USS Fanning (DD-37)

The first USS "Fanning" (DD-37) was a modified "Paulding"-class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War I and later in the United States Coast Guard, designated as CG-11. She was named for Nathaniel Fanning.

"Fanning" was launched 11 January 1912 by Newport News Shipbuilding Company, Newport News, Virginia; sponsored by Mrs. Kenneth McAlpine; and commissioned 21 June 1912, Lieutenant W. N. Jeffers in command. She was classified DD-37 on 17 July 1920.

In the years that preceded World War I, "Fanning" took part in the training schedule of the Atlantic Fleet, sailing to the Caribbean for winter maneuvers, and exercising off the coast of New England in the summers. Based at Norfolk, Virginia during the major portion of each year, she joined in gunnery practice in this area.

As war raged in Europe, "Fanning" intensified her preparations for any eventuality. When two German auxiliary cruisers visited Norfolk in September 1916, "Fanning" acted as part of their escort while they sailed in United States territorial waters. On 8 October 1916 "Fanning" put out of Newport, Rhode Island, to search for the crews of ships sunk not far from Nantucket Light Ship by the German submarine U-58. The destroyer recovered six survivors and landed them at Newport, Rhode Island the next day. The presence of U-58 led to the speculation that a secret German submarine base might exist in the Long Island Sound-Block Island Sound area; "Fanning" searched from 12 October to 14 October for evidence of such a base but found nothing, and returned to her regular operating schedule.

During the latter half of October 1916, "Fanning" and the fuel ship "Jason" -conducted experiments to develop methods of oiling at sea, a technique which has since given the United States Navy unbounded mobility and sea-keeping qualities. Torpedo and gunnery practices, and fleet maneuvers during the next 8 months sharpened "Fanning's" war-readiness, so that she was able to sail for distant service when called on in June 1917.

Based on Queenstown, Ireland, "Fanning" and her sister destroyers patrolled the eastern Atlantic, escorting convoys and rescuing survivors of sunken merchantmen. In the afternoon of 17 November 1917 an alert lookout on board "Fanning" sighted the periscope of U-58, and the destroyer quickly moved in on the attack. "Fanning's" first depth charge pattern scored, and as "Nicholson (DD-52)" joined the action, the submarine broke the surface, her crew pouring out on deck, hands raised in surrender. "Fanning" maneuvered to pick up the prisoners as the damaged submarine plunged to the bottom, the first of two U-boats to fall victim to United States Navy destroyers in World War I.

"Fanning" continued escort and patrol duty for the duration of the war. Though she made numerous submarine contacts, all of her attacks were inconclusive. On many occasions she went to the aid of torpedoed ships, rescuing survivors and carrying them into port. On 8 October 1918, she picked up a total of 103 survivors, 25 from a merchantman and 78 from the French cruiser "Dupetit Thouars".

"Fanning" passed in review before President Woodrow Wilson on board transport "George Washington" in Brest Harbor on 13 December 1918, then remained at Brest until March of the following year. After a quick voyage to Plymouth, England, "Fanning" departed Brest for the States, by way of Lisbon, Portugal, and Ponta Delgada, Azores, in company with several other destroyers, and escorting a large group of submarine chasers.

"Fanning" was placed out of commission at Philadelphia on 24 November 1919. On 7 June 1924 she was transferred to the Coast Guard with whom she served until 24 November 1930. "Fanning" was sold for scrap 2 May 1934.

References

*DANFS|http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/f1/fanning-i.htm