USS Fanning ( DD - 37 ) The first USS " Fanning " ( DD - 37 ) was a modified in the United States Navy during World War I and later in the United States Coast Guard , designated as CG - 11 . She was named for Nathaniel Fanning . " Fanning " was launched on 11 January 1912 by Newport News Shipbuilding Company , Newport News , Virginia ; sponsored by Mrs . Kenneth McAlpine ; and commissioned on 21 June 1912 , Lieutenant W . N . Jeffers in command . She was classified DD - 37 on 17 July 1920 . Pre - World War I . In the years that preceded World War I , " Fanning " took part in the training schedule of the Atlantic Fleet , sailing to the Caribbean for winter maneuvers , and exercising off the coast of New England in the summers . Based at Norfolk , Virginia during the major portion of each year , she joined in gunnery practice in this area . As war raged in Europe , " Fanning " intensified her preparations for any eventuality . When two German auxiliary cruiser s visited Norfolk in September 1916 , " Fanning " acted as part of their escort while they sailed in United States territorial waters . On 8 October , " Fanning " put out of Newport , Rhode Island , to search for the crews of ships sunk not far from Nantucket Light Ship by the German submarine . The destroyer recovered six survivors and landed them at Newport , Rhode Island the next day . The presence of " U - 58 " led to the speculation that a secret German submarine base might exist in the Long Island Sound — Block Island Sound area ; " Fanning " searched from 12 October to 14 October for evidence of such a base but found nothing , and returned to her regular operating schedule . During the latter half of October 1916 , " Fanning " and the fuel ship conducted experiments to develop methods of oiling at sea , a technique which has since given the United States Navy unbounded mobility and sea - keeping qualities . Torpedo and gunnery practices , and fleet maneuvers during the next eight months sharpened " Fanning " s war - readiness , so that she was able to sail for distant service when called on in June 1917 . World War I . Based on Queenstown , Ireland , " Fanning " and her sister destroyers patrolled the eastern Atlantic , escorting convoys and rescuing survivors of sunken merchantmen . At 1615 on 17 November 1917 , Coxswain Daniel David Loomis sighted the periscope of " U - 58 " , and the Officer of the Deck Lieutenant Walter Owen Henry ordered the destroyer to attack . " Fanning " s first depth charge pattern scored , and as destroyer joined the action , the submarine broke surface , her crew pouring out on deck , hands raised in surrender . The depth charge had hit near the submarines diving plane s , forcing the submarine to surface , and also knocked out the main generator aboard " Fanning " . " Fanning " maneuvered to pick up the prisoners as the damaged submarine sank , the first of two U - boats to fall victim to US Navy destroyers in World War I . Coxswain Daniel David Loomis and Lieutenant Walter Owen Henry both received the Navy Cross for this action . " Fanning " continued escort and patrol duty for the duration of the war . Though she made numerous submarine contacts , all of her attacks were inconclusive . On many occasions , she went to the aid of torpedoed ships , rescuing survivors and carrying them into port . On 8 October 1918 , she picked up a total of 103 survivors , 25 from a merchantman and 78 from the . " Fanning " passed in review before President Woodrow Wilson on board the transport in Brest Harbor on 13 December , then remained at Brest until March of the following year . After a quick voyage to Plymouth , England , " Fanning " departed Brest for the States , by way of Lisbon , Portugal , and Ponta Delgada , Azores , in company with several other destroyers , and escorting a large group of submarine chasers . " Fanning " was placed out of commission at Philadelphia on 24 November 1919 . Inter - war period . On 7 June 1924 , " Fanning " was transferred to the Coast Guard with whom she served until 24 November 1930 . She was sold for scrap on 2 May 1934 . Notable crew . Robert Carney served aboard " Fanning " as gunnery and torpedo officer , and contributed to the sinking of German submarine " U - 58 " . On 29 July 1943 , he was promoted to Rear Admiral and became Chief of Staff to Admiral William Halsey , Jr . , commander , South Pacific Force , which included all ground , sea , and air forces in the South Pacific area . Carney later wrote that " Admiral Halsey unfailingly gave credit to his subordinates for successes achieved , and took all blame for failures on his own shoulders . " During World War I , " Fanning " was commanded by Lieutenant Arthur S . Carpender , later Vice Admiral in charge of the entire Atlantic Destroyer fleet during World War II .