The Curse of the Somers: The Secret History behind the U.S. Navy's Most Infamous Mutiny

During the early American Republic, the U.S. Navy experienced its greatest controversy when it was revealed that the son of the Secretary of War had plotted a bloody mutiny on the brig Somers. The plot was discovered, and the conspirators were quickly condemned and hanged at sea. The "Somers affair" led to the founding of the U.S. Naval Academy and remains the Navy's only acknowledged mutiny in its history. The story has inspired various works of literature and art, and a maritime historian and archaeologist has recently uncovered evidence that sheds new light on the incident. The Curse of the Somers is a thorough recreation of this classic tale that explores the human cost of maritime conflict.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 01 February 2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

The United States Navy's most infamous mutiny, which occurred during the early American Republic, involved a plot to turn the U.S. brig Somers into a pirate ship. The revelation of this plot led to swift condemnation and execution of the conspirators, including the son of the Secretary of War. The aftermath of this scandal generated widespread headlines, scandal, a physical altercation at a cabinet meeting, a court martial, ruined lives, lost reputations, and eerie tales of a haunted ship bound for the devil. The "Somers affair" had significant consequences, leading to the establishment of the U.S. Naval Academy and remains the Navy's only officially recognized mutiny in its history. This incident also inspired notable works such as Herman Melville's "White-Jacket" and Billy Budd. Several individuals were connected to the Somers, including Commodore Perry, who defended the captain Mackenzie; James Fenimore Cooper, who had a longstanding feud with the captain dating back to the War of 1812; and Raphael Semmes, the Somers' last captain, who later served in the Confederate Navy.

The Curse of the Somers is a captivating retelling of this timeless tale, meticulously researched and written by a maritime historian and archaeologist who played a crucial role in identifying the long-lost wreck and studying its sunken remains. This book offers a fresh perspective on the events, drawing from a rich historical record and the investigation of the ship's sunken remains. What emerges is an all-too-human story that resonates and chills across centuries, reminding us of the complexities and consequences of human actions at sea.

Weight: 370g
Dimension: 151 x 216 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780197575222