Ah, the illustrious Somers-class destroyer! An American naval masterpiece that seems to slip through the cracks of popular war stories, overshadowed by its more glamorous cousins, the battleships and aircraft carriers. But don't let its anonymity fool you—these maritime warriors played a crucial role in safeguarding freedom during tumultuous times. Designed in the late 1930s and commissioned as part of the United States Navy, the Somers-class destroyers were crafted to dominate the seas with speed, firepower, and groundbreaking technology.
What were these vessels designed to do, you ask? How about showing enemies the error of their ways by delivering torpedo strikes and anti-aircraft fire that could shake even the most formidable opponent? She wasn't just a pretty hull; she was built for combat, much like the conservative values of strength and perseverance.
Think of a gallant seafarer, fully equipped to enforce peace through strength, just as we believe in wielding our defense capabilities today to deter aggressors rather than appease them. Yes, these destroyers were that gallant. Designed just before World War II, they were tasked with patrolling the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, protecting convoys and hunting enemy submarines, essential to ensuring that America remained a beacon of democracy and freedom.
These ships boasted an impressive arsenal, including five 5-inch guns and a quad torpedo tube, when enemies thought they could provoke the sleeping giant, meets the legendary wrath of liberty's guardians. These ships could travel at about 38 knots, enabling them to outrun and outgun adversaries and assist in fleet actions and amphibious operations.
So, why aren't these vessels more celebrated? The answer is convoluted by the love affair public history seems to have with carriers and massive battleships—the celebrity aircraft of the Navy, so to speak. But in reality, the destroyers of the Somers class were the unsung heroes, the workhorses that allowed those bigger ships to do their job. Much like today's political landscape, it's not always about the most visible players, but sometimes those who work hard behind the scenes.
Built across the United States, from Bath Iron Works in Maine to Federal Shipbuilding in New Jersey, six Somers-class destroyers saw action from the early days of the Second World War and even served noble post-war functions. Consider how their very existence argued the case for maintaining a strong and ready force, an argument that some refuse to entertain today.
You might wonder about their journey, starting with USS Somers (DD-381), the lead ship of this class, which served with distinction in both the Atlantic and the Pacific. From raiding German ships to rescuing downed aviators, the Somers-class performers were everywhere. Let’s remember these mighty destroyers when discussing a legacy of robust preparedness.
Instead of retreating from battle, USS Somers took it to the enemy, just like today when we know that projecting strength is sometimes the best form of diplomacy.
But, like all good things, the time of the Somers-class destroyers eventually came to an end. By the late 1940s, advancements in naval technology rendered these once-state-of-the-art ships obsolescent, leading to their eventual retirement. As we witness political whims trying to mimic that same sense of meaningful obsolescence, let's not forget the lessons these ships taught us about deterrence and preparedness.
The legacy of these vessels may seem to fade as time progresses, evacuated from the pages of liberal-dominated narratives, yet their contributions are etched in naval history—firm reminders that a strong defense keeps threats at bay while ensuring peace and prosperity.
So, the next time you find yourself discussing the heroes of World War II, give a nod to the Somers-class destroyers. Silent but potent, understated yet pivotal, they serve as powerful reminders of an America that remained vigilant and ready, never satisfied with anything less than peace through strength.