Summary: The U.S. Navy's evolution of destroyer classes highlights significant advancements in naval warfare, from the early 20th century Bainbridge class to the modern Zumwalt class. The Bainbridge class, launched in 1899, represented the U.S. Navy's first foray into destroyer construction, emphasizing speed and maneuverability with its coal-fired boilers. The Clemson class, built post-World War I, was notable for its increased range and anti-submarine capabilities, despite being involved in the Honda Point Disaster. The Fletcher class, the most produced destroyer of World War II, combined armor and firepower with a design regarded as highly successful. The Arleigh Burke class, still active today, introduced stealth techniques and modern radar systems, making it one of the largest and most advanced U.S. destroyers. Finally, the Zumwalt class, envisioned as a multi-mission stealth vessel, represents a costly but forward-looking step in destroyer design, despite its program being significantly scaled back. Together, these classes illustrate the U.S. Navy's continuous adaptation and technological progression in destroyer development.

Evolution of American Might: The Top Five U.S. Destroyer Classes Through History

The destroyer as a warship type is well regarded for its speed, maneuverability, and endurance. Built primarily to escort larger vessels like battleships and aircraft carriers into battle, the destroyer is a quiet staple of naval warfare, operating since the dawn of the 20th century. The U.S. Navy alone has built more than 1,000 destroyers. Let’s take a closer look and consider the top five U.S. destroyer classes that ever sailed.

Bainbridge-Class

The first destroyer the U.S. ever laid down was the Bainbridge class in 1899. Authorized in the wake of the Spanish-American War, 13 Bainbridge-class destroyers were built before 1903. While rudimentary by today’s standards, the Bainbridge’s coal-fired boilers and triple-expansion engines were highly advanced for 1899. The boilers supplied 275 pounds per square inch, which was sufficient to propel the Bainbridge at 28 knots per hour. One Bainbridge, the USS Chauncy, was sunk during World War One after a collision with the British SS Rose.

Clemson-Class

Between 1919 and 1922, the Navy built 156 Clemson-class destroyers. The Clemson, which became the most numerously produced destroyer of the World War One era, was a minor redesign of the Wickes-class destroyer, featuring improved fuel capacity. Known colloquially as “flush-deckers,” “four-stackers,” or “four-pipers,” the Clemson vessels were slower than the Wickes, but had better range and more room for storing depth charges. The result was a destroyer more adept at hunting and killing enemy submarines.

Fourteen Clemson-class destroyers were involved in the 1923 Honda Point Disaster, the largest peacetime loss of Navy ships in U.S. history. Seven Clemsons sank, killing 23 sailors, when their ships ran aground just north of the Santa Barbara Channel.

Fletcher-Class

During World War II, the largest and most produced destroyer was the Fletcher-class. 

One hundred and seventy-five Fletcher-class destroyers were built during the war. The design was commonly held to be a success, offering an improvement of preceding classes like the Porter and the Somers. Measuring almost 370 feet, and displacing 2,500 tons, the Fletcher was well equipped with armor and firepower. In all, 19 Fletchers were lost during World War II, while another six were damaged so severely that they never returned to service. 

Of the 25 Fletchers sunk or severely damaged, 17 were lost between March and July of 1945 in the heavy fighting off the coast of Okinawa.  

Arleigh Burke-Class

Still in service today, the Arleigh Burke-class was first laid down in 1988. A total of 73 Arleigh Burke destroyers have been built, making this class a staple of the post-Cold War Navy. 

Over 500 feet long, with a displacement ranging from 8,300 to 9,700 tons, the Arleigh Burke is one of the largest U.S. destroyers ever. Only the Spruance, Kidd, and Zumwalt are longer than the Arleigh Burke.

The Arleigh Burke incorporates some stealth techniques, including angles, surfaces, and the raked tripod mainmast that make the vessel more difficult to detect by radar. The Arleigh Burke is built primarily from steel, and it is loaded with modern radar equipment and weapons systems.

Zumwalt-Class

The destroyer of the future, the Zumwalt class was designed to be a multi-mission stealth vessel specializing in land attack. The Zumwalt is controversial in that the ship was so expensive – costing over $4 billion per unit and $22 billion as a program. 

Originally, 32 Zumwalts were planned, but the class was canceled after just three were built. Ultimately, the Zumwalt is not likely to be remembered as a vaunted ship. But it will probably be noted as a bridge to the future of destroyer design.  

About the Author 

Harrison Kass is a defense and national security writer with over 1,000 total pieces on issues involving global affairs. An attorney, pilot, guitarist, and minor pro hockey player, Harrison joined the US Air Force as a Pilot Trainee but was medically discharged. Harrison holds a BA from Lake Forest College, a JD from the University of Oregon, and an MA from New York University. Harrison listens to Dokken.