Franklin D. Roosevelt’s “Floating White House” Oakland, 2011 Summer Edition

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: WHAT’S IN A NAME ? By Paulette Langguth Marti’s Musings By MARTI BURCHELL Just for fun, let’s begin with the name itself. According to the nice people who An unexpected guest is greeted with earn their living researching these things, POTOMAC is either an Algonquin maritime professionalism ...... 3 word for river of swans or the Piscataway word for where the goods are brought in. The has played a significant role in American history so it isn’t Mooring Lines. . . surprising to learn that over the past 200 years there have been six By RAPP naval vessels registered as Potomac. The Potomac – is there an “app” for that? ...... 3 The first Potomac was a U.S. Navy frigate. Laid down in the Washington Navy Yard, she was launched in 1822 with fitting out completed in 1831. This firstPo - Notes from the Archives. . . FDR’s First Armored Car Ride tomac had a very colorful career that included By HANK LANEY, Curator landing troops at Port Isabel, Texas on May 8, History and war can make strange 1846, in support of General Zachary Taylor’s bed fellows...... 4 army (the Battle of Palo Alto) and participat- ing in the siege of Vera Cruz on March 28, Through the Eyes of a Child. . . 1847. She served as flagship for the Home By JENIFER & BRODI TURPIN Squadron from 1855-1856 and, at the start of For children, the Potomac is a the Civil War, left New York for the Gulf Blockading Squadron off Mobile Bay. wonderful adventure. Brodi’s Serving as the stores ship for the Squadron, she remained at Pensacola Navy Yard illustration says it all ...... 5 until decommissioned in 1877. 2011 Cruise & Events Schedule There is something for everyone The second Potomac was an old whaler purchased by the Navy in November of including children. Book your 1861. She was part of the “Stone Fleet,” a group of ships used to block the en- Potomac adventure today ...... 6 trances to confederate harbors, and was sunk for this purpose on January 9, 1862. An article in the June 17, 1816 issue of the Nantucket Gazette tells the story of a Potomac Profiles mutiny by black crewmembers aboard the whaler Potomac. The mutiny brought With this edition, we feature a the issue of black participation, and exploitation, in the whaling industry into the dynamic duo – do you have a open. Mutinies always attracted attention in the press, but the added racial ele- favorite yacht?...... 8 ment turned the mutiny on this Potomac into a national headline. Friends of the Potomac The most important page in this Potomac number three began her career as the Tugboat Wilmot. Built in 1897, edition of Potomac Currents. . . . . 9 she was purchased by the U.S. Navy in 1898 for service in the Spanish-American War. Operating out of East Coast MOST POPULAR LINKS ports following the war, her subse- Visit the Potomac on FaceBook! quent career included being sent in Events and Cruises 1914 to rescue vessels icebound off Student Tours Newfoundland. Although iced in Private Charters and abandoned in February she was Become a Friend of the Potomac salvaged and returned to the New York Navy Yard in June. The Tug was home ported at Santo Domingo Continued on page 2 What’s in a Name ? from page 1 in 1920. Returning to Norfolk, Virginia in 1922, she was de- Our sixth Potomac was laid down as SS Shenandoah in commissioned and struck from the Naval Vessel Register on 1964 and launched October 10, 1964. She was built us- July 31. ing the 200-foot salvaged stern section of the Oiler, USNS Potomac. She was the first ship equipped with an offshore Fourth in line was the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Electra. petroleum discharge system (OPDS), allowing her to sup- Completed in 1934, the ship was selected by the Navy in ply petroleum products to forces, pumping it directly to 1935 for service as the presidential yacht. Commissioned the their shore locations rather than by port delivery. Shenan- USS Potomac in March 1936, she served President Roos- doah operated with a civilian crew until the Military Sealift evelt from 1936 until his death in April, 1945. In addition Command purchased her in 1976. The Navy then renamed to recreational cruising, the USS Potomac was used in Au- her USNS Potomac changing her classification to transport gust, 1941 to secretly transport FDR to the USS Augusta, a oiler in 1978. In 1990, USNS Potomac, operated by Bay heavy cruiser, that took him to Newfoundland for a confer- Ship Management, owned by the Maritime Administration, ence with Prime Minister during which a and under charter to the Navy, was transferred to the Mari- vision of the post war world was formulated. In addition, the time Prepositioning Force (MFP) and spent more than ten USS Potomac carried the President to board the battleship years stationed at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. During USS Iowa for travel to the Tehran Conference. See complete this period she participated in sorties, exercises, and train- history>>> ing activities, assisted in a humanitarian food relief effort for Rwanda, assisted forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and USNS Potomac, the fifth U.S. Navy ship to bear the name, earned the U.S. Navy’s “E” (for excellence) ship award dur- was an Oiler. Laid down in 1955 and launched in October ing convoy exercises in the Indian Ocean. In 2006, she was 1956, she entered non-commissioned service under the con- downrated from the Ready Reserve Force and placed in the trol of the Military Sea Transport Service (MSTS) with a pri- National Defense Reserve Fleet. marily civilian crew in Janu- ary 1957. In 1961, she was damaged severely by fire and a series of explosions while alongside the Aviation Fuels Terminal Pier at More- head City, . Two men were killed in the explosions and the forward part of the ship was declared a total loss. A disastrous wa- terfront fire was avoided by the prompt heroic action of Potomac crewmembers, U.S. Each of the six ships had a story to tell and all played an Coast Guard personnel, and U.S. Marines, who prevented important role in American history. We feel very fortunate to the fire from igniting large fuel storage tanks adjacent to the have Potomac number four (FDR’s “Floating Whitehouse”) pier. The 200-foot stern section of the ship was cut away and beautifully restored and awaiting your visit in Oakland’s towed for salvage. .

Trivia Question August 13, 2011 marks the 70th Anniversary of the . Who signed it?

Answer: No one. The so-called Atlantic Charter was just a series of press releases expressing the general goals of Great Britain and the United States. Their origin -- a meeting of President Roosevelt and Prime Minister Winston Churchill, their first, in August of 1941 in Newfoundland. Read more >>>

-2- MARTI’S MUSINGS…an unexpected guest and excellent maritime professionalism

It was a beautiful summer evening on Bay; clear skies, calm waters and a ship- load of happy folks. Then comes the cry… “Man in the water.” Our well-trained and skilled crew and docents were in action immediately.

The man in the water was a very cold fellow named Adam whose kite surfing board’s lines had broken leaving him stranded. He had been waiting for help nearly 45 minutes in an area of the bay seldom traveled by regular ferries and fishing boats. It was very fortunate that one of the Potomac’s crew spotted him as we were heading toward the Golden Gate Bridge at sunset.

The Captain pulled the Potomac along side Adam and his board, and our crew had him on the deck in less than six minutes. After a brisk rubdown with towels from the President’s bath- room, we wrapped him in a heavy terry robe and blanket. One of the crew lent him a pair of heavy wool socks.

Dry and warm, and with a cup of hot tea, Adam was well on his way to recovery from the cold. Our on-board Emergency Medical Technician checked him over and determined he was in no danger. Adam indicated he felt fine and could continue with us to the scheduled end of our Charter event rather than be returned immediately to shore.

The Potomac crew is the very best on the Bay, no doubt in my mind. I am extremely proud of each of them for their quick response to a life-threatening situation. Our caring docents made certain that our unexpected guest stayed warm, comfort- able, and was in good shape when his worried wife met him at Pier 40.

Congratulations to the Potomac crew and docents for their professionalism. You guys ROCK!!

MOORING LINES . . . The USS Potomac – is there an “app” for that?

Well, not quite yet, but thanks to a small group of volunteers versed in all things tech, we have some new ways for you to keep up with the USS Potomac.

We now have a QR Code (abbreviated from Quick Response), that barcode box that seems to be everywhere in print media allowing you to access a website just by scanning it with your Smartphone. You will soon see it in our flyers, event announcements, and other relevant print materials. With the QR, your Smartphone is just a click away from our website. Give it a try right now…

This same group is managing the new USS Potomac Official Site on Facebook. If you are on Facebook, and enjoy following postings, add your comments, photos, even videos and start contributing now. Just go to Facebook and “like” us.

As for that “app” for the Potomac – we may be working on one sooner than we think. Virginia Rapp, Editor FDR Quote

Here is my principle: Taxes shall be levied according to ability to pay. That is the only American principle. Franklin D. Roosevelt

-3- FROM THE ARCHIVES.....

By Hank Laney, Curator

FDR’s First Armored Car Ride

Franklin Roosevelt was the first president to use an armored car, and the law prohibited any elected federal official, in- car and with this, we have the odd story of Al Capone’s con- cluding the President, from purchasing a car that cost more nection to the President – one where history and war make than $750. strange bedfellows. A possible solution arose when someone in the Secret Ser- Al Capone (1899-1947) was the most vice remembered the seizure of Capone’s car and attempted infamous Chicago gangster during the to locate it. It was found in storage at a garage run by the prohibition era, often richly character- Treasury Department. Given the events of the past day, Trea- ized in movies, books, and magazines. sury immediately granted permission for the use of the car. He controlled his notorious crime However, the car had not been used since it was seized in syndicate through violence, intimida- 1932, some nine years earlier. Although it met the require- tion, and murder. He also needed pro- ments of the Secret Service, one question remained. Could tection, the armored kind. Capone is they get it running in time for the President’s trip from the credited with designing and owning White House to Congress and back? one the first bulletproof cars. In 1928, he went to a local Chicago Cadillac dealership and persuaded them to build In what must have been frenzied effort, a pool of federal the first bulletproof i.e. armored car to protect its occupants. mechanics was rounded up to work on the car throughout Capone supplied the design specifications himself. The car the night with the Secret Service at their side. They got the they chose was a new 1928 Cadillac Town Sedan, but heav- car running, cleaned it up, and checked everything to be sure ily modified. it would keep the President safe from harm. The old Cadil- lac ran just fine and provided the necessary protection for When finished, the car itself weighed a staggering 9000 the President’s short journey to Congress for his historic ad- pounds; 3000 pounds accounted for the steel plate under the dress. This was the first time a U.S. president had traveled bodywork. Also added was one inch-thick glass, recently in an armored car, let alone one that once belonged to an developed, for the windows and windshield. Other modifi- infamous gangster. cations included flashing red lights behind the grill and a police siren. It is also believed to have been equipped with a FDR had a funny response when someone asked him where police radio. The car was painted green with black fenders; his new car had come from. He replied, “I hope Mr. Ca- colors identical to those of the Chicago Police Department pone won’t mind,” as he had more important things to worry and higher-ranking city officials. about on December 8, 1941. The President used Capone’s car until 1942, when the Ford Motor Company armored a After years of evading State and federal legal authorities, 1939 Lincoln convertible. FDR called it the Sunshine Spe- Capone was finally arrested for tax evasion, of all things, in cial. As for the spending limit – it was easily handled with a 1931. By 1932, the U.S. Treasury Department had confis- lease agreement from Ford costing $500 a year. The car now cated all of his assets including the armored car. In 1934, he resides in the Ford Museum. was sent to Alcatraz Island Federal Penitentiary.

On Monday December 8, 1941, the day after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, President Roosevelt was scheduled to address a joint session of Congress requesting that they declare a state of war with Japan. He would travel to the Capitol building, as he always did, by car. By late evening, Decmber 7, the Secret Service decided a bulletproof car would be required to protect the President from possible as- sassins who might be sympathetic to Japan or Germany. The need was immediate, but there was no time to build such a

-4- THE POTOMAC THROUGH THE EYES OF A CHILD…

At seven years old, Brodi Turpin is a big fan of the Potomac. Her favorite cruise is Opening Day with Characters of the Bay. She has done it twice. Her mother, Jenifer, sent us a message shortly after the cruise (along with photos and illustration by Brodi shown here). Here’s an excerpt: “This adventure on Opening Day is always enjoyed by my daughter. The people that she met have taught her a lot about the history of Northern California.” “Whenever we go to San Francisco she tells us all about Coit Tower and Mrs. Coit. We also enjoy Emperor Norton’s story, a lesson for me as well. I did not grow up in this area and did not know that he made his own money. I am amazed that more children do not attend this wonderful day out on the USS Potomac. It is a wonderful way to learn all about the history of this area.” “Next year, Brodi wants to be a character as well. We just need to think of the perfect famous young girl for her to become for a day! It would be another great learning adventure for her.”

Note from the editor: We are pleased to report that Brodi will be joining the Potomac Characters next November as “Little Lotta Crabtree.” I suspect she will be a showstopper. You might want to make your reservations now.

-5- CRUISES & EVENTS 2011 History Cruises Special History Cruises

1st and 3rd Thursday Immigration Station Cruise (Angel Island) 2nd and 4th Saturday Sept. 28, Oct. 26 9:45AM to 3:00PM May thru October Fleet Week Practice October 7 10:30AM ~ 12:30PM Fleet Week October 8 & 9 $45.00 Adults, $40.00 Seniors Characters on the Bay November 3 $25.00 Under 12 Veteran’s Day (2 Cruises) November 11 Groups of 20 or more: $35.00 each * Prices may vary, please call for information. Dockside Tours

Wednesday, Friday & Sunday Blue Grass and Bach is Back Year Round ~ 11:00AM to 3:00PM $10.00 Adults, $8.00 Seniors The award-winning group High Country returns to the Potomac on August 26. Potomac discount offer... RVSQ String Quartet on September 14 – Kathy Kallick Band on November 10. Check it out. Watch our website Event Page for more information. Or find us on Facebook

For information or reservations go to www.usspotomac.org or call 510-627-1215

The Potomac Association Board of Governors and Staff 540 Water Street P.O. Box 2064 Oakland, CA 94604 Michael Roosevelt, Chairman Telephone: 510-627-1215 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 Mary Bergan, Joe Brennan, Editorial Board: Marti Burchell, Ed Bloom, David Connolly, Virginia Furth, Rich Knowles, Les Marks, Hank Laney, Judy Goff-Roveda, Al Groh, Brad Bunnin and David McGraw Tom Howard, Dale Hansen, Electronic Distribution: Karen Lyberger James McCloud, Denny McLeod, Webmaster: Tom Howard Ron Paredes, Kirk Rowlands, Richard Zampa No part of this publication may be Franklin and Winston aboard Marti Burchell, Executive Director reproduced without the written permission HMS Prince of Wales, August1941. of the publisher. Craig Newton, Ship Keeper

-6- Charter Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Presidential Yacht USS Potomac Weddings • Special Events • Celebrations

Potomac Association Call 510-627-1215 ~ www.usspotomac.org

-7- POTOMAC PROFILES

DAVID & MYRNA MCGRAW

HOME: Alameda, CA AGE: Old enough PROFESSION: Retired HOBBIES: David/Computer graphics, Myrna/Piano, Reading. MOST MEMORABLE BOOK: Myrna/Atlas Shrugged David/Don Quixote LATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT: Survived a move after 40 years in one place. Want to sail in Presidential style? QUOTE: “Don’t strive for mediocrity” PROFILE: David and Myrna are the “never say no type” folks that For cruises, events, and charters, go to: every volunteer organization treasures. www.usspotomac.org David contributes countless hours and resources to the Association providing first rate Potomac signage and brochures and he is the layout editor for the Potomac Currents. Myrna literally rescued our Student Cruise program after we lost the program’s funding in 2002. The program thrives each year with teachers waiting in line anxious to bring their students onboard. David and Myrna never stop or slow down even in the most trying of times. Two fabulous individuals -- an inspiration to all who have the good fortune to know them. YACHT: The Presidential Yacht USS Potomac

-8- Friends of the Potomac

The USS Potomac Association acknowledges the following individuals and organizations for their generous donations.

SUSTAINING PATRON

Dale Hansen* Waterfront Plaza Hotel

CORPORATE/PATRON

Ken & Carla Betts Jean & Barbara Gaskill Matson Navigation Y. H. Soda Foundation Joe Brennan & Jan Tiura Stanley Jacobsen & Denny & Ruth McLeod Emmy Werner COMMANDER IN CHIEF

Walter Abernathy Willis Deming Hugh James Judy Goff-Roveda Rick Anderson William & Marsha Dillon Les Marks Dan Strohl CA Field Iron Workers Ad- Virginia Furth David & Myrna McGraw John Tuttle & min Trust Arthur Haskell Kurt Lauridsen Doug Drummond Dr Jacob Deegan Tom Howard Michael Roosevelt

ADMIRAL

John & Clem Underhill Gilbert Williams & Anne Bonaparte Richard Zampa – District Council of Ironworkers ELEANOR Mary Bergan Don & Cathy DeCoss Tom & Carol Morehouse David Lee Woods & Charles Norman Phyllis D Chambers CAPTAIN Linda Brewer Robert Eakin & John & Donna Kaehms Jim O’Connor Miriam Bloomberg Avis Hendley Bill & Mollie Kinney Angeline Papastefan Brad Bunnin Nancy Elbeck Rich Knowles & Stuart & Vallyn Proffitt Pat & Barbi Carson Norman & Edna Eltringham Merlyn Uhlenberg Virginia Rapp Ronald Casassa Pete Geffen Jack Lapidos Gordon Seligson Dave Connolly Albert Groth Thomas Murray Deborah Tharp Art & Ardeth Dreshfeld Martine Habib Capt Joanna Newman John & Marilyn Welland Les Dropkin Gene Zahas FIRST MATE ABC Security Service Rachel Buckley Heinold’s First and Last Roberta & Tim Montgomery Gail & Bruce Adair Marti Burchell Chance Saloon Art & Carrell Rankin Glenn Aitkens Windy & Jerry Butler Leroy & Marlene Hintzman Joseph & Bonnie Reid Carol Anderson Vern & Alice Carrier Capt Walter Jaffee Harold Rice Ron & Judy Arrants Fred Cunningham Marvin Jensen Mitch Salzman John & Suzanne Barr Lee Ditlefsen Carol Johnston Jerry & Lovene Silsdorf Bruce Baur Georgia Edlund Charley Kearns & Ruby Tilley Gene Bell Olaf Elander Frank Ching John & Nancy Turnier Richard Black Arthur Fatum Nancy Kickertz Lee Velde James Bolen Glenn Frizzell Neal & Nancy Lambly Wanda Viviano Donald & Sharon Bonney Trevor Hall Patricia MacLean Beverly Voelker John & Susan Bradley Bonnie & Earl Hamlin Robert Matz Cynthia Weiss Roland Brandel Mavourneen Harshman John McCredie Mary Whitehead Ruth Ann Yager Continued on page 10 -9- Continued from page 9 Friends of the Potomac

FALA

Ramon Aguilar James Elander Colleen Kelly-Prola William Peeters Marianne Burkhead Richard Hammer Paul Koehn Herbert Ploch Carol Campbell Elizabeth Hannon Lawrence & Emily Lohr Brenda Price Ted & Lynda Chenoweth Howard Herman Ronald Louis Maurice Robichaud Angelique & Bill Hodges & Ken Horton Sandra Lundgren Elaine Stanley Yann Cucaro-Renault Esther Jennings William Memmer Kathy Szumiloski Al Dessayer Lucy John Dawn Muller John Tysell Gus Dorough Cathy O’Brien Robert Woodruff

STUDENT/TEACHER

Mike Gregory Harvey Smith

ADDITIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE EDUCATIONAL FUND

Al Groh Ironworkers Local 229 Office & Professional Council Amalgamated Transit Union San Diego Employees Local 3 Sheet Metal Workers Local Local 1555 Oakland Ironworkers Local 377 San Francisco 104 San Ramon Carpenters Local 2236 San Francisco Operating Engineers Local 3 Sheet Metal Workers Local Oakland Ironworkers Local 378 Alameda 162 Sacramento Cement Masons Local 400 Benicia Pipe Trades Local 36 SIEU Local 1021 Oakland Sacramento International Brotherhood of Plumbers, Pipe and Teamsters Local 853 CWA Local 9415 Oakland Electrical Workers Refrigeration Fitters UALA San Leandro Dave Connolly Local 332 San Jose 246 Fresno Union of American District Council of Iron Laborers International Plumbers & Steamfitters Physicians & Dentists Workers Pinole Union Local 270 San Jose Local 403 San Luis Obispo Oakland Ironworkers Local 155 Northern California District San Francisco Maritime Richard Zampa Fresno Council of Laborers Pleasanton

Since January 2010, union organizations throughout the San Fransisco Bay Area have contributed more than $8,000 specifically to support the Educational Cruises.

*Contributor to the Ships Share 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. ✮✮✮✮✮

-10-