The Lepanto class was a class of five destroyers that served in the Spanish Navy, originally built as United States Navy Fletcher-class destroyers during World War II. They were transferred to Spain under the Mutual Defense Assistance Program (MDAP) between 1957 and 1960, and remained in service until the late 1980s.
History
The five ships were originally constructed for the U.S. Navy between 1941 and 1944 and saw service during World War II. After being decommissioned and placed in reserve by the U.S. Navy, they were transferred to Spain beginning in 1957. Throughout the 1960s, they formed the backbone of the Spanish Navy's destroyer force. They were gradually replaced in escort duties by the Descubierta-class corvettes in the early 1980s, and all five ships were decommissioned between 1985 and 1988.
Characteristics
Before transfer to Spain, the ships were modernized to a considerable extent. Modifications included the removal of most 20 mm Oerlikon cannons (all but three were removed), retention of the three twin 40 mm Bofors anti-aircraft mounts, modernization of electronics, and replacement of the original mast with a tripod mast. All five ships were retrofitted with two triple Mark 44 lightweight torpedo tube mounts.
Ships in the class
| Pennant | Name | Former U.S. Name | Builder | Launched | Spanish Commission | Decommission |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D21 | Lepanto | USS Capps (DD-550) | Gulf Shipbuilding Corporation | 31 May 1942 | 15 May 1957 | 31 December 1985 |
| D22 | Almirante Ferrándiz | USS David W. Taylor (DD-551) | Gulf Shipbuilding Corporation | 4 July 1942 | 15 May 1957 | 17 November 1987 |
| D23 | Almirante Valdés | USS Converse (DD-509) | Bath Iron Works | 30 August 1942 | 1 July 1959 | 17 November 1986 |
| D24 | Alcalá Galiano | USS Jarvis (DD-799) | Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation | 14 February 1944 | 3 November 1960 | 15 December 1988 |
| D25 | Jorge Juan | USS McGowan (DD-678) | Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Company | 14 November 1943 | 1 December 1960 | 15 November 1988 |
General characteristics
- Type: Destroyer
- Displacement: 2,050 long tons (2,083 t) standard; 2,500 long tons (2,540 t) full load
- Length: 376.5 ft (114.8 m)
- Beam: 39.5 ft (12.1 m)
- Draft: 17.5 ft (5.5 m)
- Propulsion: 4 × Babcock & Wilcox boilers, 2 × General Electric geared steam turbines, 60,000 shp (45 MW), 2 shafts
- Speed: 36.5 knots (67.6 km/h)
- Range: 5,500 nautical miles at 15 knots
- Complement: 329
- Sensors: AN/SPS-6 air-search radar, AN/SPS-10 surface-search radar, Mark 37 fire-control director
- Armament: 5 × single 5-inch/38 caliber dual-purpose guns; 3 × twin 40 mm Bofors anti-aircraft guns; 3 × single 20 mm Oerlikon cannons; 2 × triple Mark 44 torpedo tubes; 2 × Mark 10 Hedgehog anti-submarine mortars; depth charge tracks
