CUS Appalachia (DD-1926 (1939-mod))

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The Appalachia and Catskills were the CUS Navys high speed trials destroyers. One had a direct drive system, the other a geared system. Both had over double the horsepower propulsion units than those fitted to the earlier Belmont type. The main armament was kept light at four of the single shielded 4" guns as fitted to the Belmonts. For the first time these guns were fitted in light 'tubs' to give the crew and guns protection from sea and spray.

The two large funnels gave notice of the power of the engines. Developing just over 70,000 shaft horse power on one hour full speed trials, both ships made just over 44 knots at standard tonnage. At full load the same trial gave 39 knots. For public consumption the ships were rated at 60,000shp and 38 knots. During the 1930's the ships added a tub of 1.1" AA guns four of the new 20mm Oerlikon cannons and the 4" guns were refitted to an AA mounting.

In 1938 both ships were taken in hand for reconstruction to bring them into line with other destroyers of the Governor class. This entailed the removal of the 4" guns and tubs and their replacement with two of the twin 4.5" turrets. The 1.1" were replaced with a quad 40mm while another was fitted in place of the after 4". A further pair of 20mm cannons were fitted under the front of the bridge. Throughout their lives the Appalachia had three sets of triple 21" torpedo tubes. One set between the funnels and the other two sets side by side behind the aft funnel. The Catskills had the same layout of torpedos but it was fitted with the first quadruple sets giving a total of twelve tubes, the aft quad 40mm was replaced with two twin 40mm.

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