Mayo (DD 422).
The 24 original Bensons and Gleaves (DDs 421–444), which were assigned to Destroyer Squadrons
7, 11 and 13, were designed to carry five 5-inch/38 guns—Nos. 1, 2 and 5 in gunhouses; Nos. 3 and 4 in open mounts without gunhouses. While preliminary plans show a torpedo battery of three quadruple mounts arranged as in the original
Sims class design, as built their fit consisted of two quintuple centerline mounts—the US Navy’s first 5-tube mounts. Light anti-aircraft defense consisted of 0.50 cal. machine guns: two forward, two abreast the after stack and two between the 53 and 54 mounts. Anti-submarine weapons consisted of depth charges dropped from depth charge racks on the fantail but no projectors (“Y-guns” on the fantail or “K-guns” in the waist).
As built, the first ships were not fitted with radar but did carry a crow’s nest (lookout position) on the mast at the yardarm. A staff for towing lights was mounted on a small platform projecting forward from the flying bridge. The searchlight was mounted on a very high platform between the 53 and 54 mounts.
The original ships proved top-heavy and woefully lacking in anti-aircraft defense. The result was a proliferation of modifications beginning with landing either the No. 2 torpedo tube mount or the No. 3 5-inch gun.
