Hull Number: DD-238
Launch Date: 04/20/2020
Commissioned Date: 11/29/2020
Decommissioned Date: 02/10/1931
Class: CLEMSON
CLEMSON Class
Namesake: JAMES KIRKE PAULDING
JAMES KIRKE PAULDING
Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (Published 1980)
James Kirke Paulding, son of a Revolutionary War patriot, was born 27 August 1718 in Nine Partners, Dutchess County, N.Y. As a young man he became widely known as a man of letters and was in intimate friend of Washington Irving. He served as Secretary of the first Board of Navy Commissioners consisting of Commodores Hull, Porter, and Rodgers. After filling the office of Navy Agent at the port of New York for 12 years, Paulding entered President Martin Van Buren’s cabinet as Secretary of the Navy 1 July 1838. While in office he opposed the introduction of steam propelled warships declaring that he would “never consent to let our old ships perish, and transform our Navy into a fleet of (steam) sea monsters.” Upon his retirement from office he purchased an estate at Hyde Park, where he remained until his death 5 April 1860.
Disposition:
Stricken 1/25/1937. Sold 3/16/1939