Reedville in Northumberland County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Claud W. Somers
Additional Facts
The name: The boat's namesake spelled his name Claude. However, it is thought that when the boat was initially registered the "e" was inadvertently dropped and she has been Claud W. Somers ever since.
Speed capability: the fastest we have ever seen her sail was about 8 knots over the ground as measured by GPS. She was tripled reefed at the time in about 20-25 knots of wind on the quarter.
Tonnage: Somers was originally registered at 8 Gross Tons, 6 Net Tons, but note that the 'ton' in U.S.C.G. context doesn't refer to weight but to cargo - carrying capacity (A 'ton' is 100 cubic feet of cargo space). We estimate that the Claud W. Somers actually weighs about 30,000 pounds (15 tons).
Electronics: The Somers' two 12V 4D batteries power six bilge pumps, VHS radio, GPS, running lights, cabin lights and accessories.
Sail area: Main sail 945 square feet, jib 370 square feet.
Bowsprit: 14 ft. Boom: 42 ft. Mast: 61 ft.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 37° 50.623′ N, 76° 16.556′ W. Marker was in Reedville, Virginia, in Northumberland
this page online
Regionally, this marker was on Virginia’s Northern Neck. It was also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in the Tidewater, and in the Chesapeake Bay Region. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Claud W. Somers (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Elva C (a few steps from this marker); Chesapeake Bay Log Canoe (a few steps from this marker); Fannie (a few steps from this marker); Morris-Fisher Stack (within shouting distance of this marker); "The Save The Stack Committee" (within shouting distance of this marker); Drive Boat (within shouting distance of this marker); Trap Skiff (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Reedville.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Elva C (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Additional keywords. Claud W. Somers
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0)
3. National Register and Virginia Historic Landmark plaques for the Claud W. Somers Skipjack
Credits. This page was last revised on May 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 5, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 273 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 5, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
