1958 USS FARRAGUT. Leader of a class of big, fast, heavily-armed fleet escorts, originally classed as frigates and subsequently as guided-missile destroyers, which were built for the US Navy during the latter half of the 1950s.
THE FARRAGUT/COONTZ CLASS
Sometimes known as the Coontz class (USS Coontz was the first one laid down and the first to be commissioned, but Farragut was the first to be launched), these ships were developed from the Mitschers, designed in the years immediately following the end of the Second World War. They were fast enough to keep up with the fleet carriers, and were tasked with protecting them from air attack and warning of the presence of submarines. Farragut (DLG 6; DDG 37 after 1975) was constructed by Bethlehem at Quincy; laid down on 3 June 1957 she was launched on 18 July 1958 and completed on 10 December 1960. She was decommissioned on 31 October 1989 and sold on 16 December 1994.
WEAPONS AND EQUIPMENT
The Farraguts were originally designed with an all-gun armament four single 5in (127mm) and two twin 3m (76mm) but it had always been intended that Terrier missiles could replace the two after 5in gun mounts, and this became the standard; the installation was later upgraded to one operating Standard SM-1 Extended Range SAMs. ASROC replaced the second of the Forward 5in (127mm) guns, leaving them with just one, while the two twin 3m (76mm) mounts were replaced by reload stowage for ASROC missiles aboard Farragut, and by a quadruple launcher for Harpoon SSMs in the rest of the ships of the class. They had twin triple tubes for lightweight anti-submarine torpedoes, and could operate a helicopter (though were without hangar Facilities).
TECHNICAL DATA
Type: Guided-missile destroyer
Machinery: 2-shaft geared turbines producing a total of 85,000shp
Dimensions (overall): length, 156,3m (51 2.5ft); beam, 15.9m (52.4ft)
Displacement: 4170t light, 5650t deep load
Draught 5.3m (17.8ftfl
Complement: 360
