Farragut-class destroyer (1934)
_underway_at_sea_on_14_September_1936.jpg)
USS Farragut in 1936
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| Class overview | |
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| Name: | Farragut class |
| Builders: | |
| Operators: |
 United States Navy
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| Preceded by: | Clemson class |
| Succeeded by: | Porter class |
| Built: | 1932–35 |
| In commission: | 1934–45 |
| Completed: | 8 |
| Lost: | 3 |
| Retired: | 5 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Destroyer |
| Displacement: |
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| Length: | 341 ft 3 in (104.01 m) |
| Beam: | 34 ft 3 in (10.44 m) |
| Draft: | 16 ft 2 in (4.93 m) |
| Installed power: |
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| Propulsion: | 2 shafts |
| Speed: | 37 knots (69 km/h; 43 mph) |
| Range: | 5,980 nautical miles (11,070 km; 6,880 mi) at 12 kn (22 km/h; 14 mph) |
| Complement: |
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| Armament: |
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The Farragut-class destroyers were a class of eight 1,365-ton destroyers in the United States Navy, and the first US destroyers of post-World War I design. Their construction, along with the Porter class, was authorized by Congress on 29 April 1916, but funding was delayed considerably. Limited to 1,500 tons standard displacement by the provisions of the London Naval Treaty of 1930, the ships were laid down beginning in 1932 and were completed by 1935. After 12 years since the last of the previous class of American destroyers (the Clemson class) was commissioned, the Farraguts were commissioned in 1934 and 1935.
These ships were slightly larger than their predecessors, faster, and they had only two stacks, versus the four stacks common to all the earlier classes. The class was the first of six classes of 1,500-ton destroyers built in the 1930s to modernize the United States Navy, and all eight Farraguts saw extensive front-line service during World War II. After numerous incremental improvements, the 1,500-tonners were succeeded by the 2,100-ton Fletcher class, which was not subject to treaty restrictions.
The Farraguts were a considerable improvement from previous destroyers, taking advantage of technological advances during the 12-year gap in destroyer production. The impact of aircraft on naval warfare was reflected in their heavy dual-purpose main gun armament. They also had greatly improved machinery and greater fuel capacity that extended their range to 5,980 nautical miles (11,070 km; 6,880 mi) as opposed to the Clemsons' 4,900 nautical miles (9,100 km; 5,600 mi). Their larger size and improved habitability soon earned them the nickname of "goldplaters" from the crews of older destroyers.
The list of desired improvements compiled from the operational experience of the earlier Wickes and Clemson classes was both long and comprehensive. Both classes had pointed sterns that deeply dug into the water, greatly increasing turning diameter. This was addressed with the transom stern design of the Farragut class. The previous classes were flush deck designs; while providing good hull strength, this proved to be wet in high seas. This was addressed with the raised forecastle employed on the Farragut class. Cruising range on both the Wickes and Clemson classes had been a constant affliction of commanders; the Clemsons had been built with wing tanks giving better range, but at the cost of having high mounted fuel oil on both sides—a decidedly vulnerable feature in a ship without an armored belt such as a destroyer. The Farragut class corrected this range deficiency by having a design range of 5,980 nautical miles (11,070 km; 6,880 mi) as opposed to the Clemson's 4,900 nautical miles (9,100 km; 5,600 mi). Steady improvements to both boilers and steam turbines in the years between the Clemson and Farragut designs allowed this improved range, along with greater speed and a reduction from 4 to 2 stacks.
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