USS Farragut (DD-348)

The third U.S. Navy ship named to honor David Glasgow Farragut (5 July 1801-14 August 1870). See David Glasgow Farragut for additional information. The first Farragut (Torpedo Boat No. 11), was renamed Coast Torpedo Boat No. 5 on 1 August 1918, and served, with some interruptions, from 1899-1919. The second Farragut (Destroyer No. 300), was reclassified to DD-300 on 17 July 1920, and served from 1920-1930. The fourth Farragut , a guided missile frigate (DLG-6), was projected as DL-6 but reclassified on 14 November 1956, reclassified as a guided missile destroyer (DDG-37) on 30 June 1975, and served from 1960-1992. The fifth Farragut (DDG-99) was commissioned on 10 June 2006.

The third Farragut (DD-348) was laid down on 20 September 1932 at Quincy, Mass., by Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corp.; renamed Smith on 15 July 1933; renamed Farragut on 12 August 1933; sponsored by Mrs. James [Betsey C.] Roosevelt, the wife of one of the three sons of President Franklin D. Roosevelt; launched on 15 March 1934; and commissioned on 18 June 1934, Cmdr. Elliott Buckmaster in command.

Since the United States had curtailed destroyer construction because of the international treaties limiting naval armament following World War I, Farragut devoted much of her early service to developmental operations. The ship visited Newport, R.I. (1 September 1934), and then moored to Pier 32 at New York City (2–5 September). She completed her final acceptance trials at Hampton Roads, Va. (11–14 October). The ship sailed from Norfolk, Va., on 4 January 1935, briefly put into Boston, Mass. (11 January), and then set course for the Caribbean.

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From the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, compiled by the Naval History and Heritage Command (Farragut III (DD-348)). A work of the United States Government, in the public domain.