CLAUD W. SOMERS (skipjack)
Also known as: 066-5049
Why it's listed
Built in 1911 by Thomas Young at Clam, Virginia, the Claud W. Somers is a wooden skipjack, a wide, single-masted sailboat designed for dredging oysters in the shallow waters of the Chesapeake Bay. She measures 42 feet 6 inches on deck, carries over eleven hundred square feet of sail, and has no engine, relying on a small push boat when not under sail. Young was known for fine craftsmanship and built her for Edward Thomas Somers, who named her for his son. She won the annual Bay skipjack race in 1931 and again in 1966, and sank in a 1976 gale that killed her captain and crew. After Alfred Lambert's long restoration effort, the Reedville Fishermen's Museum received her and completed a careful restoration that reused original ribs, mast and steering gear. Listed for her role in the oyster industry and her design and construction, she is one of only five working skipjacks remaining in Virginia.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is one of only five remaining working skipjacks in Virginia, from a Chesapeake Bay fleet once numbering 600-700 boats. It is significant under Criterion A for the oyster industry (Commerce) and Criterion C for design and craftsmanship (Engineering). It is described as an outstanding, carefully restored example of the skipjack class built by a builder known for fine work.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 05000526, listed October 7, 2005. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 504 Main St., Reedville |
|---|---|
| County | Northumberland County |
| Listed | October 7, 2005 |
| Reference number | 05000526 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1911 - 1955 |
| Architect / builder | Thomas Young |
| Architectural style | Other - 20th Century Sail Powered Skipjack |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Engineering |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Restored by museum staff and volunteers after about 2000, using original parts where salvageable; now docked at the Reedville Fishermen's Museum and used for museum purposes. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | Reedville Historic District |
| Coordinates | 37.84378, -76.27621 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 05000526.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.