The Fletcher-Class (DD-476-481) Destroyers The Fletcher Class of destroyers in the US Navy were the most widely used in any navy during the World War II period. There were 175 of them built during a two and a half year period during the war. The Fletchers were a well liked "Tin Can" by officers and men alike. Some Commanders thought them to be the Perfect Fighting Destroyer. They were all considered Sister Ships, but no two were exactly alike. They were all flush deckers whereas earlier classes had a raised forecastle deck. There were two distinct differences in ships of the class. Earliest Fletchers had a rounded front wheelhouse with open bridge wings and a high gun director; later ones had a squared off wheelhouse with open bridge forward and on both sides; the gun director was also lowered to help alleviate the top heavy tendancy of the class. There were a few ships that were outfitted with an aircraft catapult, but it didn't work out very well and they were later outfitted like the others. The CLAXTON, being one of the earlier ships of the class, had the rounded front wheelhouse and high gun director. An open walkway was installed around the front of the wheelhouse in early 1944. BASIC FLETCHER CLASS SPECIFICATIONS
LENGTH OVERALL: 376 Ft. 6 in.
BEAM: 39 Ft. 8 in.
DRAFT: 1`3 Ft. 5 in.
DISPLACEMENT: 2150 tons (Standard)
DISPLACEMENT: actual 2800 tons or more
SHAFT HORSEPOWER: 60,000
SPEED: 35 knots (trials)
RANGE: 4900 nautical miles (varied) | 
