Reedville Fishermen's Museum
Skipjack Claud W. Somers under sail.
This is the 25th year of the museum’s ownership of a boat that is antique, classic and virtually irreplaceable: the wooden skipjack Claud W. Somers. Built in 1911 and donated to the museum in 2000.
And what a perfect way to celebrate the quarter century: The museum has been awarded two grants totaling $100,000 for a total refit of the skipjack, according to Shauna McCranie, the museum’s executive director.
Originally built for oyster dredging, Chesapeake Bay skipjacks operate only on wind power, carrying a motorized “push-boat” for maneuvering and emergencies.
“There are maybe 20 skipjacks left in the Bay,” said Gerhard Straub, captain of the Somers 2014-2022. Some are in private hands, some in museums and a very few are still used for oystering, he said. “It’s the last working, sailing fishing fleet in the country.”
The Somers is berthed at the museum’s docks on Cockrell Creek. From there it has taken hundreds of visitors on fun and educational cruises in the Bay.
“My first trip ever on a sailboat was on the Somers two years ago when I started as director,” said McCranie. “We are extremely fortunate to have a wonderful and devoted volunteer crew including the current captains, Steve Heare and Tom Briggs. I’m grateful that we can give others a first time experience on a sailing vessel.”
“To see one of the last working fleet of sail in North America on the water is a breathtaking experience,” said Briggs.
The vessel is also a living tribute to two families involved in its history. In March 1977, oysterman Thompson Wallace – one of only a few Black skipjack captains at the time – and four relatives and a friend were lost when the Somers went down in a terrible squall.
Once refloated, the Somers was worked by a number of owners through the years. It was bought in 1983 by Alfred Garey Lambert of Maryland, who labored for the next 17 years to restore it. After his death, his family chose the Reedville museum as the skipjack’s owner and champion.
The museum has relied on donations, its volunteer boat builders, captains and crew, and local boatyards and other maritime businesses to keep the Somers in the water.
Reedville Fishermen's Museum
In 2014 Gerhard Straub, right, captained his first Claud W. Somers cruise. He retired as a captain in 2022, but still is deeply involved with the boat. At left is Steve Heare, still serving as one of the skipjack’s captains.
"The skipjack has passed regular rigorous Coast Guard inspections to be used as a commercial vessel, but must have a significant refit to remain in service," said Straub.
The Somers is on the National Register of Historic Places and is a Virginia Historic Landmark. Fittingly, the Virginia Department of Historic Resources approved a $75,000 grant for the project through its Maritime Heritage Subgrant Program. "Straub was instrumental in writing the successful proposal," said McCranie.
The museum also was awarded a $25,000 matching grant from the Colonial Market Colonial Farm, based in McLean. "The museum’s volunteers will provide about $38,500 in-kind labor," she said.
The refit will focus on major components such as a hull survey, rigging survey, rudder replacement, centerboard replacement, standing rigging renewal, bilge pump replacement, replacement of blocks, new sails and covers and updated safety equipment. The project also will allow the museum to develop a long-term plan so it can schedule and fund future repairs.
"Throughout the refit, care will be taken to use modern items that are as historically accurate as possible," said Straub. "For instance, new lines will be made of polyester but fabricated so they look 'period correct'," he said.
Straub, who will be project consultant, holds a U.S. Coast Guard Master’s License, has managed three major repair projects on the Somers and has extensive experience with traditional sailboats.
The Somers will be taken out of the water around Nov. 1 for work at an area boatyard, said McCranie. She hopes the boat will in the water again by the end of March, in time for a new cruising season.
For more information, call 804-453-6529, email office@rfmuseum.org or visit rfmuseum.org.
