Farragut class destroyer (1934)

The "Farragut"-class destroyers were a class of eight 1,365-ton destroyers in the United States Navy.

Following provisions of the London Naval Treaty of 1930, the ships were laid down between 1932 and completed by 1935. After more than 14 years since the last of the "Clemson"-class was commissioned, the "Farraguts" were commissioned in 1934 and 1935.

These ships were slightly larger than their predecessors, faster and had only two stacks, versus the earlier four. They were the first of six classes of 1500-ton destroyers built in the 1930's to modernize the United States Navy, and all saw extensive front-line service during World War II.

Armament

:As Built: They were the first to get five of the then new Mark 12 5"(127mm)/38cal gun installed in five Mark 21 dual-purpose single mounts. cite web |url=http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNUS_5-38_mk12.htm|title=5"/38 (12.7 cm) Mark 12 |accessdate=2007-09-08] The forward two mounts (No's 51 and 52) were partially enclosed. ("see in picture") The midship mount (No 53) and the after two mounts (No's 54 and 55) were open. Just aft of mount 53 were two trainable torpedo tube mounts with four 21" (533mm) tubes on each. On the 01 deck, aft of mount 52, there were two single .50cal (12.7mm) machine guns mounts next to the port and starboard rails. Two more .50cal MG's were on the main deck, midship.:c1943: Due to the need for greater antiaircraft protection, the .50cal MG's and Mount 53 were replaced by 20mm and 40mm AA weapons. The type and quantity varied form ship to ship depending on when and where they were refitted. Also Depth Charge roll-off stern racks were added.

All ships were present at the attack on Pearl Harbor. "Worden" ran aground in Alaskan waters in 1943. "Hull" and "Monaghan" were lost in a typhoon in 1944. The remaining five ships survived World War II to be broken up for scrap shortly after the end of the war.

List of Farragut class ships

*USS|Farragut|DD-348
*USS|Dewey|DD-349
*USS|Hull|DD-350
*USS|Macdonough|DD-351
*USS|Worden|DD-352
*USS|Dale|DD-353
*USS|Monaghan|DD-354
*USS|Aylwin|DD-355

Notes

ee also

*"Farragut"-class destroyer (1958)

External links

* [http://www.destroyerhistory.org/goldplater/farragutclass.html "Farragut"-class destroyers] at [http://www.destroyerhistory.org/index.html Destroyer History Foundation]