Farragut-class destroyer (1934)

1934 Destroyer class of the US Navy
the post–World War II ship class

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 , 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 ) 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. None were lost in battle, although only five survived the war. After numerous incremental improvements, the 1,500 tonners were succeeded by the 2,100 ton , 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 as opposed to the Clemsons 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 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. The Farragut class corrected this range deficiency by having a design range of as opposed to the Clemson's
The Farragut class destroyers were considered unstable in heavy weather and in turns. This was compounded by war time modifications that made them even more top heavy. Two of the destroyers, Hull and Monaghan, sank as a result of the December 1944 typhoon. One of the survivors stated

"The only thing I could complain about is ever since we left [Seattle] the ship seemed top heavy. I was on there for two years. Ever since we left [the shipyard] in October 1944, she seemed to roll worse than she ever did. Even in the calmest weather and even when anchored, she seemed to roll lots more than she used to." A court of inquiry after the loss concluded that [the] basic stability of the Farragut class ships "is materially less than other destroyers."