Franklin D. Roosevelt’s “Floating ” Oakland, 2010 Summer Edition

THE BELL COMES HOME INSIDE THIS ISSUE: By Hank Laney, Curator Sea Lions and bombs… Oh, my! During my early days as Curator for The Potomac takes part in the Potomac, I needed to go through Homeland Security training. our archives, page by page, to get a by Marti Burchell ...... 2 sense of what it contained before it could be organized. In an otherwise Marti’s Musings… unremarkable file I found two letters. The Potomac teams up with the One was written in 1985 by Dr. James Red and White Fleet for a unique Roosevelt, FDR’s son, to the Secretary cruising experience ...... 3 of the Navy requesting the Potomac’s original ship’s bell to complete the res- Mooring Lines toration. Attached to this was a reply A note from the Editor essentially approving the request with It’s BACH… and BLUEGRASS! instructions to contact the Curator of Our second season begins this the Navy when ready. September ...... 3

I realized that the original bell still existed and knew who had it. In some 25 years Our Flying First Lady no one had followed up. With proof in hand, I decided to pursue the request. A look at ’s love for The Curator of the Navy has a very informative website listing how, and under flying and her friendship with what conditions, archival objects can be obtained along with rules governing their Amelia Earhart. “care, custody and control.” It made clear that the Navy always retains title to its by Paulette Langguth ...... 4 property, but also has a loan program for qualifying organizations. FDR and the I certainly thought we would qualify as we have FDR’s Presidential Yacht, in We remember so many… addition to being a National Historic Landmark. In January 2009, I wrote to the by Edward I. Bloom ...... 5 Curator requesting the original bell and included a number of documents they requested about our association. I followed up a week or so later with a phone 2010 Cruise Schedule call to the Curator who expressed enthusiasm, and had in fact, seen the Potomac A cruise on the Bay aboard the out on the bay during a visit to . He had already begun processing Potomac offers something for the request. everyone! ...... 6

After no small amount of time I again called. The original Curator had left, files Friends of the Potomac were in disarray, and they had lost the request. Could I resubmit the request? The most important page in this issue...... 7 More time passes, more phone calls, more “we are working on it.” This went on for months. POTOMAC LINKS:

All I could do was be patient while trying not to be a pest. And then suddenly Cruises and Special Events came an email; they had located the bell and it was ready to ship!! They also had Student Tours lost the paperwork (again) and requested another copy for their files. Private Charter and Events Become a Friend of the Potomac I made arrangements to ship it to a local UPS outlet so we could inspect it at our leisure. After notification of its arrival, Ron Gammon and I located the crate and opened it for inspection. It was exactly as hoped, with USS Potomac 1936 proudly Continued Page 2 Sea Lions, and bombs... under the Potomac, oh my! By Marti Burchell

Recently, the Presidential Yacht Potomac participated in two national anti-terrorist activities. Both were training opportu- nities for agencies charged with Homeland Security.

The first exercise involved the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Commission. These folks train dolphins and sea li- ons to detect “limpet mines” that have been attached to the hulls of ships, bridge pilings, commercial shipping docks, and the like. It was fascinating to watch this two-day exercise, and of The sea lions and their trainers came along side the Potomac course, to have the opportunity to get up close to the beau- in a small boat. A diver was then sent under the ship to place tiful sea lions. Carla Betts, Potomac Association President, the dummy mine on her hull. Once the diver surfaced and and I were invited to go aboard the team’s boat and meet returned to the boat, the sea lion was released. She swam the sea lions. These animals are noted for their ability to see under the Potomac, and returned shortly to let the trainer extraordinarily well under water, and even in murky circum- know she had found a mine. The sea lion was then given a stances. Not hard to believe, as they have beautiful, dark mouth-held bit attached to a rope and returned to the “mine.” eyes the size of eggs. A diver then followed the rope to the mine and neutralized the threat. The second training exercise was held by the Department of Homeland Security and TSA. This involved hiding “terrorist bomb materials” in two locations on the Potomac. A pair of instructors came aboard first and placed the materials in places where they determined a terrorist might have an op- portunity to hide them.

A team of security trainees and members of the law enforce- ment bomb squads from around the Bay Area were then turned loose on the ship to find the materials. They used all sorts of sophisticated detection devices, none of which I can pronounce. The speed at which they were successful in find- ing the materials was very impressive. Equally impressive were the men and women who are charged with the duties of keeping our country safe from those who would do us harm. Their dedication and professionalism was a pleasure to observe.

The Bell from Page 1 engraved on the body. It weighs about 80 pounds and measures approximately 16 by 16 inches. By then more than a year was spent waiting, making calls, and sending letters. It was worth it.

We plan to make a special display for the bell in the Dining Saloon on the wall where the ship’s clock and Presidential seal are located. This wall is pretty much the focal point of the Saloon, but more important, it is made from ¼-inch plate steel that will provide a secure mounting on a moving ship . People often ask me if the clapper is still in place. The answer is yes, but it will be disabled for obvious reasons. We hope by the time you read this issue of Potomac Currents we will have the bell mounted on the ship where it belongs, and reunited with the Potomac after some 60 years in a Navy warehouse.

-2- MARTI’S MUSINGS…Partnerships

Partnerships between non-profits and for-profits have been around for many years. The for-profit gains the marketing exposure, tax incentives, and feel-good quotient that come with supporting a non-profit organization. Non-profits gain the financial and in-kind support, expertise, and talent that for-profits can offer. It makes a lot sense and it’s just smart business.

The Potomac has had numerous partnerships over her history in Oakland. The maritime com- munity offered enormous supportive partnerships throughout the 15-year-long restoration of the ship. Companies in Oakland and San Francisco have partnered with the Potomac for special projects since her restoration. The Potomac also had a 25-year partnership with the Port of Oak- land, and while that contract was recently dissolved, the Port still lends its support in the area of in-kind facilities use.

We are about to embark on a new partnership and we are delighted to be aligning our National Historic Landmark Presiden- tial Yacht with a respected and equally venerable tour and bay cruise company. Through a fortuitous confluence of interests, and the work of consultant Bruce Burtch, we have been in contact with the Red and White Fleet company in San Francisco to form a partnership.

In 1892, seventeen year-old Thomas Crowley started with one small boat to deliver goods to the larger ships serving the San Francisco area. His service was successful, and in 1906 the Crowley Launch and Tugboat Company was incorporated. Following many years of continued success, the company operates today as the Red and White Fleet under the direction of Thomas Crowley’s grandson, Tom Escher.

We are very excited about our new partnership with the Red and White Fleet, and about working with the fine people who run the company. The Potomac will benefit from this partnership through enhanced international marketing, additional char- ter business revenue, and invaluable exposure to the San Francisco side of the bay. The Red and White Fleet benefits as we work together to add high-end specialty charters and additional education-related bay adventures for their international and local marketing packages.

Our partnership, which began during the restoration with the donation of new engines by Crowley Marine for the Potomac, continues both of our traditions of education and service to clients and new friends from all over the world. We are looking forward to launching this agreement in early July.

MOORING LINES . . .

Bluegrass & Bach On Board returns to the Potomac Sep- It all happens on the Potomac tember 9. The success of these dockside concerts last fall this fall, and a portion of the prompted us to do it again, and we have quite a lineup for proceeds will go to the As- The Second Annual Fall Music Series. High Country and 49 sociation’s educational cruise Special, both award-winning bluegrass bands, will return for program for East Bay school this year’s series. Plus, we welcome two new groups: The children. For reservations and Real Vocal String Quartet offering “an inventive, globally- more on the series, just go to Bluegrass and Bach. We look infused take on chamber music;” and The Kathy Kallick forward to welcoming you aboard. Band specializing in “hot bluegrass & cool originals.” Virginia Rapp, Editor

-3- Our Flying First Lady* By Paulette Langguth

Almost every decade produces celebrities so well known that they can be referred to by just their first names. The in the 1930’s gave us, among others, Eleanor and Amelia. To many the names are well known, but the im- portant part they played in each other’s lives is less so.

Despite the thirteen year difference in the ages of these women, they had a great deal in common. They each spent many years involved with social work and teaching. They both had alcoholic fathers and had been raised primarily by grandparents. They considered themselves “ugly ducklings” due to their height, bad teeth, and bad legs. They both had what would be considered unconventional marriages. And ironically, given how little they cared about such things, they found themselves on the 10 Best-dressed Women in Amer- at Tuskegee ica list in 1934. More importantly, they had a fierce need On a visit to the Tuskegee flying school, circa 1940, First Lady for independence and a desire to improve opportunities for Eleanor Roosevelt flew with pilot C. Alfred “Chief” Anderson. women, believing that work played an important part in a woman’s sense of self-worth. (Eleanor’s greatest fear, when On April 20, 1933, the evening before Amelia was to give a Franklin was elected President, was that she would have to lecture to the DAR, she and her husband, George, were in- fill her days with tours and teas.) vited to dine and spend the night at the White House. Amelia arranged for Eastern Airlines to loan her a plane and a flight Amelia and El- crew and, after dinner that night, asked Eleanor if she want- eanor first met in ed to experience night flying for the first time. Not bothering 1932, just a few to change (wearing evening gowns, fur coats, and white kid weeks after FDR gloves) they went up in the plane. Amelia flew the plane for was elected Pres- a short while and then had Eleanor sit in the cockpit so the ident. In private, captain could explain the controls to her. Perhaps this outing Eleanor shared was, in part, to celebrate the fact that a few days earlier Elea- with Amelia her nor had been made Honorary Chairman of the United States desire to fly and Amateur Pilots Association. Amelia offered to act as her instruc- On June 8, 1937, while Amelia was making her final flight, tor. Eleanor was Eleanor wrote in her syndicated column, “All day I have given the physical been thinking about Amelia Earhart somewhere over the At- examination, eye, lantic.” She added she would be glad when the trip was over depth perception because she was much more interested in Amelia as a person and equilibrium than as a record-breaking pilot. It was with this infamous tests necessary trip, Eleanor had lost a friend and a source of inspiration. for a student pi- Eleanor and Amelia ca 1932 lot permit. She Recommended reading: passed all of the Amelia Earhart - A Biography by Doris Rich tests and received her permit. A short time later the permit East to the Dawn - The Life of Amelia Earhart by Susan arrived in Amelia’s mail with a note reading, “The question Butler now comes as to whether I can induce my husband to let me take lessons. I will let you know if I am successful with him. *Eleanor Roosevelt had a very positive attitude about air I haven’t had a chance even to talk to him about it.” The travel and chose to fly frequently at a time when most Ameri- conversation, of course, was private but the result was that cans refused to even try it. A 1932 photograph of Eleanor there would be no flying lessons. “My husband convinced posed in front of an airplane is captioned “Our Flying First me that it was a waste of time to learn when I could not af- Lady.” ford to buy a plane.”

-4- FDR AND THE FIRESIDE CHATS By Edward I. Bloom

Franklin Roosevelt is remembered for different things by different people, and one of the most oft-recalled are the Fireside Chats. The phrase itself is credited to Steve Early, FDR’s press secretary, in announcing that the President would be going on nation-wide radio that upcoming Sunday evening, March 12, 1933, to explain the banking crisis. It was said that FDR liked to think of the radio audience as, “a few people around his fireside.” The image caught on, and the phrase was coined.

In later years people would erroneously recall dozens of Fireside Chats, but in reality there were only thirteen between 1933 and 1940, and only three more thereafter. The average was less than two a year, with the thought that less was more. The most given in any year was four, in 1933, to explain banking, currency reform, programs and the National Recovery Act. FDR used simple words and phrases, not the formal oratory suitable when speaking to a live audience. However, the chats were never ad-libbed or off-the-cuff. Each was carefully crafted and rehearsed, often going through many drafts. Experienced radio commentators and executives were amazed that FDR could time his presentations, not just to the minute, but to the second of air time allotted by the networks.

The speeches were typed on special limp paper that didn’t rustle near the microphone. FDR had a slight whistle in his normal speech, due to a childhood roughhousing incident when a tooth was accidentally knocked out at Campobello. Before most of the Fireside Chats FDR would insert a false tooth into the gap, so that the microphone would not pick up his whistle. The tooth was kept in a little heart-shaped jewelry box on his bedside table, and FDR invariably forgot it just minutes prior to going on the air, forcing his secretary or a secret service man to race upstairs to retrieve it and bring it down to the microphones. His closest associates could set their watches by this absent-minded habit.

Perhaps the most significant of the Fireside Chats, in terms of impact on domestic and foreign listeners, was delivered during the week of December 23, 1940, when FDR gave what was later termed the Arsenal for speech. In it he explained his Lend-Lease program for aid to Britain, and bluntly declared there was no hope for a negotiated peace with Germany. The speech went through seven drafts, with two speechwriters living in the White House during the preceding week. It was Harry Hopkins who suggested the phrase, Arsenal for Democracy.

On May 27, 1941, FDR used the Fireside Chat as the vehicle to proclaim an “unlimited na- tional emergency.” This enabled him to unilaterally increase the size of the armed forces, and to compel industry to put defense contracts ahead of private work. There would no longer be “business as usual.” This pre-announced Fireside Chat produced the largest radio audience up to that time, some 65 million listeners.

On March 29, 1941, FDR delivered a speech to attendees at the annual Jackson Day Dinner, held at various locations throughout the nation. It was not a Fireside Chat, since it was only heard at designated locations, but it is memorable in that the speech was delivered while FDR was vacationing in Florida aboard the USS Potomac. Broadcasting from the radio room, FDR began the speech by commenting how being on shipboard gave him time to relax and to think about the larger issues of the day, and on this occasion he was contemplating the differences between democracy, that Andrew Jackson fervently believed in, and the dictatorships in Eu- rope and Asia, which posed a threat to the way of life that Americans loved. (Ed’s. note: You can listen to a recording of his speech in the Potomac radio room.)

On February 23, 1942, FDR gave a Fireside Chat about the various areas of battle around the globe. It was announced that listeners should have world maps in front of them. Map stores sold out within hours. An estimated radio audience of 61 million tuned in for the speech, hearing of places never imagined to exist and understanding world-wide war aims for the first time. It proved to be the most ef- fective use of mass media up to then. “I never forget that I live Sources: – in a house owned by the – David M. Kennedy American people and that – Jonathan Alter I have been given their trust.” - FDR

-5- Join us on the USS Potomac Two-hour History Cruises Special Event Cruises 2010

1st and 3rd Thursday - 2nd and 4th Saturday Sunset & City Lights Cruises August 27 May thru October All cruises start at 10:30AM September 24 Admission: $45.00 Adults, $40.00 Seniors October 22 $25.00 Children 6 to 12 Fleet Week October 9 & 10 Groups of 20 or more: $35.00 each Characters on the Bay November 4 Veteran’s Day (2 Cruises) November 11 Three-hour History Cruises Dockside Tours Cruises start at 10:30AM and include a box lunch. Wednesday, Friday & Sunday: 11:00AM to 3:00PM October 23 • Three Bridges of the Bay Admission: $10.00 Adults, $8.00 Seniors September 16 • Islands, Shipyards and Estuary Children under 12 are free August 28 • Historic Ships of the Bay

Admission: $65.00 Adults, $60.00 Seniors Second Annual Fall Music Series September 9 & 22, October 7 & 21 Learn more at Bluegrass & Bach For information or reservations go to www.usspotomac.org or call 510-627-1215

T O M A T O M A O C O C P NEW P

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O O A D NEWS A D K L A N K L A N Click for FDR Click for

The Potomac Association What did the Potomac 540 Water Street Board of Governors and Staff P.O. Box 2064 Oakland, CA 94604 and Amelia Earhart’ s Michael Roosevelt, Chairman Telephone: 510-627-1215 plane have in common? Carla Betts, President www.usspotomac.org Tom Morehouse, 1st Vice President The Potomac Currents is published Art Haskell, CFO by the Association for the Preservation Jean Gaskill, Secretary of the Presidential Yacht, Potomac, Inc. Editor: Virginia Rapp Walter Abernathy, Rick Anderson, Layout and Design: David McGraw They were both named Mary Bergan, Joe Brennan, David Connolly, Editorial Board: Marti Burchell, Ed Bloom, “Electra”at one time. Curtis Davies,Virginia Furth, Rich Knowles, Les Marks, Hank Laney and The Potomac is open for guided dockside tours Judy Goff-Roveda, Al Groh David McGraw Wednesdays. Fridays and Sundays Hal Marsh, James McCloud Electronic Distribution: Karen Lyberger 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM Two-hour HISTORY CRUISES available by reservation. Denny McLeod, Ron Paredes, Jeff Sturm, Webmaster: Tom Howard Kirk Rowlands, Richard Zampa 540 Water Street No part of this publication may be Oakland, CA 94607 Marti Burchell, Executive Director reproduced without the written permission (510) 627-1215 Craig Newton, Ship Keeper of the publisher. www.usspotomac.org

-6- The USS Potomac AssociationFriends acknowledges of the the following Potomac individuals and organizations for their generous donations. SUSTAINING PATRON Kieretsu Forum CORPORATE/PATRON APL Transpacific Trade Jean & Barbara Gaskill Joe Brennan & Jan Tiura Waterfront Plaza Hotel Ken & Carla Betts Dale Hansen Denny & Ruth McLeod Y. H. Soda Foundation COMMANDER IN CHIEF Rick Anderson Dr. Jacob Deegan Arthur Haskell Judy Goff-Roveda* CA Field Iron Workers Admin Willis Deming Tom Howard* Dan Strohl Trust William & Marsha Dillon Kurt Lauridsen John Tuttle Wade Church Virginia Furth Matson Navigation ADMIRAL Richard Zampa – District Council of Ironworkers ELEANOR Mary Bergan Tom & Carol Morehouse John & Clem Underhill Gilbert Williams & Anne Don & Cathy DeCoss Kirk Rowlands Beverly Voelker Bonaparte James & Rebecca Eisen Debra Tharp David Lee Woods & Phyllis D Chambers CAPTAIN Pat & Barbi Carson Olaf Elander Nancy Kickertz James McCloud Ronald Casassa Norman & Edna Eltringham Bill & Mollie Kinney David & Myrna McGraw Art & Ardeth Dreshfeld Pete Geffen Rich Knowles & Merlyn Angeline Papastefan Les & Elaine Dropkin Albert Groth Uhlenberg Stuart & Vallyn Proffitt Martine Habib Jack Lapidos Virginia Rapp FIRST MATE ABC Security Service Dave Connally Marvin Jensen Herbert Ploch Gail & Bruce Adair* Fred Cunningham Carol Johnston Art & Carrell Rankin Carol Anderson Charles & Jacqueline John & Donna Kaehms Joseph & Bonnie Reid Ron & Judy Arrants Del Monte Charley Kearns & Frank Ching Mitch Salzman Bruce Baur Al Dessayer Lawrence Kellogg, Jr. Jon & Fran Siler Gene Bell Lee Ditlefsen Kenneth & Margo Kingsbury Jerry & Lovene Silsdorf Miriam Bloomberg Robert Eakin & Avis Hendley John Klip Elaine Stanley James Bolen Thomas Escher* Neal & Nancy Lambly Ruby Tilley Donald Bonney Arthur Fatum* Daniel Lamey Lee Velde John & Susan Bradley Dorothy & Julie Filice Jack Lapidos Wanda Viviano Roland Brandel Vickie Gregg Lawrence & Emily Lohr Beverly Voelker Brad Bunnin* Bonnie & Earl Hamlin Patricia MacLean Cynthia Weiss Marti Burchell Mavourneen Harshman John McCredie John & Marilyn Welland Windy & Jerry Butler Leroy & Marlene Hintzman Thomas Murray Mary Whitehead Vern & Alice Carrier Capt. Walter Jaffee Jim O’Connor Ruth Ann Yager Ted & Lynda Chenoweth Ramon Aguilar Susan LaMay Susan LaMay* Ann Papastefan Sally Beck & David Brossard Georgia Edlund Sandra Lundgren John Papastefan & family Richard Black Nancy Falk Lucy John William Peeters Ted Brown Elizabeth Hannon Ronald Louis Herbert Ploch Carol Campbell Heinold’s First & Last Chance Arthur Mark* Brenda Price Steven Colman Saloon Robert Matz Harold Rice* Angelique & Yann Howard Herman Brian McDonald Maurice Robichaud Cucaro-Renault Michael Hogan William Memmer Kathy Szumiloski Gus Dorough Esther Jennings Dawn Muller Robert Woodruff Colleen Kelly-Prola Cathy O’Brien STUDENT/TEACHER Tom Bernitt James Flander ADDITIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE EDUCATIONAL FUND Dave Connolly Al Groh Richard Zampa Since January 2010, union organizations throughout the San Fransisco Bay Area have contributed more than $8,000 specifically to support the Educational Cruises. See full list. *Contributor to the Potomac IPO – Ship Shares Program Note: Questions or comments about the above listing may be referred to Gordon Seligson, email: [email protected] or write to the Friends of the Potomac, P.O. Box 2064, Oakland, CA 94604.

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