Claude W. Somers (skipjack)

The Claude W. Somers is a Chesapeake Bay skipjack, a traditional sailing vessel used for oyster dredging. Built in 1911 by Oliver Duke in Wingate, Maryland, she is one of the oldest surviving skipjacks in the remaining oyster dredging fleet.

The Claude W. Somers is significant for her historical role in the Chesapeake Bay oyster industry and for representing a vanishing type of working sailing craft. She exemplifies the construction methods and design characteristics of early skipjacks, crucial to understanding the region's maritime heritage.

The vessel's dimensions are typical for skipjacks, and she is constructed with traditional materials such as oak and pine. Her rig consists of a single mast and a large mainsail, designed for efficient sailing in the shallow waters of the Chesapeake Bay.

Throughout her working life, the Claude W. Somers dredged for oysters under sail power, adhering to regulations aimed at preserving the oyster population. As oyster harvests declined and regulations tightened, many skipjacks were retired or converted to other uses. The Claude W. Somers was eventually acquired and restored, becoming a floating museum exhibit at the Calvert Marine Museum in Solomons, Maryland. Today, she serves as an educational tool, allowing visitors to experience and learn about the history of the Chesapeake Bay skipjack fleet and the traditional oyster harvesting methods. She is a National Historic Landmark.