Claude W. Somers, Skipjack vessel in Maryland, United States.
Claude W. Somers is a wooden sailing vessel designed specifically for oyster dredging in Chesapeake Bay waters, measuring about 42 feet long with a 14-foot beam. The boat displays the characteristic construction of this vessel type, built with traditional materials in a style suited to working the bay's waters.
The vessel was built in 1911 by W. Thomas Young in Virginia and served as a working boat for multiple generations of oyster fishermen. Its listing on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985 recognized its importance as an example of a nearly vanished craft tradition.
The vessel represents how Chesapeake Bay oyster fishermen worked and lived, maintaining traditional sailing practices for generations. This working heritage shapes how visitors understand the region's maritime past.
You can view the vessel at the Reedville Fishermen's Museum, where it is displayed as a working exhibit. The setting allows you to see the boat's construction up close and learn about the tools and methods used in bay fishing.
The boat was involved in a tragic accident near Hooper Strait Light in 1977 that claimed the lives of six crew members, including the captain. This incident reflects the serious dangers that working fishermen faced on the bay.
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