall.
He died in March 2025 at the age of 72.
The inquest heard Mr Tapp had instructed solicitors to pursue a civil compensation claim in connection with his asbestos exposure. He died before signing the legal statement required for the claim.
The coroner recorded that his death was caused by industrial diseases.
Mr Tapp’s case is another reminder of the long-term consequences of asbestos exposure for workers who spent their careers in shipbuilding, construction and associated trades.
Mesothelioma can develop decades after exposure, meaning illnesses linked to work carried out many years ago continue to emerge.
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: “Our thoughts are with Mr Tapp’s family and loved ones at this difficult time.”
