POTOMAC
CURRENTS
Franklin D. Roosevelt’s “Floating White House”
Oakland, California
Sailor, Mentor and
Ambassador of Goodwill
Meet Potomac Captain
“Skip” Eltringham
The Potomac Association is very fortunate to
have our historic Presidential Yacht in the very
capable hands of Capt. Skip Eltringham. Skip
came to the Potomac in 2002 when he was jointly recruited by Ship Keeper Larry Harrison and
Bosun Bruce Waygood. He was a volunteer on
the Jeremiah O’Brien at the time and was looking to expand his horizons.
2006
Volume 3 Number 3
The Potomac Hosts HAMS
By Les Marks
The USS Potomac was a navy ship and like all navy ships since the early 1900’s, used radios as its
main mode of communication for passing messages between the ship and shore stations. For long
distance communication, the high frequency (HF) band was used. That is the same band that is used
by Ham Radio Operators for communicating with other Ham operators all over the world.
In the radio room aboard the Potomac, there are two old gray radio receivers from the 1940’s that
are typical of the radios that would have been on board when President Roosevelt used the Potomac.
The radio operator would have used such equipment to send and receive messages for the president.
Every radio station has a unique call sign to identify itself while it is on the air. The call sign for the
radios on the USS Potomac when it was a navy ship was NEJP.
In this age of around-the-world instant communication by satellite, we are attempting to preserve
the heritage of HF radio communication by operating a Ham radio station on board the Potomac.
Over the past several years, Peter Hoffman has set up a temporary Ham station on board and operated the station for special events using the call sign N6P. In September 2005, our ship keeper,
Craig Newton, obtained a Club Amateur Radio License with the call sign KI6ASN for the Potomac,
although we have not yet organized a formal club.
It did not take long for Skip to be hooked on
the powerful history of the Potomac and the man
she served. As he says, “I enjoy the Potomac because of the historic background, and I believe it
is important to preserve it for future generations.
The ship has a story to tell about one of our great
presidents. All of the crew and I really love this
old vessel; she is special.”
Skip is currently the most active of our capable cadre of five captains. His service encompasses all of his duties as captain, as well
as recruiting, scheduling, training and mentoring crewmembers and future captains. He has a
Cont. on Page 2
Radio equipment can be expensive, so we looked to our
friends in the Ham radio community to see if there might be
some good used equipment available that we could purchase
at a reasonable cost. Jim McWhorter from the Livermore
Amateur Radio Klub (LARK) asked us to put our station
equipment requirements in a letter to LARK for presentation at their Klub meeting. We were elated when LARK
informed us that the Klub would donate a radio transceiver
and power supply to the Potomac. On May 4, 2006, a Kenwood TS-440S transceiver and a Daiwa RS-40XII power
supply were delivered and set up on the Potomac by Jim
McWhorter of LARK.
The equipment was initiated into service by Ron Kane, Arnold Harding, Doug Jones and Dave
Counts of LARK, along with Les Marks of the Potomac, the weekend of June 3 for the annual Museum Ships on the Air event. During about nine hours of operation that weekend, 73 contacts were
logged, five of which were with other Museum Ships. This year there were 66 Museum Ships from
around the world that participated. The Bay Area was well represented with the USS Hornet, USS
Pampanito, SS Red Oak Victory and, of course, the Potomac.
We will continue to team with LARK to have guest radio operators on board for special events
as well as for regular History Cruises. We will also look to their expertise for help in getting our
Potomac Radio Club organized. Any Potomac volunteer or staff member who is a licensed Ham
radio operator is welcome to be a part of our club.
Page 2
Skip cont. from Page 1
talent for uncovering the potential in new crew
and mentoring them through the process of upgrading their Merchant Marine Documents and
ultimately acquiring a captain’s license. On the
bridge, Skip is all business; competent, professional and well respected by all who visit him
there.
For the Potomac guest, a visit to the bridge
to meet the captain is often the highlight of their
experience on the ship. Skip’s cordial welcome
to visitors, and his willingness to share the experience of observing how the ship operates,
is a treat for young and old. Once the vessel
is docked, Skip can usually be found on the
gangway, thanking our guests for coming and
sharing a congenial “Come sail with us again”
as they depart. Our own goodwill ambassador.
The goodwill Skip shares is reflected in the
Potomac crew as well. I am so often complimented by passengers with the comment, “The
captain and crew were so friendly and helpful,
it was a pleasure being on board.” The Potomac
is fortunate indeed to have such a fine group of
folks running the ship.
I asked Skip to describe for me his most
hair-raising experience as captain of the Potomac. He recalled, “It was a dark and stormy
night and we were returning from a charter run
to San Francisco. Just as we got the after bow
spring line made fast (for the uninitiated, the after bow spring line is key to bringing the ship to
a stop and a safe docking position), a big gust
of wind caught us from behind and pushed us
hard against the dock. Fortunately there were
fenders along the dock itself, but the aluminum
railing on the ramp did take on a new look.” No
damage was done to the ship, thanks to Skip’s
handling skills and the quick reaction of the
crew.
LCDR Norman P. “Skip” Eltringham, (USN,
Ret), joined the family of the Presidential Yacht
Potomac following a long, 30-year career in the
U.S. Navy, 13 of which were in the submarine
service. He started his Navy career at 17 when
his Mom gave him the ultimatum, “You have
three choices: go to school, go to work or join
the service.” Joining the Navy was a logical
choice for young Skip as he was born and raised
in the Navy town of New London, Connecticut. He spent 16 years as an enlisted man, five
as a chief warrant officer, where he learned to
“drive” ships, and nine as a commissioned officer. During his service Skip earned a degree
in business and economics at Rollins College in
Winter Park, Florida.
Following his retirement from the Navy, Skip
decided to expand his experience and joined the
Merchant Marine. He did not join as a captain,
however. He needed to learn some different
skills, and so served as an able seaman and third
mate. He spent time learning the skills needed
on deep-sea surface vessels with the Military
Sealift Command and then began working part
Marti’s Musings
The Association for the Preservation of the Presidential
Yacht Potomac (yes, that is our “real” name) has been fortunate over the years in the dedicated and talented folks it attract
to the Board of Governor. At the June meeting we were delighted to welcome two new members to the Board of Governors. They are:
•Curtis R. Davies
Curtis Davies brings over 30 years of business experience
in commercial real estate to the board. The majority of that
experience has been in hospitality-oriented business. This
expertise will serve the Association well as it moves forward
with a valued historic landmark property in the Bay Area.
The Potomac was brought to Curtis’ attention when a request was made by current Board Member Tom Morehouse for
a corporate contribution to our educational program. Curtis’
company, Buchanan Street Partners, followed through with a
generous gift of $10,000 to help fund the 2007 student cruise program. This gift will pay more than
50 percent of the cost of the program for the coming year.
Shortly thereafter, Curtis took advantage of an opportunity to bring his family on board the Potomac for an Opening Day on the Bay cruise. It was during the cruise, after a warm and delightful
afternoon on the bay, that Tom Morehouse recruited Curtis to our board.
Curtis’ enthusiasm for the Potomac and her mission, his experience in working with local corporations and the fact that he is a UC Berkeley graduate all add up to a wonderful addition to our
Board of Governors. Welcome aboard, Curtis R. Davies.
•Kirk O. Rowlands
Kirk Rowlands’ lifetime interest and research into the life and times of Franklin Delano Roosevelt
and World War II bring a whole new dimension of understanding to our Association. In addition to
his extensive studies, Kirk served during the “Great War” from 1943 to 1945 and brings the knowledge of actual experience. We are pleased to welcome such a distinguished scholar to our board.
Kirk’s career with academia spans 30 years of service in the office of the president at UC Berkeley in areas of budget and finance. He graduated from Washington State, received an MBA from
University of Washington and conducted postgraduate studies as both Harvard and UC Berkeley.
We will certainly be extending an invitation to Kirk Rowlands to share some of his experiences
and knowledge with our docents and friends through our oral history program this fall.
And finally, I would personally like to extend an invitation to all our readers, friends and guests to
visit our Potomac Visitor Center. Our most recent exhibit on the life of Eleanor Roosevelt is excellent. It was researched and designed by Addie Silviera, one of our super spring 2006 interns. There
is also a new look to our electronic museum with a much-simplified welcome page and several new
files on the travels of President Roosevelt. This upgrade was designed and installed by Andrea
Martin, another of our interns.
Cheers till next time.
Marti B.
time with the Marine Science Institute and subsequently with the oil spill response vessel, Pacific Responder in San Francisco Bay. Skip still
sails as relief master, mate, or AB with the Responder in addition to his Potomac duties.
lege professor, and a security officer. He has
been married to the lovely Edna (also a Potomac
volunteer) Eltringham since they met and fell
in love at the NAS Alameda Officers’ Club 26
years ago.
Skip is the proud dad to ”My three sons:”
a mechanical engineer, a commercial arts col-
From all of us at the Potomac Association, a
hearty “Well done, sailor.”
Page 3
NOW HEAR THIS
LAGNIAPPE
Cajun- A little something extra
The Roosevelts in Song
The Roosevelt Library in New York contains
some
fourteen thousand songs that regular
,
Americans wrote to Franklin Delano and Eleanor Roosevelt during their time in the White
House.
From Weekend Edition, NPR
April 21, 2001
Winston Churchill on War
One day President Roosevelt told me that he
was asking publicly for suggestions about what
the war should be called. I said at once, “The
Unnecessary War.”
Winston Churchill, 1948
Wartime Rationing
Ration-time recipes are offered to you in the
hope that they will help solve some of the problems of planning wholesome well-rounded wartime meals for your family.
Taking into consideration the rationing of some
foods, and the scarcities of many others, we
assembled from leading dietitians these recipes emphasizing extra value from your ration
points.
How wonderful it is to be a part of the Potomac family.
Volunteering on behalf of this historic national treasure is
rewarding in itself. Add to that the interaction with other
volunteers and crew AND most important, visitors, and it
couldn’t get much better.
Recently I had the pleasure of hosting a get-together for
family and friends aboard the Potomac. Among the guests
were family members from out of state and local friends,
including Potomac docents. Some guests had never visited our treasure and were as awed as I was the first time I
set foot on the vessel several years ago.
True to their calling, the docent-guests not only answered questions, they also conducted tours.
Most of us do feel a personal connection to the Potomac, which I believe is quite apparent. Am I
proud of being a member of this special group of people? You bet!
Some comments from guests:
Being on board FDR’s Floating White House is an EVENT…
There seems to be a pride of ownership…
Getting a tour of the engine room was special…
We even visited the pilot house…
Angie Papastefan, Editor
[email protected]
You will find that these recipes are also economical in cost. Margarine, used throughout,
provides nutritional value but is not expensive.
It is useful both as a cooking fat and as a delicious table spread.
Special thanks to Dorothy M. Frye for her editorial assistance.
Published by National Cotton Council of America, early 1940’s
While he was president, FDR probably never thought about the possibility of pirate ships. Today,
there is a resurgence of brazen pirate attacks, usually carried out from small vessels. In the days of
yore, a variety of vessels were used for different types of “jobs.” Some pirates even had a flagship
in their fleet. These are a few of the vessels of choice:
ELEANOR ROOSEVELT
This I Remember, 1949
I have never known a man who gave one a
greater sense of security (than Franklin). That
was because I never heard him say there was
a problem that he thought it was impossible
for human beings to solve. He recognized the
difficulties and often said that while he did not
know the answer, he was completely confident
that there was an answer; that somewhere a man
could be found who could give the answer, and
that one had to try until one either found it for
oneself or got it through someone else. He never
talked about his doubts. When he was planning
something he consulted many people and took
the best advice he could get, but once he had
made his decision he wasted no time in worry.
PICKY, PICKY PIRATES
Square-rigger
Most often used as the flagship. It was as much as 110 feet long (the Potomac is 165 feet long)
and could carry as many as 200 men and much loot.
Schooner
This was the vessel of choice for shoal water because of her shallow draft.
Sloop
Great for smugglers because of her rapier-like bowsprit (a large spar projecting forward). The
word sloop may have originated from the Dutch sloep, a ship that sails well. For sailors, a further
description is “a one-masted fore-and-aft-rigged sailboat.” A sloop could carry 75 men and 14 cannons.
Brigantine
This word comes from the French brigand for “a lawless fellow who lives by plunder.” It is an
apt description for the vessel since the Brigantine was the preferred combat vessel. It could carry a
crew of 100 and mount 10 cannons.
Carrack
Although defined as “a type of merchant ship, often armed,” it was used by the Spanish and
Portuguese in their long voyages to the East Indies. One source tells us the word comes from the
Old French caraque and could go back to the Arabic qaraqir. Another source describes this as
kerkouros, a long-sterned Cypriote vessel.
Thanks to Don DeCoss for provding background for this article.
Page 4
CONTRIBUTIONS and ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS • January to June 2006
Corporate Patron
Captain
Buchanan Street Partners
Mary Bergan
Olaf Elander
George Fraser
Linda Huber
Richard Knowles and Merlyn Uhlenberg
James McCloud
Angie Papastefan
John Roveda
Gordon Seligson
John Welland
Patron
Buzz Gibb
Stanley Jacobsen and Emmy Werner
Commander-in-Chief
Jim Bolen
Denny and Ruth McLeod
Gary Pfeiffer
Beverly Voelker
Dick Zampa (Ironworkers International)
First Mate
Bruce and Gail Adair
Miriam and Leon Bloomberg
Windy and Jerry Butler
Fred Cunningham
Lester and Elaine Dropkin
Robert Eakin and Avis Hendley
Bill and Marie Ewing
Dorothy and Julie Filice
Norman and Nancy Forrest
Bonnie and Earl Hamlin
Bill and Sue Hodges
Ray and Robin Hunt
Marvin Jensen
Neal and Nancy Lamby
Admiral
Albert Groh
Eleanor
Ruth Adar
Dale Hansen
Douglas Higgins
Board of Governors and Staff
Michael Roosevelt, Chairman
Carla Betts, President
Al Groh, 1st Vice President
Tom Morehouse, 2nd Vice President
Art Haskel, CFO
Willis Deming, Secretary
Rick Anderson
Mary Bergan
Joe Brennan
Curtis Davies
David Connolly
Virginia Furth
Buzz Gibb
Judy Goff
Doug Higgins
James McCloud
Denny McLeod
Kirk Rowlands
Ron Paredes
Richard Zampa
Fala
Don Bonney
Gus Dorough
Joseph Echelberry
Georgia Edlund
Leroy and Marlene Hintzman
Walter Jaffee, Capt.
Lucy John
Frank McConville
Terry and Carolyn Moreland
Dawn Muller
Herbert Ploch
Mary Rudser
Student/Teacher
Ted Brown
Elizabeth Hannon
Note: if you have any questions or comments about the above listing, please e-mail: gseligson@usspotomac.
org or write to Friends of the Potomac, Attn, Gordon Seligson, P.O.Box 2064, Oakland CA 94604
POTOMAC SCHEDULE 2006
SPECIAL CRUISEs
Fleet Week, Oct. 7 and 8 • Veteran’s Day, Nov.11
Angel Island; Cruise, Tram Tour and Lunch. Aug. 24,
Sept. 27, Oct. 25, Nov. 15.
Call for reservations and pricing
DOCKSIDE TOURS
The Potomac is open for docent-led dockside tours from mid-January to mid-December. Tours
are approximately 45 minutes and include a 15 minute video shown in the Visitor Center.
Wednesday and Friday 10:30am to 2:30pm
Sunday 12 Noon to 3:30pm
Dockside Ticket Pricing:
$7/Adult • $5/Seniors • 12 and under/Free
Marti Burchell, Executive Director
The Potomac Association
540 Water Street
P.O. Box 2064 Oakland, CA 94604
Telephone: 510-627-1215
e-mail: [email protected]
The Potomac Newsletter is published
by the Association for the Preservation
of the Presidential Yacht, Potomac, Inc.
SPRING HISTORY CRUISES
Enjoy a two-hour narrated History Cruise with our knowledgeable docents. Complimentary coffee,
tea and water will be available. Tickets must be purchased by contacting Ticket Web at www.ticketweb.com or by calling 866-468-3399. Spring cruising season resumes in May 2007. Reservations
are highly recommended. Groups of 20 or more must make reservations by calling the Potomac
Association at 510-627-1215.
Printed courtesy of the Port of Oakland’s
REPROGRAPHIC DEPARTMENT
Editor: Angie Papastefan
Layout and Design: David McGraw
Editorial Board: Ron Arrants, Marti Burchell,
and David McGraw
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED:
No part of this publication may be reproduced
without written permission by the publisher
Daniel Lamey
Jack Lapidos
E. Richard Martin
David and Myrna McGraw
Jim O’Connor
David Shaw
Wanda Vivano
Brian Withiam
Robert Woodruff
All Cruises Depart Jack London Square at 11am
History Cruise Ticket Pricing:
Adults $40.00 / Seniors (over 60) $35.00
Youth 6-12 / $20.00, Under 6 Free
Groups of 20 or more $30.00
For further dates and information: www.usspotomac.org