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

Monssen as built to the original design.

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.