Franklin D. Roosevelt’s “Floating White House”
Oakland, California
2009
FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT’S “FIRSTS”
Spring Edition
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
By Edward I. Bloom
In his introduction to The Words That Reshaped America – FDR, author Stamford
Parker writes, “On March 8, 1933, Franklin Delano Roosevelt held a press conference unlike any that had preceded it. He said to the reporters gathered around
his desk: ‘I am told that what I am about to do will become impossible, but I
am going to try it. We are not going to have anymore written questions.’ And
discarding those pre-submitted by the press, he invited the reporters to ask him
anything they wanted to. This candor, this willingness to tell the truth and tell it
straight, was one of Roosevelt’s greatest strengths as a speaker and a writer.”
Firsts in the FDR Presidency
The pioneering president
breaks with tradition by
Edward I. Bloom
Page 1
From the Archives
An overview on the Potomac
Archives its treasures by
Curator, Hank Laney
Page 4
It Works!
A report on the “Heart of the
Potomac”
Page 2
Douglas VC-54C “Sacred Cow”
There are many other “firsts” in Franklin Roosevelt’s long career, not all of which
occurred during his presidency. The following list is by no means comprehensive,
but represents some of the better-known milestones in this remarkable man’s life:
First presidential nominee to give an acceptance speech in-person at a national
political convention; Chicago, summer of 1932.
First president to hold informal twice-weekly press conferences throughout his
presidency; 992 sessions, partially for off-the-record background, and partially
for direct attribution.
First president to give radio talks to a nation-wide audience. This series of evening broadcasts, 30 in all, were called “fireside chats.”
First president to travel out of the country while still in his term of office:
• Atlantic Conference in August of 1941
• Casablanca Conference in January of 1943
• Quebec Conference in August of 1943
• Cairo Conference in November of 1943
Continued on page 2
Friends of the Potomac
The most important page in
this issue
Page 7
Marti’s Musings…
A closer look at the Potomac’s
many exciting cruises for the
coming cruise season.
Page 3
2009 Cruise Schedule
Something for everyone
Page 6
Letters to the Editor
Thoughts from Fifth Graders
on their visits to the Potomac
Page 5
For Potomac Links
Go to:
www.usspotomac.org
“Firsts” continued
• Tehran Conference in November of 1943
• Yalta Conference in January of 1945
Note: Hawaii Conference with Adm Nimitz and Gen McArthur is not considered outside the U.S.
First president to travel by air while still in office; “The
Sacred Cow” was the designation of his airplane.
First president to serve more than two terms; he served three
full terms and two and a half months into a fourth term.
First president to start his term of office on January 20th, due
to the Twentieth Amendment to the Constitution.
First presidential nominee and serving president to be wheelchair bound, except for brief periods of standing and walking with the aid of leg braces and the supporting arm of a
strong assistant.
First and only president to use The USS Potomac as a “decoy” while secretly attending an international conference:
Atlantic Conference; in August of 1941.
First president to visit the Soviet Union while in office;
Yalta Conference.
First and only president to close all the nation’s banks for
a “bank holiday” by means of an executive order, without
the authorization of Congress, in March of 1933. Note: this
order was never challenged in the courts, but many believe it
was probably unconstitutional.
First president to install a swimming pool in the White
House.
If you know of any other “firsts” regarding FDR, please
send them to me, Edward Bloom, c/o The Potomac Association. Next quarter, I will relate some of the “firsts” concerning Eleanor Roosevelt.
First and only president to be commander-in-chief of a twofront world war.
IT WORKS !
AN ORGANIZATION RUN BY VOLUNTEERS
By Marti Burchell
Photo by Lee Ditlefsen
Take a close look at the photo below. What you see is the
heart and soul of the Association for the Preservation of the
Presidential Yacht Potomac.
Potomac Volunteers run the Association at every level. Our
volunteer Board of Governors sets policy and direction for
the organization, the Ship Maintenance Volunteers keep our
Potomac in pristine and dependable working order, our Office Volunteers handle everything from reservations to event
planning, and our delightful History Docents embody our
mission of education and commitment to the era of Franklin
Delano Roosevelt.
Our Association is blessed with over 120 active, bright,
committed, and totally wonderful volunteers. Two thirds of
these terrific folks attended our most recent Annual All Volunteer Meeting on March 7th.
The most amazing aspect of our organization is that it all
works. There are no turf issues, divisive politics, or silly
sub-agendas; it is all about the success of our Potomac Association. It is working together to tell the Potomac story,
engaging our young students in learning, insuring that our
cruise guests have an enjoyable experience, and having fun
doing it all together.
This meeting is held to give all of our volunteers a chance
to hear about the “State of the Potomac” and what our accomplishments, challenges, and financial year looked like.
It also is an opportunity to meet new volunteers, renew old I am so lucky to be along for the ride. Thank you all.
friendships, plan for the year, and talk about what works and
what needs work.
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Marti’s Musings…Exciting New Cruise Season!
The Potomac History Cruises
are tried and true, and they are
back on the schedule in abundance for 2009. These 2-hour
sojourns around the bay offer
our guests an opportunity to see
San Francisco Bay, learn a bit of
its history, and enjoy the pleasure of sailing on the Potomac.
It’s an effective introduction to
the many other exciting cruises
offered each season.
For instance, this season we are going to Sausalito to visit the
venerable Bay Model. The Army Corps of Engineers built a
scale model of the topography and tidal flow of San Francisco Bay in 1957. The Corps once used this high-tech, 1-1/2
acre model of San Francisco’s bay and delta as a working
lab to resolve problems and observe the impact to changes in
water flow. Today the model is strictly for educational purposes and reproduces (in scale) the rise and fall of tides and
the flow and currents of water. On this excursion we will
cruise to Sausalito, visit the Bay Model, enjoy lunch, and
cruise back to JLS via San Francisco.
Another new adventure is Characters of the Bay on November 5. Who are these people and what have they done? San
Francisco and Oakland have had more than their share of
notable and yes, somewhat crazy characters in their history.
We will focus on some of the better known of these folks,
and tell their stories and how they became part of the history
of the Bay. Come meet Emperor Norton, Lillie Coit, Horace
Carpentier and, of course, FDR.
July, followed in October by the always sold out Fleet Week
Cruises. We wrap up the season with our Veterans’ Day
Cruises as a wonderful tribute to America’s Veterans both
past and present.
Opening Day on the Bay
If you haven’t had enough, how about a trip and tour of Angel Island? We offer six opportunities throughout the season
to enjoy a 5-hour excursion on the Potomac to Angel Island.
You will debark (yes, that really is a word) on the island and
take a 45-minute tram tour followed by a gourmet box lunch.
A leisurely return trip to Jack London Square completes this
lovely day.
Still have not piqued your interest? You can design your own
event! The Potomac is available for private charter throughout the year. Just give me a call at 510-627-1667 or email
me at [email protected] and I will be happy to be
of service.
Popular cruises back for a second season include the 3-hour
Bridges of the Bay, Islands and Shipyards, Historic Ships,
and the Alameda Estuary, and the Treasure Island Cruise.
These all include lunch, and will feature guest narrators for
each of the special destinations.
The Potomac Special Event Cruises are always fun. We
kick off the cruise season with a 3½-hour cruise on Opening Day that includes the Blessing of the Fleet, the parade
of ships and, of course, a shipboard lunch. Next up in quick
succession are the KFOG-KABOOM Cruise with fabulous
fireworks, the Mother’s Day Cruise featuring brunch with
Champagne Mimosas, and in June you can celebrate your
favorite Dad on our Father’s Day Cruise. Next is our very
popular Dessert and Champagne Cruise on the Fourth of
The Potomac berthed at Angel Island
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In previous years, there had been several attempts to organize the archives, only to be later abandoned. However, in
some areas like the photo collection and restoration records,
remarkable progress had been made. But there are still dozens of file folders and objects that had been loosely lumped
together and all but forgotten. So I have to go through it all,
try to remember what I had seen so far, and then properly
assign all that had not been catalogued to where it belonged.
Here are a few of the rare finds I have uncovered in my work
so far:
From the Potomac Archives...
By Hank Laney, Curator
In my first days as a new volunteer,
Craig Newton, our Ship Keeper, gave
me a tour of the facilities. We approached a locked room in the storage trailer to show me the Archives
that hold a number of binders, files,
drawers, and bookshelves filled with old photos, documents,
and artifacts. No one quite knows where all this came from,
but they provide a record of FDR’s use of the Potomac, the
ship’s restoration, and present day operations. I was captivated by this wealth of valuable information. A day or so
later, Marti Burchell and Craig asked if I would be interested
in organizing it all so it could be shared with the Potomac
community. Being a history buff, I said, “sure.” So begins
the journey.
The first step was to get some sense of how to organize it.
There was so much to sort through including: Hundreds
of photos, letters, and documents; stamp collections; FDR
guest logs; recordings, newspapers, and magazines; period
glassware and silverware; Elvis memorabilia; and the restoration documentation. As I was sorting though all this material, it became clear to me that a logical organization would
be around the different eras of the Potomac’s history:
• Original crewmember accounts of what life was like aboard with FDR
• Press and military protocols for the arrival of King George VI in 1939 (the first visit of a
British Sovereign to the U.S.)
• Telegrams from the Potomac to the press hiding the intentions of FDR and Churchill to meet for the Atlantic Conference in 1941
• First-day covers and stamps of important FDR era events
• Documentation of the pot bust (!) involving the Potomac in 1980
• Contemporary thank you letters, some with drawings, from children who have cruised on the Potomac since 1995.
When I have completed the catalogue process, I hope that
the archives will serve as a historical resource to be enjoyed
by all. Providing access to these treasures is in the early
stages, but include the creation of a rotating exhibit for the
Visitor’s Center and holding open hours for visiting the archives by appointment. I would appreciate any input on this
from you as well.
• The conversion of the Electra
• FDR’s extensive use of the ship and the historic occasions aboard
• 1945 to the 80’s, and the Potomac’s dismal decline
• Port of Oakland acquisition leading to the restoration
• And, of course, the successful operation of the Potomac as a National Historic Trust to this day.
Finally, in future editions of Potomac Currents, I will use
this column to focus on particular areas of this collection so
you can better appreciate what we have and how it fits into
the wonderful 75-year history of the Potomac. Thank you for this wonderful opportunity.
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Letters to the Editor
Virginia Rapp
While working a docent shift one rainy Friday in February,
Myrna McGraw, Education Coordinator for the USS Potomac, handed me a binder filled with thank you letters from
fifth graders who had been on our Student Cruises. After
reading a few, I realized that I had met many of these students on my first cruise as a Docent for the Student Program
last October. It was just before Fleet Week, so the excitement
for these children ran even higher when, during their cruise,
the Blue Angels flew over the Bay, and often directly above
the Potomac, for a practice run.
When I was on the Potomac, I felt special. Thank you for letting us go on the Potomac. It was
fasinating (sic) to sit, see, and even stand where Roosevelt once did. Madison S.
I think this says it all about the importance of our Student Program
and the unique experience it offers
to children who visit the Potomac.
As a docent and as editor of Potomac Currents, this comes with my
thanks to all of you who help make
this program possible. As Kelly C.
wrote, “I enjoyed the ride.”
Since then, I have added a second hat as a volunteer for the
Association, and am now the editor of Potomac Currents.
Moreover, as editor, I could not pass up the opportunity to
share some of these thank you letters and their recurring
themes. Most began with Dear Docent (hey, that’s me!) or
Dear Potomac Staff.
Last, but not least, our sincere thanks to the students, teachers, and parent chaperones who sailed with us on October 9,
and are from the following schools: Ecole Bilingue, James
Monroe Elementary, Haight Elementary, Roosevelt Elementary, and the Mother Lode Jr. Academy. It was great to have
you aboard!
The couch was mentioned frequently. It was a hit with the
students who found it relaxing and comfortable, and they
clearly understood why this was FDR’s favorite way to enjoy
the Potomac. Several letters mentioned the typewriter in the
Commanding Officer’s cabin. As Mariela put it, I can’t believe I saw a typewriter for the very first time! Others wrote
that they loved giving a pat on the head to Fala, an adorable
dog, according to Jocelyn N. Another other student, David
M., told us, I learned many new words such as deck, starboard, wall, and ladder, while his classmate, Isaieh, really
liked the Presidential kitchen. Sailing under the Bay Bridge
was the highlight for many including Juan, but he also wrote,
I was very glad that we didn’t sink.
In the next issue of Potomac Currents, I will be writing to
you from a column called Mooring Lines. In the meantime,
I look forward to more letters to the editor, and look forward
to hearing from you.
In a group of letters that began Dear Tomasina, our young
visitors said over and over that they liked wearing the hat
– the Fedora in the FDR’s Stateroom. It was cool! (Ed’s.
Note: Hats off to Docent Tomasina Woida! I will be sure to
add hat doffing to my itinerary the next time I lead a Student
Tour.) However, what struck me most was the letter addressed to
Dear Potomac People, that went on to say:
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JOIN US ABOARD THE POTOMAC
2009 SPECIAL EVENT CRUISES
• Angel Island Cruise and Tour
May 27 • June 24 • July 22 • August 26
(Once a month, May through October) September 23 • October 28
• Opening Day on the Bay
April 26
• Mother’s Day
May 10
• Father’s Day
June 21
• Independence Day July 4
• Fleet Week October 10 and 11
• Veteran’s Day
November 11 (2 cruises)
Prices and times for Special Event Cruises will vary, please call for information.
2009 THREE HOUR SPECIAL HISTORY CRUISES
All Special History Cruises Depart at 10:30 AM
June 18 and September 12
Historic Ships of the Bay
June 13 and September 17
Alameda, the Estuary & Treasure Island
July 16 and August 8 Islands and Shipyards July 11 and August 20 Three Bridges of the Bay
November 5 – Famous Characters of the Bay
Adults -$65, Seniors - $60, Children 6-12 - $45, Groups of 20 or more - $50 (Includes lunch)
October 15 – Bay Model Cruise (5-Hrs.) Adults $85- Seniors $80 -Children $65 -Groups $75
2009 TWO HOUR HISTORY CRUISES
All History Cruises Depart at 10:30 AM
History Cruises run May through November on alternate Thursdays and Saturdays. A full schedule is available
on our website at www.usspotomac.org or call for information 510-627-1215.
Adults -$45, Seniors - $40, Children 6-12 - $25, Groups of 20 or more - $35
DOCKSIDE TOURS
Docent-lead tours of the Potomac, Wednesday and Friday 10:30AM to 2:30PM, and Sunday Noon to 3:30PM
Adult $10 – Seniors $8 – Children under 12 Free
The Potomac Association
540 Water Street
P.O. Box 2064 Oakland, CA 94604
Telephone: 510-627-1215
www.usspotomac.org
The Potomac Currents is published
by the Association for the Preservation
of the Presidential Yacht, Potomac, Inc.
Editor: Virginia Rapp
Layout and Design: David McGraw
Editorial Board: Marti Burchell, Ed Bloom,
Rich Knowles, Les Marks, Hank Laney and
David McGraw.
Electronic Guru: Karen Lyberger
No part of this publication may be
reproduced without the written permission
of the publisher.
Board of Governors and Staff
Michael Roosevelt, Chairman
Carla Betts, President
Tom Morehouse, 1st Vice President
Art Haskell, CFO
Jean Gaskill, Secretary
Rick Anderson, Mary Bergan,
Joe Brennan, David Connolly,
Curtis Davies,Virginia Furth,
Judy Goff, Al Groh,
Doug Higgins, Hal Marsh, James McCloud,
Denny McLeod, Ron Paredes, Jeff Sturm,
Kirk Rowlands, Richard Zampa
This Sailboat is a reproduction of an original
design by President Roosevelt used on his personal matchbooks.
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Marti Burchell, Executive Director
Craig Newton, Ship Keeper
Friends of the Potomac
The USS Potomac Association acknowledges the following individuals and organizations for their generous
donations between January 1, 2009 and March 31, 2009
SUSTAINING PATRON
Kieretsu Forum
Port of Oakland
CORPORATE/PATRON
APL Transpacific Trade
Ken & Carla Betts
Joe Brennan & Jan Tiura
Matson Navigation
Waterfront Plaza Hotel
COMMANDER IN CHIEF
Rick Anderson
CA Field Iron Workers Admin
Trust
Dr Jacob Deegan
Dale Hansen
Arthur Haskell
Floyd James
Willis Deming
Virginia Furth
Jean & Barbara Gaskill
ADMIRAL
Kurt Lauridsen
James McCloud
Denny & Ruth McLeod
Dan Strohl
Richard Zampa – District
Council of Ironworkers
Tom & Carol Morehouse
ELEANOR
Kirk Rowlands
John & Clem Underhill
Mary Bergan
Don & Cathy DeCoss
William & Marsha Dillon
James & Rebecca Eisen
Karen Keys
Johnson Bogart
James Bolen
Ronald & Lillian Cape
Pat & Barbi Carson
Ronald Cassasa
Les & Elaine Dropkin
Olaf Elander
Norman & Edna Eltringham
Vickie Gregg
Albert Groth
Judd Williams family
David Lee Woods & Phyllis D
Chambers
CAPTAIN
Nancy Kickertz
Bill & Mollie Kinney
Rich Knowles & Merlyn
Uhlenberg
Richard Longorgan
FIRST MATE
Gail & Bruce Adair
Ruth Adar
Carol Anderson
Ron & Judy Arrants
Bay Ship & Yacht
Bruce Baur
Gene Bell
Miriam & Leon Bloomberg
John Bradley
Roland Brandel
Marti Burchell
Windy & Jerry Butler
Vern & Alice Carrier
Dave Connally
Fred Cunningham
Chalres & Jacqueline Del
Monte
Al Dessayer
Lee Ditlefsen
Art & Ardeth Dreshfeld
Robert Eakin & Avis Hendley
Joseph Echelberry
Bill & Marine Ewing
Dorothy & Julie Filice
Pete Geffen
Bonnie & Earl Hamlin
Mavourneen Harshman
Heinhold’s First & Last Chance
Saloon
Bill Hodges & Ken Horton
Maxine Adams
Richard Black
Donald Bonney
David Brossard & Sally Beck
Ted Brown
Rachel Buckley
Margot & Valentine Chmel
Steven Coleman
Angelique & Yann CucaroRenault
Gus Dorough
Georgia Edlund
Elizabeth Hannon
Leroy & Marlene Hintzman
Esther Jennings
Colleen Kelly-Prola
Capt Walter Jaffee
Marvin Jensen
Carol Johnston
Charlie Kearns & Frank Ching
Lawrence Kellog Jr
Kenneth & Margo Kingsbury
John Klip
Neal & Nancy Lambly
Daniel Lamey
John & Iris Lopez
Sandra Lundgren
Patricia MacLean
Thomas Murray
Jim O’Connor
Art & Carrell Rankin
David & Myrna McGraw
Angeline Papestafan
Stuart & Vallyn Proffitt
Michael Roosevelt
Gordon Seligson
Beverly Voelker
Joseph & Bonnie Reid
Mitch Salzman
Jon & Fran Siler
Jerry & Lovene Silsdorf
Elaine Stanley
Melinda Taplin
Rudy Tilley
John & Darleen Upmeier
Lee Velde
Wanda Wiviano
Cynthia Weiss
Patrick Welch
John & Marilyn Welland
Mary Whitehead
Ruth Ann Yager
FALA
Jack Lapidos
Lucy & Lawrence John
Ronald Louis
Dawn Muller
Cathy O’Brien
Ann Papastefan
John Papastefan & family
William Peeters
Herbert Ploch
Brenda Price
Virginia Rapp
Maurice Robichaud
Mary Rudser
Bill & Carol Seawell
Kathy Szumiloski
Robert Woodruff
STUDENT/TEACHER
Tom Bernitt
Note: Questions or comments about the above listing may be referred to Gordon Seligson, email:
[email protected] or write to Friends of the Potomac, P.O. Box 2064, Oakland, CA 94604.
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