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USS SOMERS (Torpedo Boat # 22, TB-22)
later renamed Coast Torpedo Boat # 9

CLASS - Somers As Built.
Displacement 143 Tons.
Dimensions 156' (oa) x 17' 6" x 5' 10".
Armament 4 x 1 pdr., 2 x 18" tt.
Speed 23 Knots, Crew 21.

Operational and Building Data
Builder Friedrich Sehiehau, Elbing, Germany.
Launched 1897.
Purchased 25 March 1898.
Commissioned 28 March 1898.
Named 29 March 1898.
Arrived in the United States 2 May 1899.
Loaned to the Maryland Naval Militia 26 June 1909.
Recommissioned on 17 August 1914.
Decommissioned 13 October 1914 and transferred to the State of Illinois.
Designated Coast Torpedo Boat # 9, 1 August 1918.
Recommissioned following World War I.
Finally decommissioned 22 March 1919.
Stricken 7 October 1919.
Fate sold for scrapping on 19 July 1920 to the U.S. Rail and Salvage Corp., Newburgh, N.Y.

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Somers 110kRichard Somers was born in 1778 or 1779 at Great Egg Harbor, N.J. and was appointed midshipman on 25 April 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 21 May 1799, Somers was detached from United States on 13 June 1801 and ordered to Boston on 30 July 1801. He served in the latter frigate in the Mediterranean. After Boston return to Washington, Somers was furloughed on 11 November 1802 to await orders. On 5 May 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 30 June; reached Gibraltar on 27 July; 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 6 October 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 18 May 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.Bill Gonyo
Somers 57kUndated, location unknown. Photo from "U.S. Warships of World War One" by P.H. Silverstone.Robert Hurst
Somers 35kUndated, location unknown. Probably during her service with the Maryland Naval Militia. Photo from Jane's Fighting Ships 1914.Robert Hurst
Somers 192kUndated, USS Somers (TB-22) in dry dock. Source: United States National Archives, Photo No. 19-N-15-11-9.Mike Green
Somers 164kUSS Somers (TB-22) underway, 21 February 1900. Source: United States National Archives, Photo No. 19-N-15-11-3.Mike Green
Somers 67kNHC photo 63737. February 21 1900, location unknown.Terry Miller, Executive Director, Tin Can Sailors Inc.

USS Somers TB-22 History
View This Vessels DANFS History Entry
(Located On The Hazegray Web Site, This Is The Main Archive For The DANFS Online Project.)

Commanding Officers
Thanks to Wolfgang Hechler & Ron Reeves

LT John Joseph Knapp    Mar 28 1898 - ?

Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
Tin Can Sailors Website
Destroyer History Foundation
Destroyers Online Website
Official U.S.Navy Destroyer Website


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