Paulding-class destroyer

USS Paulding at Queenstown, Ireland in 1918
Class overview
NamePaulding class
BuildersVarious
Operators
Preceded bySmith class
Succeeded byCassin class
SubclassesMonaghan
Built1908–1912
In commission1910–1931
Completed21
Retired21
General characteristics
TypeDestroyer
Displacement
  • 742 long tons (754 t) (normal)
  • 887 long tons (901 t) (full load)
Length293 ft 0 in (89.31 m) overall
Beam26 ft 3 in (8.00 m)
Draft8 ft 0 in (2.44 m)
Installed power
Propulsion3 × shafts
Speed29.5 kn (54.6 km/h; 33.9 mph) (design)
Range3,000 nmi (5,600 km; 3,500 mi) at 16 kn (30 km/h; 18 mph)
Capacity241 long tons (245 t) oil (fuel)
Complement
  • 4 officers
  • 82 enlisted
Armament

The Paulding-class destroyers were a series of United States Navy destroyers derived from the Smith class with the torpedo tubes increased from three to six via twin mounts. They were the first destroyers in the US Navy with oil-fired boilers. The 21 Pauldings doubled the number of destroyers in the US Navy. The Paulding class derived its name from the class's lead ship, Paulding, named for Rear Admiral Hiram Paulding (1797–1878). Like the Smiths, they were nicknamed "flivvers" after the small and shaky Model T Ford once the larger "thousand tonner" destroyers entered service.