Somers

14.5

Somers

Destroyer | U.S.A. | Tier X

Tech Tree Position

General

Purchase priceSpecial

Hit Points17,300

Main Battery

127 mm/38 Mk.12 on a Mk.22 mount4 х 2 pcs.

Rate of Fire10 shots/min.

Reload Time6 sec.

Rotation Speed14.7 deg./sec.

180 Degree Turn Time12.24 sec.

Firing Range11.72 km.

Maximum Dispersion102 m.

HE Shell127 mm HE Mk32

Maximum HE Shell Damage1,800

Chance of Fire on Target Caused by HE Shell5 %

Initial HE Shell Velocity792 m./s.

HE Shell Weight24.5 kg.

AP Shell127 mm AP/SC Mk38

Maximum AP Shell Damage2,100

Initial AP Shell Velocity792 m./s.

AP Shell Weight25 kg.

Torpedo Tubes

533 mm Quad3 х 4 pcs.

Rate of Fire0.46 shots/min.

Reload Time130 sec.

Rotation Speed25 deg./sec.

180 Degree Turn Time7.2 sec.

TorpedoMk17

Maximum Damage17,900

Torpedo Speed66 knot

Torpedo Range16.5 km.

AA Defense

12.7 mm Browning on a single mount2 х 1 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second7.6

. . . Firing Range1.2 km.

28 mm Mk.1 on a Mk.2 mount2 х 4 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second4.6

. . . Firing Range2.4 km.

Maneuverability

Maximum Speed38.6 knot

Turning Circle Radius620 m.

Rudder Shift Time3.9 sec.

Concealment

Surface Detectability Range7.16 km.

Air Detectability Range3.12 km.

Battle Levels

12345678910

14.5

Somers

Destroyer | U.S.A. | Tier X

Tech Tree Position

General

Purchase priceSpecial

Hit Points17,300

Main Battery

127 mm/38 Mk.12 on a Mk.22 mount4 х 2 pcs.

Rate of Fire10 shots/min.

Reload Time6 sec.

Rotation Speed14.7 deg./sec.

180 Degree Turn Time12.24 sec.

Firing Range11.72 km.

Maximum Dispersion102 m.

HE Shell127 mm HE Mk32

Maximum HE Shell Damage1,800

Chance of Fire on Target Caused by HE Shell5 %

Initial HE Shell Velocity792 m./s.

HE Shell Weight24.5 kg.

AP Shell127 mm AP/SC Mk38

Maximum AP Shell Damage2,100

Initial AP Shell Velocity792 m./s.

AP Shell Weight25 kg.

Torpedo Tubes

533 mm Quad3 х 4 pcs.

Rate of Fire0.46 shots/min.

Reload Time130 sec.

Rotation Speed25 deg./sec.

180 Degree Turn Time7.2 sec.

TorpedoMk17

Maximum Damage17,900

Torpedo Speed66 knot

Torpedo Range16.5 km.

AA Defense

12.7 mm Browning on a single mount2 х 1 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second7.6

. . . Firing Range1.2 km.

28 mm Mk.1 on a Mk.2 mount2 х 4 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second4.6

. . . Firing Range2.4 km.

Maneuverability

Maximum Speed38.6 knot

Turning Circle Radius620 m.

Rudder Shift Time3.9 sec.

Concealment

Surface Detectability Range7.16 km.

Air Detectability Range3.12 km.

Battle Levels

12345678910

X

Special

Somers — American special premium Tier X destroyer.

A destroyer flotilla leader equipped with eight guns that had the largest number of torpedoes per salvo among all the ships of the U.S. Navy.

Modules

	Rate of Fire (shots/min)	180° Turn Time (sec)	Maximum Dispersion (m)	Maximum HE Shell Damage (HP)	Chance of Fire on Target Caused by HE Shell (%)	Maximum AP Shell Damage (HP)		Research price (exp)	Purchase price ()
127 mm/38 Mk.12 on a Mk.22 mount	10	12.2	102	1,800	5	2,100		0	0

	Hit Points (HP)	Armor (mm)	Armor (mm)	Main Turrets (pcs.)	Secondary Gun Turrets (pcs.)	AA Mounts (pcs.)	Torpedo Tubes (pcs.)	Hangar Capacity (pcs.)		Research price (exp)	Purchase price ()
Somers	17,300	3	20	4		2/2	3			0	0

	Rate of Fire (shots/min)	Torpedo Tubes Reload Time (sec)	180° Turn Time (sec)	Maximum Damage (HP)	Torpedo Speed (knot)	Torpedo Range (km)		Research price (exp)	Purchase price ()
Mark 17	0.5	130	7.2	17,900	66	16.5		0	0

	IDS_SHIP_PARAM_SUO_INCREASE_DIST (%)	Maximum Firing Range (km)		Research price (exp)	Purchase price ()
Mk10 mod. 1		0		0	0

	Maximum Speed (knot)		Research price (exp)	Purchase price ()
Propulsion: 52,000 hp	38.6		0	0

Compatible Upgrades

Slot 1
Slot 2
Slot 3
Slot 4
Slot 5
Slot 6

Player Opinion

Performance

Somers is a Tier X U.S. Navy destroyer equipped with three torpedo launchers, similar to the Japanese destroyer, Shimakaze. Somers is also equipped with decent guns, which, combined with her concealment and long-lasting American Smoke Generator , make her a very formidable opponent. She has a decent hit point (HP) pool, but her lack of armor makes her extremely susceptible to enemy fire in a gunfight, especially high-explosive (HE) from destroyers. This means that Somers is best played somewhat conservatively, with focus given to her ability to launch up to twelve long-range torpedoes from concealment.

Although Somers may not win in an even gunfight against armored destroyers such as Harugumo or Khabarovsk, her main guns are still capable of dealing significant damage due to their fast reload time. At short range, her guns will shred most other destroyers, and her armor-piercing (AP) rounds are capable of inflicting serious harm to the aforementioned armored destroyers. However, at medium to long-range, her shells tend to have high arcs and long flight times, a phenomenon that U.S. destroyer captains will likely be used to. Her versatility provides players with the option to fulfill many different roles, such as contesting objectives, hunting capital ships from concealment, and stalking the enemy to spot for allied ships. Take note, however, that she will be an easy target for aircraft due to her poor anti-aircraft armament. In matches with an aircraft carrier, it may be wise to avoid wandering too far from allied ships capable of providing some protection from aircraft attack.

Pros:

• Great torpedo armament with long firing range, as well as decent speed and damage values.
• Good concealment with enormous window to fire torpedoes from stealth.
• Long-lasting American Smoke Generator 
• Great speed and agility.

Cons:

• Poor anti-aircraft armament.
• Highly susceptible to low-caliber HE shells.
• Low shell velocity and mediocre stock gun range.

Research

As a premium ship, Somers doesn't have any upgrades to research.

Optimal Configuration

Upgrades

The recommended upgrades for Somers are as follows:

• Slot 1: Main Armaments Modification 1
• Slot 2: Propulsion Modification 1
• Slot 3: Aiming Systems Modification 1
• Slot 4: Propulsion Modification 1 ()
• Slot 5: Concealment System Modification 1 
• Slot 6: Torpedo Tubes Modification 2 ()

Commander Skills

The following information is provided for players who wish to create a permanent captain for the ship. Those players who are retraining captains or using the ship to gain extra experience for a captain should consult the page relevant to the ship to which the captain will be assigned.

Recommended Commander Skills
Cost (points)	Endurance		Attack		Support		Versatility
1	Priority Target Situational Awareness indicator will show the number of opponents currently aiming at you with main battery guns. ★★★	Preventative Maintenance -30% to the risk of incapacitation of main turrets, torpedo tubes, steering gear, engines. ★★★	Expert Loader -50% to reload time when shell type is switched.	Air Supremacy -5% aircraft restoration time. Χ	Direction Center for Fighters +1 fighter to carrier fighter squadrons or catapult fighters. Χ	Improved Engine Boost +10% Aircraft engine boost time. Χ	Incoming Fire Alert Indicator of long-range enemy artillery fire.	Last Gasp Completely restores the engine boost for the last attack flight of the carrier's planes. Χ
2	High Alert -10% to reload time of Damage Control Party consumable.	Jack of All Trades -5% to reload time of all consumables. ★	Expert Marksman +2.5 deg/sec to traverse speed of guns with a caliber up to 139mm. +0.7 deg/sec to traverse speed of guns with a caliber above 139mm.	Torpedo Acceleration +5 knots to torpedo speed. -20% to torpedo range. ★	Smoke Screen Expert +20% to the radius of the smoke screen. ★	Improved Engines +2.5% Squadron speed. Χ	Adrenaline Rush -0.2% to reload times of all types of armament for each 1% of total health lost. +0.2% squadron speed for each 1% of total health lost. ★★★	Last Stand The ship remains able to move and maneuver while the engine or steering gears are incapacitated. ★★★
3	Basics of Survivability -15% to time of repair, fire extinguishing, and recovery from flooding.	Survivability Expert +350 ship HP for each ship tier. +15 aircraft HP for each ship tier. ★★★	Torpedo Armament Expertise -10% to reload time of torpedo tubes. ★★★	Aircraft Armor Reduces continuous damage to aircraft in all AA defense zones. -10% continuous damage. Χ	Basic Firing Training -10% to reload time of main battery guns with a caliber up to and including 139mm and all secondary battery guns. +10% to continuous damage from AA guns.	Superintendent +1 additional charge to all consumables mounted on a ship. ★★	Demolition Expert +2% chance of HE shells causing a fire on target. +1% chance of rockets causing a fire on target. +5% chance of HE bombs causing a fire on target. ★	Vigilance +25% to detection range of enemy torpedoes.
4	Manual Fire Control for Secondary Armament Tightens dispersion of secondary batteries. -15% for Tier I-VI ships. -60% for Tier VII-X ships. Manually selected target only.	Fire Prevention -10% to the risk of fire. The maximum number of fires on a ship is reduced to three.	Inertia Fuse for HE Shells +25% to the armor penetration of HE shells. -50% to base chance of fire caused by HE shells. ★	Sight Stabilization Speeds up the aiming of a carrier's aircraft. +7.5% attack aircraft and torpedo bomber aiming speed. +15% dive bomber aiming speed. Χ	Advanced Firing Training +20% to firing range of main battery guns with a caliber up to 139mm and all secondary battery guns. +15% AA flak burst damage. ★★	Massive AA Fire +100% instantaneous damage. No boost to continuous damage in a reinforced sector. Shorter effective cooldown.	Radio Position Finding Shows the direction to the nearest enemy ship. The enemy is alerted that a bearing has been taken. ★	Concealment Expert -10% to the detection radius of all ships and aircraft. ★★★
Key: ★★★ - Extremely Useful      ★★ - Frequently Useful      ★ - Occasionally Useful     No stars - Meh      Χ - Not recommended

Consumables

Somers can equip the following consumables:

• Slot 1: Damage Control Party 
• Slot 2: Smoke Generator 
• Slot 3: Engine Boost 

Camouflage

As a premium ship, Somers comes included with Type 20 camouflage that lowers her detection radius, reduces the accuracy of incoming shells, reduces her repair costs, and increases the amount of experience she earns.

Signals

Recommended Signal Flags
Combat
Charlie Kilo +5% ship HP; +2.5% squadron HP.	Juliet Yankee Bissotwo -20% to flooding duration. ★	India Yankee -20% to fire duration. ★★	Hotel Yankee -20% to damage received when ramming the enemy. +50% to damage dealt when ramming the enemy. ★	Victor Lima +1% chance for HE bombs and shells with a caliber above 160mm causing a fire. +0.5% chance for bombs and smaller shells causing a fire. +4% chance of torpedoes causing flooding. ★★★	India X-Ray +1% chance for HE bombs and shells with a caliber above 160mm causing a fire. +0.5% chance for bombs and smaller shells causing a fire. ★★
Juliet Whiskey Unaone +15% chance of causing flooding. ★★	Mike Yankee Soxisix +5% to secondary battery maximum firing range. -5% to maximum dispersion of secondary battery shells. -5% to secondary battery loading time.	November Echo Setteseven +5% continuous AA damage at all ranges. +5% damage from flak bursts.	Sierra Mike +5% to the ship's maximum speed. ★★★	November Foxtrot -5% reload time on all consumables. ★★	India Delta +20% to the amount of HP recovered when Repair Party  is used.
X-Ray Papa Unaone +10% action time of a Smoke Generator .	Sierra Bravo +10% action time of Hydroacoustic Search  -10% reload time of Defensive AA Fire .

Gallery

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Historical Info

Somers, 1937

Construction

Builder: Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Company, Kearny, USA

Laid down: 27 June 1935

Launched: 13 March 1937

Commissioned: 1 December 1937

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Specifications

Displacement: 1850 tons (2905 tons full) Length: 381 feet Beam: 36 feet 11 inches Draft: 14 feet

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Machinery

4 Babcock & Wilcox boilers producing 52,000 HP

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Performance

36 knots at 52,000 shaft horsepower
Trials: 38.6 knots
7,020 nm at 12 knots

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Armament

Main

4 × 2 127 mm/38 caliber Mark 22 mod. 10

Anti-aircraft

2 x 4 28 mm/75 Mk2 mod. 2

2 x 1 12.7 mm Browning M2 mod. 2

Torpedoes

3 x 4 533mm Mark 15 torpedo

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File:PICTURE.JPG

CAPTION.

History

Somers was laid down on 27 June 1935 at Federal, Kearny, New Jersey launched on 13 March 1937; co-sponsored by Miss Marie Somers and Miss Suzanne Somers; and commissioned at the New York Navy Yard on 1 December 1937, CDR James E. Maher in command.

She was named for Richard Somers, an officer of the USN who was born in 1778. Somers was detached from United States on June 13, 1801 and ordered to Boston on 30 July 1801. He served in the latter frigate in the Mediterranean. After Boston returned to Washington, DC, Somers was furloughed on November 11, 1802 to await orders.

On May 5, 1803, Somers was ordered to Baltimore, Maryland, to man, fit out, and command USS Nautilus, and when that schooner was ready for sea, to sail her to the Mediterranean. Nautilus got underway on 30 June, 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, during the First Barbary War.

On September 4, 1804, Somers assumed command of fire ship 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.

Somers is buried in Tripoli, Libya.

6 ships of the US Navy have been named USS Somers, and DD-381 is the fifth.

Design

The Somers-class destroyer was a class of five 1850-ton United States Navy destroyers based on the Porter class. They were answers to the large destroyers that the Japanese navy was building at the time, and were initially intended to be flotilla leaders. They were laid down 1935-1936 and commissioned 1937-1939. They were built to round out the thirteen destroyers of 1,850 tons standard displacement allowed by the tonnage limits of the London Naval Treaty, and were originally intended to be repeat Porters. However, new high-pressure, high-temperature boilers became available, allowing the use of a single stack. This combined with weight savings (including elimination of reload torpedoes) allowed an increase from two quadruple centerline torpedo tube mounts to three. However, the Somers class were still over-weight and top-heavy.[1] This was the first US destroyer class to use 600 psi (4,100 kPa) steam superheated to 850 °F (454 °C),[2] which became standard for US warships built in the late 1930s and World War II.

4 × 2 127 mm/38 caliber Mark 22 mod. 10

From Navweaps: The Mark 22 twin mount used on the Porter (DD-356) and Somers (DD-381) destroyer classes was the only SP mounting ever developed for these weapons. Their low maximum elevation of +35 degrees of elevation was adopted mainly as a weight savings, as it was calculated that these ships would only be able to carry six DP guns rather than the eight SP guns that they actually did carry. The Mark 22 mounting used a 15 hp training motor and a 5 hp elevating motor.

2 x 4 28 mm/75 Mk2 mod. 2

2 x 1 12.7 mm Browning M2 mod. 2

In the 1930s, this was thought to be a sufficient anti-aircraft armament. The 28mm "Chicago Pianos" were intended to account for the main weapons' lack of AA capacity.

3 x 4 533mm Mark 15 Torpedo

Developed and produced by the Naval Torpedo Station, Newport, R.I., Torpedo Mk 15 was designed as a replacement for the Mk 11 and Mk 12 torpedoes in surface ship application. It was 17 inches longer and 300 pounds heavier than its predecessors. The additional weight was due to increased payload. This torpedo was the last destroyer-launched, antisurface ship torpedo in wide service use. As part of the Fleet modernization program of the 1950's, it was phased out of service by the removal of the quintuple-mount torpedo tubes from destroyers.

Service

Somers' service history actually started before the declaration of war. On 6 November 1941, she and the cruiser USS Omaha captured the German freighter Odenwald which was disguised as the American merchantman Willmoto. Odenwald was taken to Puerto Rico. An admiralty court ruled that since the ship was illegally claiming American registration, there were sufficient grounds for confiscation. A legal case was started claiming that the crews of the two American ships had salvage rights because the Odenwald crew's attempt to scuttle the ship was the equivalent of abandoning her. The court case, settled in 1947 ruled the members of the boarding party and the prize crew were entitled to $3,000 apiece while all the other crewmen in Omaha and Somers were entitled to two months’ pay and allowances. This was the last prize money awarded by the US Navy. In January 1943, Somers was part of the escort for the Free French battleship Richelieu and cruiser Montcalm as they moved to the United States. On 6 June 1944, Somers sank the German corvette UJ6081 and sloop SG21 in support of Operation Overlord, also known as the D Day landings at Normandy. This was her last action before her refit, decommissioning and scrapping.

Somers earned two battle stars for her actions in the Second World War.

Historical Gallery

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  Somers in Portsmouth England, Oct 1938.

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  Somers underway at sea, 1944.

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  Somers at DC in September 1938.

References

1. USS Somers (DD-381) - Wikipedia
2. Somers-class destroyer - Wikipedia
   

Ships of U.S.A.

Destroyers