BATH IRON WORKS; BATH, MAINE, CIRCA 1909

The U.S.S. Paulding was the lead ship of the class and the first destroyer built by Bath Iron Works to use fuel oil, and the second oil-fired ship in the U.S. Navy. Obtained a top speed of 32.8kts on her trials, and had a compliment of 6 officers and 97 enlisted men. In 1912 she went aground but came off with no damages. During World War I she worked convoy escort duty and patrol. In August 1919 she was de-commissioned and placed on the reserve list. In 1924 she was transferred to the U.S. Coast Guard, designated CG-17, and was used to interdict bootleggers. On 17 December 1924 she hit and sank the submarine S-4, which was lost with 40 crew. She was stricken from the U.S. Navy list in June 1934 and scrapped the same year.