The US President's Official Yachts: A Terrible End

Help me make more videos by supporting me on Patreon here: / sidenote
Between 1880 and 1977, the presidency of the US came with its own yacht which was primarily meant for leisure and taking some time off the claustrophobic tensions of the White House.
Presidents used them for entertaining guests, building relationships, and cracking sensitive deals away from media scrutiny.
These vessels hosted legendary world leaders, witnessed some of the most iconic moments of American history, created several scandals along the way - before they were abruptly decommissioned, sold off to private owners, got caught up in legal battles, and then left abandoned to die a slow death.
This video is about America’s Presidential Yachts and their rather sad demise from the American presidency.
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Check out the channel of my narrator, Alec Belmore: / @historyandintrigue
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Select images of Sequoia courtesy of Eugene Kaspersky:
www.flickr.com/photos/e_kaspe...
Select footage countesy of CBS Evening News
USS Potomac Trip footage: • USS Potomac F.D.R.'s "...
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Produced, Written and Edited by: SideNote
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Music by Tom Fox
Written, Edited and Directed by SideNote
Peace.

[@SidenoteChannel]

I’m very sorry for not being able to upload anything for so long. 2021 was undoubtedly the worst year of my life. I suffered from a series of ilnesses (both physical and mental) that didn’t allow me to focus on anything. My life was basically stalled for most part of the last year. I’m restarting making videos from scratch, knowing that I’ve lost most of my channel’s traffic. I’ll try to make better video and hopefully people will come along. Scripting of the next video is done, and I’ll try to upload it as soon as possible. Thanks for being here.

[@suhandatanker]

Don't worry, we'll wait and we'll always be with you as loyal fan's, take as many breaks as you wish, we're still your subscribers :D

[@danieltan8107]

I’m still here!

[@thecooldude4371]

I am so sorry

[@TheWorldReactsYT]

Welcome Back 🎉🎉🎉

[@danriddick914]

Hope you're back on your feet! The quality of your content will bring the viewers who sadly didn't turn on notifications. Of course those of us with notifications are just glad to see you back! :)

[@jasonchen9645]

The presidents used yachts, but they actually lived modestly compared to today; the amount of security, jets, etc. far exceeds the cost spent back then, even adjusted for inflation.

[@MostlyPennyCat]

And let's face it, today they would just choose the standard giant white plastic mega yacht.

[@kommandantgalileo]

@@MostlyPennyCat you mean the old presidents or new ones

[@MostlyPennyCat]

@@kommandantgalileo New.

[@kommandantgalileo]

@@MostlyPennyCat great point!

[@lennyjay8390]

@@MostlyPennyCat Hmm, I think, if the Sequoia had survived it would still be the president's yacht today. But outside of tradition there really is no need for a presidential yacht. Just imagine the optics of a US President aboard a super yacht, looking exactly like a Russian oligarch.

[@Jonathan.D]

Most people don't realize how much work goes into maintaining a vessel. The required maintenance is more than double if it's wood. My father has restored and repaired many wood boats at the marina. It requires many specialists who know how to work with wood. Maintaining a wooden boat 75ft and over requires permanent staff who work from stern to the bow. When finished they start all over again. The guy who founded Dollar rent a car had several large yachts that he lived on. My father was hired to oversee some of the maintenance of two that were kept in Florida. These wood boats looked beautiful but the guy was too cheap to do all the maintenance required. The biggest issue was the planking had not been re-fastened since they were built. When the guy got too old and they were sold and the new owner sent a captain to skipper the boat to its new home. My father warned him that the planking was only being held together by the paint. He didn't listen and when he hit the first waves at the inlet several planks dislodged and it almost sank. When they were forced to repair it they realized that my father was correct and that the guy paid to inspect it before purchase had lied. Due to decades of electrolysis, the heads of all the screws below the waterline had dissolved. The planks only stayed together because it was swollen from being in the water and because of the bottom paint.

[@scottielover5415]

I grew up on Lake Hopatcong, NJ many, many years ago. The favorite boat on the lake was a wooden Chris Craft. A truly beautiful, expensive boat, an envy of any boat owner. In 2022, it's still the same, but due to the (beautiful) wood it costs $$$ to maintain it. Have to say, it's a head turner when a Chris Craft shows up.

[@Jonathan.D]

@@scottielover5415 It's funny you mentioned a Chris Craft. We had a 45' Chris Craft Corsair. Every winter it was my brother and I who had the job of refinishing all the teak and mahogany. It took two months of mornings and afternoons to get it all finished. Sadly, when my father got tired of all the upkeep he sold it. The guy who bought it set it on fire for an insurance scheme. All those years of hard work. Summer vacations out on the island with it. Gone because of some guy's greed.

[@possum8723]

@@Jonathan.D Growing up in Arkansas in the eighties, my friend's dad had a Chris Craft ski boat. The copper paint is illegal to make now. That boat made you feel special cruising on the lake. Straight out of a Bond film. I'm sad that guy burned your boat. What a loss.

[@scottielover5415]

@@Jonathan.D OMG! While I was reading your post, it was like someone punched me in the chest! Set that beautiful work of art on fire!!! I hope the hell he went to jail!

[@dennisthomas6782]

What a powerful story you have to share ! Thank you .

[@butchie2752]

I had the pleasure of having a cruise and dinner on the Sequia during the Nixon administration. I was in college and my dad was a long time friend of Secretary of Defense Laird. One of the cool things was that the Boatswain would whistle the Secretary aboard since it was a navy boat. Very cool.

[@waynewilliams8554]

My fathers first tour of duty during WWII on this vessel 18 years of age, but transferred to the Pacific Fleet almost immediately. Armed with a 50 Cal. gun on the foredeck. He would have been 98 this year. My Hero, Melvin "Art" Williams!!

[@Kelly-jc3jc]

I worked on the Stockton waterfront when the Potomac was being restored. I left before it was completed, but watched it's progress early on in the restoration. Glad to see it still being shared.

[@Pax.YouTube]

I'm glad that you're better now and up and running again. Great video, I'm sure you'll get (and even surpass) your traffic soon.

[@dm5374]

Welcome back! I used to see the Williamsburg tied up in the port of La Spezia during sailing trips, rusting away, then she finally disappeared. Now I know her fate. Thank you for this video!

[@SidenoteChannel]

Thanks for watching!

[@milohdd]

Interesting that of all the Yachts, Potomac is really the only one with a happy ending - though given what you said about the Sequoia, that ship may still have a bright future too

[@lawrencelewis2592]

I used to see the Williamsburg tied up near downtown Norfolk, VA when I was in the Navy in the 1970s. it was in use as a research vessel, as I recall.

[@pjruh3521]

The Williamsburg was renamed RV Anton Bruun and operated by Woodshole Oceanographic

[@mukhtar__]

excellent production quality as usual. glad you're back! we will always have ur back, dude. hope you're doing better now. can't wait to watch more of your awesome videos! love from Egypt

[@changeshifter4852]

Happy to see you are well enough again to be back. I have had lost years due to illness too and know what an accomplishment it is to even want to get back to it, whatever one's 'it' happens to be. I enjoyed seeing the new video from you today. May you continue to stay well and have a much better year ahead.

[@franniehillmanfh]

President Kennedy used the Honey Fitz. It was the Kennedy's Family Yacht.

[@uprebel5150]

I went to a dock side party on the USS Sequoia in the mid-80s on Hilton Head Island.

[@56Spookdog]

The part of the Potomac you missed, while the yacht was docked in San Francisco it was raided and seized by Narcotic Agents of the Califronia Department of Justice because it was still being used as a drug boat. In part that helped save it from the scrap yard it was in sad shape and in danger of sinking. My father lead the raid.

[@SpartanHighKing14]

Welcome back! Its good to hear that you're doing better now. We look forward to what you have in stall for us.

[@Enfield-1853]

My wife's grandfather served on the Sequoia from 1933 until 1941. Her grandfather collected some memorabilia during his time on board. He also served on the Williamsburg. He joined the Navy in 26 and served until 46.

[@Cris-em9tn]

That's awesome! My great grandfather served in WWII and had some items of his own. He passed right before my 1st birthday in 1991, but my great grandmother kept them to show, and my grandma has them now. Are they still in the family? My great grandfather's items aren't super important to anyone but him and the rest of the family, so we've never donated them to a museum or anything. But from the Sequoia? Most definitely important items. Do you mind saying what he had? If you aren't sure or don't want to say, understandable. Also understandable if I don't get a response from your 4 month old comment. Just that's so cool to have something so rare.

[@richardpatton2502]

It completely changed my view on the expression “my ancestors came on the Mayflower”….

[@moshoodbakare1210]

I love your videos and literally searched for your channel as I do every now and then. It's nice having you back.

[@thegunslinger1363]

Great to see you again!

[@Rye_Smile]

SO GLAD YOU'RE BACK!!

[@emthegem8141]

Great to see you back!! So sorry to hear how rough a year you just had :( Heres to a better one :)

[@richardh4406]

the Potomac was a former US Coast Guard 165' cutter. The original name was Electra. It was launched in 1934 and still exists in Oakland, Ca

[@chengyiq3066]

Welcome back! Glad to see you on my subscription feed!

[@TheOriginalRick]

My wife's uncle and Godfather was a Filipino serving in the US Navy in World War II. As with all other Filipinos during that time, he was only allowed to be a steward, which was basically a personal servant to the officers class. Much of the White House staff for many decades was staffed by these Filipino stewards. During the war, as a senior steward, he served aboard the presidential yacht on the East Coast. He had many stories such as cutting President Roosevelt's hair while he was in discussions with Churchill about how the war was going. Because the stewards were considered similar to furniture, he overheard more Ultra super duper top secret information then virtually all the generals and admirals fighting the battles.

[@ljphoenix4341]

This was a really interesting video, learnt a bunch of stuff that I never knew about at all. Welcome back, SideNote!

[@stephenwood5187]

I’m very disappointed you didn’t mention President Dwight Eisenhower, who I used to see on the vessel Sequoia In Newport. He and his wife loved the boat and like to relax on it. I had a nice conversation with him after the harbormaster yelled at me. He was furious at him and waved him off and all I was doing was telling him how much I liked his boat. I wanted to show him my boat too which he liked. At the time I was only 6 years old and didn’t care he was president I just liked talking with the nice man and he me. I shall always remember the good deed he did for me. Could you please edit the film And add him too! Thanks

[@dj-ph8mw]

In June, 1985, at the grand opening of Harbour Island in Tampa, I was admiring the El Presidente moored next to the walkway. Suddenly a group of men stepped off and formed a half circle around my wife and I. The Gerald Ford walked off the gangway. Instead of being separated, we were actually ushered down the sidewalk with President Ford. I had a chance to speak with him briefly and talk about his visit to Tampa as the guest speaker at the opening event. He was very nice; easy to talk to. I had no idea he was on the yacht. I was just admiring the fantastic wood work.

[@philosoraptor777]

5:08 How they got rid of documents back then, as opposed to trying to flush them down the oval office toilet.

[@MrCROCKETA]

I thought I was the only one that saw that

[@montebrown9528]

Yeah I saw that. Couldn't believe it! 😂

[@Vault57]

5:12 FDR: "I say old girl. Is anyone looking Eleanor?" Eleanor: "No dear, feel free to litter at your leisure." FDR: "No harm love. Merely dispatching a note to those dreadful Republicans!"

[@austinrodriguez8652]

Great to have you back after a whole year.

[@vincente9456]

This was such an informative video. My grandfather served under presidents Woodrow Wilson and Calvin Coolidge while in the U.S. Navy aboard the Mayflower

[@dr.floridaman4805]

Wow, your family had a chance to destroy the federal reserve before it started.

[@mikeg.5233]

😂😂😂😂

[@timothybelgard-wiley4823]

...welcome back, I hope you are well, its sad that such a beautiful boat has been left to rot in some unknown backwater...thanks for an interesting and informative video, I will subscribe for sure, its been a hard couple years for all of us, I'm glad to hear you are feeling better, I have days when I just cry...take care all....

[@jamesstuart3346]

Great vid!!! Thanks for posting it

[@miguelinileugim]

You're back! Woo!

[@LMays-cu2hp]

Thank you for sharing.

[@patrik5123]

Glad you're back

[@shouravsts]

Glad you are back

[@hansverbeek7493]

These ships aren’t “boats” as frequently referred to. A ship is generally a vessel built for ocean going,cargo and passenger carrying purposes. Boats are for coastal use and usually smaller and less than 500 tons.

[@Lordpizzacat]

We missed you! 🥺

[@SteveH-TN]

Thanks for sharing

[@cazgreg1]

Glad you are doing better now. I can understand about 2021 being a hard year. I myself went through a lot of mental stuff that year. I know both the presidential train and yacht are both antiquated but it is still a piece of the past one could miss. I know I miss the president arriving in Washington by train. Waving from that observation car as he passed by certain stations.

[@lisawinningham1914]

This was fascinating!

[@rayyanarviandri140]

Glad you back man

[@jeebus6263]

Thanks for covering these icons

[@thecooldude4371]

Welcome back

[@kirkcasey]

I worked on the Potomac several times with a catering company..... Lot's of great feelings there roaming around and checking it all out! We went just outside the Golden Gate. Very ruff, big swells, ect. Big fun!

[@SidenoteChannel]

Thanks for commenting!

[@Meowface.]

“Until it was broken up” Ugh! I was not ready for that heartbreak

[@djquinn11]

JFK doing some offshore drilling with Marilyn Monroe…

[@brocks1564]

While I understand wanting to cut expenses it's quite sad seeing important historical ships rot away

[@stellviahohenheim]

Who cares, the past isn't as glorious as you imagined it would be

[@lellopesce]

@@stellviahohenheim Yes, the past is not glorious, as you say, but then following what you said, we can chuck the Mona Lisa in a garbage fill, right? After all, its part of an inglorious past, Right? There is a saying in my Old Country, the past always repeats itself. And that is because idiot people dismiss what happened in the past. I guess you are one of those .......

[@sharonbraselton4302]

¹⁹8⁰ it ewß goiréis time

[@stefthorman8548]

@@stellviahohenheim the past isn't as bad as you think it was.

[@superbmediacontentcreator]

This was a lovely and so sad a video... thank you

[@frankpriolo7735]

I remember seeing the Sequoia at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard mothball fleet when I was stationed there in 1967-68.

[@dsavkay]

You are one of my favourite channels!! Very interesting and novel topic each time and excellent research and delivery.

[@roberttrout3588]

I saw it! Was 1984? Must have been on its sailing to Palm Beach. I was in Fernandina Beach Fl, it was moored at the dock, a friend of mine called me so we could take a look dockside. Was a small yacht yet truly majestic, and beautiful, so glad I took the time to see it up close😎🙏👍

[@marvwatkins7029]

I visited the Sequoia when it was it Navy Pier in Chicago. I do remember that big dining table.

[@Ralphie_Boy]

*Thank you!* ⚓

[@henrykieninger]

Rad video!!! Keep it up!

[@nephi5059]

Hi . Never been to you channel its nice. I like hearing, seeing videos on older 1950s and 60s, 70s cars, especially Chrysler. I enjoy watching historic videos of PAN AMERICAN Airways from beginning flying boats, thru 50s to unfortunate end in 90s. I'm so sorry about your life in recent past guy. It sounds like mine. I'm still suffering emotionally but getting better. Life is tough. seems to get harder with each passing day... opposite of we thought. Nice to hear you're getting better. Turn back Time (Agua)

[@benjaminromberg2091]

These yachts should have been housed in the Smithsonian museum as soon as they were decommissioned, it’s a shame these boats went into disrepair and sold to private citizens who had no idea the significant history that came with them, now all we have left are pictures!

[@mmmhmmm8236]

He's back!!!!!

[@aaronerskine3401]

great presentation

[@avioncamper]

The yacht was a tourist attraction at Myrtle Beach SC for a time. I've been on it.

[@olmoe1167]

Not sure about it being in Myrtle Beach,, But I visited it back in the ‘80’s at a marina in North Myrtle Beach S. Carolina and she was in nice shape....interesting history behind all her presidents served...

[@waynehogue2499]

Very interesting, great job with the history lesson!

[@jonathandevries2828]

Thanks!

[@romeowhiskey1146]

Had drinks aboard SEQUOIA as a Guest of ABC during Super Bowl XV in Tampa Now appreciate the vessel.

[@MarkShinnick]

Before the Swamp made them Kings, costs to the public were far lower.

[@hoytoy100]

Gives me a great appreciation of how quickly ships deteriorate into junk. Does not look like a wise investment. Funny how a former Navy man gave up the last yacht.

[@gorillaau]

A boat is a hole in the water that your throw money into. Boat: Bring on Another Thousand Sea Water is the worst. It gets into wood to make it rot. It creates electrolysis amongst metals, especially dissimilar. If outside in the sun, UV damage can be a problem also.

[@Robinsekto]

Honey wake up a new SideNote video just dropped

[@ATIMELINEOFAVIATION]

UR BACK!!

[@beverlydiltz2604]

I'm glad you brought this up. From 2016 to 2020 more money was spent more then ever before in government.

[@99somerville]

Even worst the last three years, if that is possible.

[@MZachary21]

Commenting for the algorithm. Best of luck friend

[@StevenTorrey]

Both the Sequoia & the Potomac are fairly modest as yachts. Most Presidents come from relatively modest means. Only a handful would be regarded as millionaires, so the modest Presidents would regard a Yacht as ostentatious, not really representative of their modest means. But for a job of 24/7 intensity, any recreation available to the President should be allowed.

[@WJWeber]

This is so false.

[@sharonbraselton4302]

trúth cgef would ove0 it

[@DesertSkies120]

Note at time stamp 5:17, Roosevelt is cutting newspaper clippings and nonchalantly tosses a remainder overboard. Common practice up to the 1960s, almost unthinkable today in the IS.

[@Treblaine]

The past is a strange time, people just didn't understand littering.

[@richardmorton4259]

Not so fast. On US Navy ships, they throw the kitchen garbage overboard after every meal is cleaned up. All food scraps and other biodegradables are put into large brown paper bags thrown into the ocean or sea. Did a few myself. Basically just feeding the fish and other micro sea critters.

[@curtiskretzer8898]

Why Nèw York & North East 🇺🇲look the way it ďoes;Yankees good 4 that

[@ralphsmith242]

Camp David performs their role today.

[@jamesnicolson703]

The Williamsburg actually was docked in Washington DC, on the Anacostia River, before it made the journey to Italy. I know as my company was hired in the early nineties to paint the exterior of the hull for a photo op before it left for Venice aboard a drydock ship. I have photos from when we did the painting and I have a drink coaster from when it served as a restaurant.

[@pjruh3521]

Could you share the photos? I work for the science institute that had position of her. She was called the Anton Bruun at that time.

[@Bingbing611]

I boarded her one night

[@StevenTorrey]

@;41 the correct spelling of YACHT!

[@CreatingAlong]

5:15 just tosses his trash overboard, ah the good old days when the ocean was an infinite trash can.

[@Brick-Life]

Wow a new video after the last one in OCt 2020!

[@chrissmoot7038]

Very interesting!

[@saadamansayyed]

Glad you're good now, loving seeing you once again!

[@jacksonrileyjones]

I was fortunate to view the Sequoia when it visited Charleston, SC....I was not able to go onboard but was able to walk up to it and admire it from the deck where it was moored. I believe the year was 1987 or 1988.

[@notfakenewsofpa386]

I sailed on the Sequoia a few times. A grand vessel.

[@Astinsan]

Cool video! Boats are obsolete, slow and hard to secure. That’s why they don’t do it anymore. I think the sequoia was on the whitehouse Christmas ornament. The steam train was and the pullman car. Nobody knows what happened to the steam engine but the pullman car is in the secret section of grand central terminal. Was on the history channel.

[@LathropLdST]

Obsolete... Slow... Hard to secure... **Russian oligarch enters the chat**

[@aryanbhuta3382]

@@LathropLdST Well, if you want to spend every hour running away from authorities, then that's a viable strategy. If you want to do something else with your life, then you can't run forever.

[@reneeparker7475]

With the advent of air travel, the presidential yacht became superfluous. A few years back, even the Brits gave up on the idea of a royal yacht. Times change.

[@martinjenkins6467]

The Queen was so upset when The Britannia was retired. It was a it even been to see Us in Australia. I know it costs Alot to run. I would got rid of the 50 Scottish MPs and reduced Parliament to 600. The royals Don't need lectures from politicians about finances. They bring in heaps for the Economy with tourism. Without them the UK would Be a second rate European Country no one knows much About. The government need To get real. Too many to free Loading scum laying about With large families on Welfare and too many Immigrants who push up The costs of housing, health And transport. They don't Bloody listen to the people.

[@Auggies1956]

The Sequoia was in Toledo in the late eighties in private hands it was open for tours. She was quite beautiful at the time.

[@cans420]

Nice video

[@thomassmythe8258]

Best wishes and good luck to you

[@krishpatel3156]

He's back!!!!!!!

[@dannydaw59]

5:15 Mr. President is littering in the ocean lol.

[@calokraine5901]

Yep, then it was normal like sadly today as well for some reason

[@thescanmangallery]

I had dinner on the Williamsberg when I was a kid when it was in NJ. I don't remember much more about it though.

[@mikemulrooney4824]

Good vid

[@dennisnickoloff1723]

'The Presidential Yatch' perfect

[@rickstout7626]

I was a marine reservist when I discovered the Sequoia docked at the Annacostia navy yard . me and other reservist were allowed to board her and have a look around . This was late 60 s and the boat was in disrepair then

[@scootersonlyrepair6773]

They just said it was auctioned in 77. Meaning it was in use in the 60s. If you saw it in a shipyard it was probably being repaired

[@rickstout7626]

@@scootersonlyrepair6773 I served from 66 thru 72 ....she was docked behind the mess hall on the Annacostia ,

[@edwardbianchi192]

I worked at restaurant that had one of the presidents yachts in Greenwich CT. Once a year we got to party on it. I think it was one of Kennedy’s? Photo of him on it. Bought by Joseph Keaton in the 70’s? I think it’s in NY now? Always a good time and what a beautiful yacht. Always felt privileged to get on it. I was really young then. I could not believe they let me on. We used to jump off the roof of the bridge into the water.

[@sirclarkmarz]

At 5:18 Roosevelt throws trash into the water

[@russbear31]

I live close to the Truman Library in Independence, MO. The library has a large exhibit of artifacts and memorabilia from the Williamsburg. Obviously, the government stripped the yacht of its furniture and other valuable historical items before it was decommissioned. They're sitting in the Truman Library's collection.

[@SayNO2CAMEABUSE]

Presidential Yaughts have evolved into Air Craft Carriers.

[@ralphrepo]

At 05.16 Roosevelt throws trash overboard, LOL... I guess those were the days.

[@ljphoenix4341]

Welcome back! Got a massive surprise when I saw this video in my notifications, but I'm not complaining at all! Glad you're feeling better.

[@TechToWatch]

"President Harry S. Truman was at the Potsdam Conference in Germany when he made the decision to drop the atomic bomb. The Potsdam Conference was held from July 17 to August 2, 1945, and it was during this time that Truman authorized the use of the atomic bomb. The actual order to drop the bomb was given on July 31, 1945. Following this decision, the first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945." Bing/GPT. I lived in Potsdam for a while. The British and US delegations each had a house close to each other. The US house was a school after the war & maybe still is. A German neighbour had used a classroom that had been Truman's office.

[@KRWoodworks]

The presidential yacht Sequoia is at French and Webb in Belfast Maine being restored. It is in private hands.