SOMERS, Richard, naval officer, born on Somers point, Great Egg harbor, New Jersey, in 1778; died near Tripoli, Africa, 4 September, 1804. His grandfather emigrated from England about 1730 and settled at Somers point, and his father was colonel of militia, judge of the county court, and an active Whig in the Revolution. The son entered the navy as midshipman, 80 April, 1798, after some experience at sea in small coasting vessels. He sailed from Philadelphia in the frigate "United States" in July, 1798, to Cape Cod and along the coast to the West Indies in search of French cruisers during that brief war with France. He was commissioned lieutenant, 21 Nay, 1799, sailed in on 3 November, 1799, and in 1801 again went to France as 1st lieutenant of the sloop "Boston," with Chancellor Livingston on board as passenger. He was appointed to command the schooner " Nautilus," fitted out to form a part of Preble's squadron in the war with Tripoli, and he was the first to arrive at Gibraltar. He participated in the blockade and operations at Tripoli in 1803-'4. In the first attack he commanded a division of gun-boats, and at one time fought five Tripolitan vessels at close quarters. On 7 August, 1804, he led the 1st division of three gun-boats in the second attack, and successfully fought superior forces for three hours, He was promoted commander, 16 February, 1804, and was conspicuous for his ability in the attacks on 28 August and 3 September, 1804. As the season for operations drew to a close he proposed to destroy the Tripolitan fleet by fitting the "Intrepid" as a bomb-vessel to explode in their midst and cause a panic. About 15,000 pounds of powder and 200 loaded shells were stowed in the " Intrepid" and arranged with a slow-match to explode after the crew should have escaped. Lieutenant Henry Wadsworth, Midshipman Israel, and ten men voluntarily accompanied Somers in the night of 4 September, 1804, toward the inner harbor, convoyed by the brig "Siren." The enemy sighted the "Intrepid" and opened fire upon her as she approached, and when 500 yards from her destination she suddenly blew up, and all on board perished. No damage was done to the enemy. The cause of the premature explosion was never ascertained, and none of the bodies of the unfortunate crew were found. The report was heard for miles, but it had no effect except subsequently to convince the foe that Americans were ready to undertake the most perilous measures to accomplish their object. Other events had prepared them to dread the American navy, and, since this was the last hostile operation, it doubtless was potent in the negotiations by which the Tripolitans acceded to the terms demanded by the Americans. Congress passed a resolution of condolence with the friends of those who perished, and several ships of the navy have been named after Somers.