SOMERS DD 381

Ship Name and Designation History

This section lists the names and designations that the ship had during its lifetime. The list is in chronological order.

Somers Class Destroyer Keel Laid 27 June 1935 - Launched 13 March 1937 USS SOMERS DD-381 Commissioned 1 December 1937 - Decommissioned 13 October 1945 Struck from Naval Register 28 January 1947 Sold May 1947 and broken up for scrap

Master Commandant Richard Somers, USN

Naval Covers

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1. USS Somers DD-381 Covers Page 1    (1937-1944)

 

Postmarks

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A postmark should not be included unless accompanied by a close-up image and/or an image of a cover showing that postmark. Date ranges MUST be based ONLY ON COVERS IN THE MUSEUM and are expected to change as more covers are added.
 
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Postmark Type --- Killer Bar Text	Postmark Date	Thumbnail Link To Postmark Image	Thumbnail Link To Cover Image

 

Locy Type FDC 3r (AC-BBT) "FIRST DAY IN / COMMISSION"

1937-12-01

First Day in Commission

 

Locy Type 2z

1944-12-21

Note:

 

Locy Type 2z*

1944-06-02

Note:

 

Locy Type 3r (AC-BBT) "NAVY YARD / NEW YORK"

1938-12-25

Christmas, cachet by Richard Buchwald

 

Locy Type 3z (BBT)

1943-12-13

Censored, WWII use

 

Locy Type 9v

1944-12-21

Mark from back of cover

 

Locy Type FAKE USCS Postmark Catalog Illus. CD-3

1941-03-13

Hobby Shop fake cancel

 

Other Information

USS SOMERS earned the European–African–Middle Eastern Campaign Medal w/ 2 battle stars and the World War II Victory Medal during her Naval career.

NAMESAKE - Master Commandant Richard Somers, USN (1778 - 4 September 1804)
Somers was appointed Midshipman on April 25 1797 and served in the West Indies during the Quasi War with France in Frigate UNITED STATES commanded by Captain John Barry. Promoted to Lieutenant on May 21 1799, Somers was detached from UNITED STATES on June 13 1801 and ordered to the Frigate BOSTON on July 30 1801. He served in the latter frigate in the Mediterranean. After BOSTON's return to Washington, Somers was furloughed on November 11 1802 to await orders. On May 5 1803, Somers was ordered to Baltimore to man; fit out; and command NAUTILUS; and when that schooner was ready for sea, to sail her to the Mediterranean. NAUTILUS got underway on June 30; reached Gibraltar on July 27; and sailed four days later to Spain. He then returned to Gibraltar to meet Commodore Edward Preble, in CONSTITUTION, who was bringing a new squadron for action against the Barbary pirates. NAUTILUS sailed with Preble on October 6 to Tangier where the display of American naval strength induced the Europeans of Morocco to renew the treaty of 1786. Thereafter, Tripoli became the focus of Preble's attention. Somers' service as Commanding Officer of NAUTILUS during operations against Tripoli won him promotion to Master Commandant on May 18 1804. In the summer, he commanded a division of gunboats during five attacks on Tripoli. On 4 September 1804, Somers assumed command of Bomb Ketch INTREPID which had been fitted out as a "floating volcano" to be sailed into Tripoli harbor and blown up in the midst of the corsair fleet close under the walls of the city. That night, she got underway into the harbor, but she exploded prematurely, killing Somers and his entire crew of volunteers.

The ships co-sponsors were Miss Marie Somers and Miss Suzanne Somers.

Six ships of the US Navy have borne the name SOMERS - USS Somers (1812, Schooner), USS Somers (1842, Brig), USS Somers TB-22, USS Somers DD-301, USS Somers DD-381 and USS Somers DDG-34.

 

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