Oakland, California 2012 Winter Edition

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Marti’s MusingsBy MARTI BURCHELLA look back at 2011 - a trulybodacious year. . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

From the First LadyThoughts on the trouble withgovernment from EleanorRoosevelt. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Mooring LinesBy VIRGINIA RAPPA change in couse takes us tothe USS Iowa. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Potomac PuzzlerTest your Knowledge of the FDRera. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Captain Daniel J. Callaghan -the Rest of the StoryBy JOE WINKELA look at the legacy of PresidentRoosevelt’s Naval Aide. . . . . . . 5

2012 Cruise ScheduleSomething for everyone starting with Opening Day on the Bay –join us and cruise the Bay inPresidential style . . . . . . . . . . .7

Potomac Profile Art Haskell – the helmsman for charting the course of all things financial. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Friends of the Potomac The most important page in this issue. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

POTOMAC LINKS:

Visit the Potomac on FaceBook!

Cruises and Special Events

Student Tours

Private Charters and Events

Become a Friend of the Potomac

Franklin D. Roosevelt’s “Floating White House” U

SS POTOMAC

PR

ES

IDENTIAL YAC

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THE CUFF LINKS CLUB By Les Dropkin

In his 1920 bid for the Vice-Presidency as the Democratic Party’s candidate, FDR had the support and advice of many people. With some, like FDR’s political men-tor Louis Howe, the relationship went back to the early days of FDR’s political career in New York after he won the race in 1910 for State Senator for Dutchess County – normally a stronghold of the Republican Party. For others, becoming part of FDR’s team was of much more recent origin.

In December of 1920, just a few months after the Democratic Party’s electoral loss, FDR wanted to express his gratitude to nine people in particular who had worked so long and hard on his campaign. He chose to do this by giving to each of them a set of golden cuff links from Tiffany’s. One of the cuff links bore the initials FDR; the other, the initials of the recipient. The cuff links shown here were those given to Renah F. Camalier, one of FDR’s stenographers in the campaign.

The cuff links were much more than souvenirs of a hard fought campaign. It soon became the custom for members of the Club to get together for dinner every year on or about January 30th, FDR’s birthday. These men of extraordinary abilities were thus brought together regularly; the ties of loyalty to FDR and the preserva-tion of the relationships among them would make the Club a potent force in later years and later campaigns.

The dinners were very private affairs. They afforded Club members a chance to reminisce and indulge in skits and high jinks. Well oiled by the end of dinner, they would enjoy a poker game afterwards. The Club would also be a source of strong support to both Eleanor and Franklin in the very difficult years after he contracted polio in 1921.

As the years passed the group began to be referred to as the Cuff Links Gang. More individuals became members. Wives, Eleanor and Eleanor’s friends began to be invited; they graciously retired after dinner so the poker night could begin. Louis Howe often took the lead in preparing the “program” for the evening. A good sense of his preparation for the night is afforded using 1924 as an example. The idea was to pretend they were still in the middle of the 1920 campaign; that they were in the wardroom of a battleship at the Brooklyn Navy Yard where there was going to be a dinner in FDR’s honor and that the “Gang” would be imperson-ating Navy Yard workers.

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If photos of the Club dinners were taken they remain in private hands, with one exception. In 1973 photos of the January 30, 1934 get together of the Club were donated to the Tacoma Public Library. The dinner that night, the first to be held in the White House, has come to be known as the “toga, toga” party. Some people who were opposed to the New Deal measures being taken had begun calling FDR “prickly Caesar”. The theme for the dinner had been found. These pictures belonged to Kirke L. Simpson, one of the original Club members– he is just below FDR in the photo to the left. The person he gave them to later donated them to the Tacoma Public Library.

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We might start out with an amusing dialogue between Admiral (William V.) Pratt and the Master Mechanic in which Pratt insists that all the boys come aboard whether they have washed their hands or not. . . get Marvin McIntire to get sailor suits from the Department for our four sweetest singers. They can dress in my room before dinner, and appear as the Colorado Star Quartette. Also, some other goat must represent the Marines. Apropos of Haiti, he should present Franklin with a couple of skulls of Haytians which he dug up from the local graveyard for amusement. You will probly remember the unfortunate incident.

The more I think of it the more posssibility this seems to give, and I am getting quite keen for it as I write.

Get the gang together and let me know the date for the big drunk.

Part of Howe’s Letter Planning the 1924 Dinner

The Cuff Links Club, White House, 1934 By this time the women were participating fully in the high jinks. In the photos below, Eleanor is standing to FDR’s right dressed as the Delphic Oracle; his daughter Anna seated just to his left is one of the “Vestal Virgins” surrounding FDR.

1934 saw the start of another tradition – the Birthday Balls. These were balls held in thousands of communities across the country on FDR’s birthday to raise money for the Warm Springs Foundation and the National Foundation for Infantile Pa-ralysis. Since Franklin, Eleanor, Anna and their friends would have to appear at the many Washington venues, it meant that less time was open for the Cuff Links Gang dinner and revelries. By January, 1936 Louis Howe was gravely ill. FDR drove out to Washington’s Naval Hospital to see him, went back to the White House for the dinner and then with Eleanor and their entourage to four of the balls. With Howe’s death in April a major driving force behind the Club’s meetings was gone. In succeeding years surviving Gang members simply became invitees to the Birthday Balls. The Club and the Birthday Balls ended together with the death of FDR in April, 1945.

“Toga, Toga Party” Birthday Celebration, White House, 1934

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MARTI’S MUSINGS…BodaciousBy Marti Burchell

What a wonderful word is “bodacious”, meaning intrepidly bold or daring and it so aptly describes 2011 at the Potomac Association.

We started the year wondering if we would still be in business by December, and willing to try any new idea to make it so. Here is a sampling of the boda-cious creativity that has run rampant through the Association:

To begin, we did a first-ever online appeal from our Chairman Michael Roo-sevelt to all of our Potomac friends… it worked netting $14,000 in new and generous contributions.

A group of Potomac volunteers created an SOS (Save our Ship) Committee to brainstorm creative ideas to support and move the Association into the future… it worked. We now have a volunteer led blueprint for operations and fund development.

The Potomac Marketing Committee reached out to the City of Oakland and other local groups to insure they know the Po-tomac is active and well… it worked! We are now involved in several ongoing efforts to maximize participation by Oakland organizations in the 2012-13 America’s Cup opportunities.

We asked to participate in the 2011 Strictly Sail Pacific boat show at Jack London Square…it worked! We took the Potomac down the boardwalk to the show area and were a featured attraction with hundreds of new folks visiting our ship. Thanks to show coordinator, Mitch Perkins, we were also the site for the VIP cocktail party… more new fans of the Potomac enjoyed being on board. Good news, we will be back for this year’s show, April 12-15.

We courted a major film director to use our Potomac for a motion picture… it worked. During June the ship was leased to do a movie, featuring well-known actors and will be released late this year. As a result we netted four months in operational income.

We contacted yacht-charter brokers to help us develop a plan to make the Potomac a premium charter site for the upcoming America’s Cup… it worked. We developed a working relationship with two brokers. We are creating a professional market-ing package, and making important contacts with the America’s Cup Authority.

We weren’t certain that we would do our Bluegrass on Board concerts this year, but our Board-sponsor, Jean Gaskill, boldly decided that the Third Annual Concert Series would be the charm for success… it worked. All four concerts were sold out and we are now being contacted by well-known bluegrass groups who have heard about our series (finally) and want to join us.

A little bodaciousness can go a long way toward refreshing and renewing an organization, and I do believe that 2011 was a truly Bodacious year! Thank you to all of our fabulous volunteers and crew who made it so. It worked!

GOVERNMENT:

Our trouble is that we do not demand enough of the people who represent us. We are responsible for their activities. . we must spur them to more imagination and enterprise in making a push into the unknown; we must make clear that we

intend to have responsible and courageous leadership. Tomorrow Is Now (1963)

From the First Lady

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MOORING LINES . . . a note from the Editor

Last November 3, the USS Potomac left the dock with nearly 100 guests aboard and an en-semble of volunteers called Characters of the Bay. This special event cruise brings a unique dimension to the history of the San Francisco Bay – our characters stay in character, the conversation never stops, and it’s always fun. Yours truly traded in her Editor’s hat for the occasion and donned a very Victorian wig to play the role of Lillie Hitchcock Coit.

However, on this particu-lar cruise the conversation

did stop as the Potomac changed course. Our captain an-nounced that we were heading for the Richmond Ship-yards to sail by USS Iowa. The hush was immediate as the Iowa came into view on our starboard side. The ages of those aboard ranged from young children to some who lived through WWII. As we slowly cruised by, the mood aboard the Potomac turned to a combination of awe and reverence. For whatever reason, it was a tremendously moving moment - whether in reaction to the size of the ship itself, or her role in history, or for all who served dur-ing her time – something quietly struck everyone.

Not long ago, friends of mine returned from Normandy… “It’s hard to find words,” they said. I now appreciate what they meant.

In closing, all this leads me to say that every cruise on the Potomac brings something unique, and often, the unex-pected. We’ll be back on the water Sunday, April 29 for Opening Day on the Bay. Why not join us – you never know where the course might lead.

Virginia Rapp, Editor

POTOMAC PUZZLER

What is the Potomac’s connection to a Naval Facility located inland at the top of a mountain? Does it help to know that this facility’s official name was the USS Shangri-La?

The answer will appear in the next edition of Potomac Currents - Spring 2012.

Photos by Lee Ditlefson

For extraordinary heroism and conspicuous intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty during action against enemy Japanese forces off Savo Island on the night of 12-13 November 1942. Although out-balanced in strength and numbers by a desperate and determined enemy, Rear Ad-miral Callaghan, with ingenious tactical skill and superb coordination of the units under his command, led his forces into battle against tremendous odds, thereby contributing decisively to the rout of a powerful invasion fleet and to the consequent frustration of a formidable Japanese offensive. While faithfully directing close-range operations in the face of furious bombardment by the superior enemy fire power, he was killed on the bridge of his Flagship. His courageous initiative, inspiring leadership, and judicious foresight in a crisis of grave responsibility were in keeping with the finest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the defense of his country.

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Captain Daniel J. Callaghan – the Rest of the StoryBy Joe Winkel

Visitors to the Potomac get some information about Cap-tain Callaghan from the panel in the officers’ quarters. They see that he was President Roosevelt’s Naval Aide from July, 1938 to May, 1941; that he subsequently lost his life while on the bridge of the USS San Francisco commanding a task force in the South Pacific that became engaged off Savo Is-land during the Guadalcanal Campaign and that he received the Medal of Honor posthumously.

We can learn more about the man himself by considering two documents: the letter that FDR wrote when releasing him to take command of the USS San Francisco and the text of the citation awarding him the Medal of Honor. And, to complete the story, we can look to his legacy.

Naval Aide to FDRWhen appointed Naval Aide on the recommendation of FDR’s personal physician Admiral Ross McIntyre, Callaghan held the rank of Commander. It was not un-til October of 1938 that he would receive his promotion to Captain. That Captain Callaghan, who would turn out to be one of FDR’s lon-gest serving Aides and who could be frequently found cruising on the Potomac

with him, earned the deepest respect of the President is clear from what he wrote:

It is with great regret that I am letting Captain Callaghan leave as my Naval Aide. He has given every satisfaction and has performed duties of many varieties with tact and real efficiency. He has shown a real understanding of the many problems of the service within itself and in relation-ship to the rest of Government.

The Medal of HonorIn April 1942, Callaghan was promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral and appointed Chief of Staff to the Commander, South Pacific Force. Killed in action a few months later, the Citation accompanying the Medal of Honor awarded to him posthumously for his actions while serving as Task Group Commander sets out the circumstances of the engagement and the character of Admiral Callaghan:

 

At that time, he became the third US Navy admiral killed in action during World War II. The first two were fellow Rear Admirals Norman Scott, earlier in the same engagement, and Isaac Kidd, killed on the bridge of the USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor.

His LegacyNamed in his honor are Callaghan Hall at Officer Training Command, Newport, Rhode Island and Admiral Callaghan Lane in Vallejo, California. A monument at Lands End, San Francisco (including part of the bridge of the USS San Fran-cisco) honors him and his comrades.

The rest of the story is that two US destroyers were named after Admi-ral Callaghan. The first so named was commissioned November 27, 1943 and carried the designation DD792. This USS Callaghan carries the unique dis-tinction of being the last destroyer to be lost in World War II. Ironically, she was lost off Okinawa while on radar picket duty when hit by a kamikaze plane on July 28, 1945 - less than two hours before she was to be relieved by another ship in order to return to the States for an overhaul.

 

continued on page 6

The second was commissioned August 29, 1981 and carried the designation DDG-994. This USS Callaghan was of a class of ships designed for air defense in hot weather. Origi-nally the ship was ordered by the Shah of Iran, but was un-delivered when the1979 Iranian Revolution occurred. The U.S. Navy elected to commission her and her sister ships for service in the Persian Gulf and Mediterranean Sea since they were equipped with heavy-duty air conditioning. In addition, they were also well suited to filtering sand and any results from NBC (Nuclear, Biological, Chemical) warfare.

On September 1, 1983 the Callaghan was on deployment to the Western Pacific and making a port visit in Japan. Korean Air Lines Flight 007, on its way from Anchorage, Alaska

to Seoul, Korea, carrying 269 pas-sengers and crew, strayed into So-viet airspace. A Soviet fighter jet was sent up to destroy the intrud-ing Boeing 747. After the attack, the Callaghan’s crew was recalled and sent to search for survivors. During its survey of the crash site, the Callaghan was under very close scrutiny by the Soviet Navy, narrowly avoiding open conflict

while engaged in their search. No survivors were found.

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 The Second USS Callaghan, DDG-994

The Callaghan received a Meritorious Unit Citation from the U.S. Navy and a special citation from the South Korean government for its role in the mission.

In the years following she earned two Battle Efficiency awards and the Humanitarian Service Medal for saving two boatloads of people in the South China Sea. She was de-commissioned on March 31, 1998. Sold to the Republic of China in 2004, she spent almost two years of refitting and training in the U.S. before becoming a commissioned naval vessel of the Republic of China.

UPCOMING EVENTSWHAT ARE THESE POTOMAC VOLUNTEERS DOING AT THE USS IOWA EXHIBIT HALL?

Photo of volunteers at the USS IOWA

For the answer - visit the USS IOWA at Terminal 3,Richmond Shipyards, now through the end of March. (Click on photo for more information.)

The Potomac will be back for this 4-day event offering free tours for all Boat Show ticket holders.Bring the whole family – admission is free for children 15 and under.

• OPENING DAY ON THE BAY Join the Characters of the Bay Sunday, April 29 DETAILS >>

• CHARACTERS OF THE BAY Who are they and why are they on the Potomac? LEARN MORE >>

• MOTHER’S DAY BRUNCH Sunday, May 13 DETAILS >>

• FATHER’S DAY BRUNCH Sunday, June 17 DETAILS >>

Follow this link to the entire calendar of events and cruises

Phot

o by

Bill

y W

ood

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The Potomac Association540 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 RappLayout and Design: David McGraw

Editorial Board: Marti Burchell, Ed Bloom, Rich Knowles, Les Marks, Les Dropkin, Hank Laney,

Brad Bunnin and David McGrawElectronic Distribution: Karen Lyberger

Webmaster: Tom Howard No part of this publication may be

reproduced without the written permission of the publisher.

Board of Governors and Staff

Michael Roosevelt, ChairmanCarla Betts, President

Tom Morehouse, 1st Vice PresidentWalter Abernathy, CFOJean Gaskill, Secretary

Rick Anderson, Mary Bergan, Joe Brennan,

David Connolly, Virginia Furth, Al Groh, Dale Hansen,

Denny McLeod, Ron Paredes

Marti Burchell, Executive DirectorCraig Newton, Ship Keeper

History Cruises

1st and 3rd Thursday 2nd and 4th Saturday May thru October 10:30AM ~ 12:30PM $45.00 Adults, $40.00 Seniors $25.00 Under 12 Groups of 20 or more: $35.00 each

Special Event Cruises

Dockside Tours

Wednesday, Friday & SundayYear Round ~ 11:00AM to 3:00PM $10.00 Adults, $8.00 Seniors

Watch our website Event Page for more information. Or find us on Facebook

CRUISES & EVENTS 2012

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

MY DAY

Opening Day on the Bay April 29Mother’s Day May 13Father’s Day June 17Fourth of July July 4Fleet Week Practice October 5Fleet Week October 6 & 7Character’s on the Bay November 1Veteran’s Day (2 Cruises) November 11Prices may vary, Please call for information

✮✮✮✮✮

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Weddings • Special Events • Celebrations

Potomac AssociationCall 510-627-1215 ~ www.usspotomac.org

Charter Franklin D. Roosevelt’s

Presidential YachtUSS Potomac

ART HASKELL HOME: A long time resident of Oakland, CA AGE: 85 PROFESSION: Retired Naval Architect and Marine Engineer with degrees from The Naval Academy and MIT HOBBIES: Tennis and Skiing MOST NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENT: The rescue, restoration and maintenance of the Presidential Yacht Potomac. PROFILE: Among those who were the driving force in the rescue and restoration of the Presidential Yacht Potomac, Art Haskell stands out as one of the most influential and committed members. Art was “given on loan” from Matson Navigation around 1987, and was a key player in coordinating all of the recruitment and direction of the restoration team. He has been an active member and officer of our Board of Governors for over 25 years. Art’s strongly held belief in the importance of the ship as a National Treasure and his commitment to the Association has been and continues to be unwavering. The Association is fortunate and proud to have Art among our strongest supporters.

YACHT: The Presidential Yacht USS Potomac

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Want to sail in Presidential style?For cruises, events, and charters, go to:

www.usspotomac.org

POTOMAC PROFILES

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

Port of Oakland

CORPORATE/PATRON

COMMANDER IN CHIEF

ELEANOR

CAPTAIN

FIRST MATE

Dale Hansen

Ken & Carla BettsJoe Brennan & Jan Tiura

Walter AbernathyRick AndersonMary BerganAlan BraunBrad Bunnin

CA Field Iron Workers Admin Trust

Dr Jacob DeeganWillis Deming

William & Marsha Dillon

Virginia FurthArthur HaskellTom HowardHugh JamesLes Marks

Craig Newton – in memory of Charlie NewtonKurt Lauridsen

Michael & Deborah RooseveltJudy Goff-Roveda

Dan Strohl

Don & Cathy DeCoss Charles Norman David Lee Woods & Phyllis D Chambers

Linda BrewerMiriam BloombergPat & Barbi Carson

Ronald CasassaDave Connolly

Art & Ardeth DreshfeldLes Dropkin

Robert Eakin & Avis HendleyNancy Elbeck

Norman & Edna EltringhamPete GeffenAlbert Groth

John & Donna Kaehms

Rich Knowles & Merlyn Uhlenberg

Paul & Beatric KoehnJack Lapidos

David & Myrna McGrawThomas Murray

Capt Joanna Newman

Jim O’ConnorAngie Papastefan

Stuart & Vallyn ProffittVirginia Rapp

Gordon SeligsonDeborah Tharp

John & Marilyn WellandGene Zahas

ABC Security ServiceGail & Bruce Adair

Carol AndersonRon & Judy Arrants

John & Suzanne BarrGene Bell

Richard BlackJames Bolen

Burton & Lynn BoltuchDonald & Sharon Bonney

Roland BrandelRachel BuckleyMarti Burchell

Windy & Jerry Butler

Vern & Alice CarrierLinda Chew

Fred CunninghamLee Ditlefsen

Georgia EdlundOlaf ElanderArthur FatumGlenn FrizzellMartine Habib

Trevor HallBonnie & Earl HamlinMavourneen Harshman

Leroy & Marlene HintzmanCapt Walter Jaffee

Marvin JensenCarol Johnston

Charley Kearns & Frank ChingNancy Kickertz

Neal & Nancy LamblyPaulette Langguth

Jack LapidosDonald MacInnesPatricia MacLean

Robert MatzJohn McCredie

Roberta & Tim MontgomeryArt & Carrell Rankin

Joseph & Bonnie Reid

Harold RiceMaurice Robichaud

Mitch SalzmanJerry & Lovene Silsdorf

James SweeneyKathy Szumiloski

Ruby TilleyJohn & Nancy Turnier

Lee VeldeWanda VivianoBeverly VoelkerCynthia Weiss

Mary WhiteheadRuth Ann Yager

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SUSTAINING PATRON

Jean & Barbara Gaskill Stanley Jacobsen & Emmy Werner

Denny & Ruth McLeod

John & Clem Underhill

ADMIRAL

Waterfront Plaza Hotel

Gilbert Williams & Anne Bonaparte

Friends of the Potomac

Richard Zampa – District Council of Ironworkers

continued on page 11

The Durst Corporation

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FALA

Ramon AguilarGlenn Aitkens

Bruce BaurSally Beck & David

BrossardMarianne Burkhead

Carol CampbellTed & Lynda Chenoweth

Angelique & Yann Cucaro-Renault

Al DessayerGus DoroughJames Elander

Richard HammerElizabeth Hannon

Heinold’s First & Last Chance Saloon

Howard HermanBill Hodges & Ken Horton

Esther Jennings

Lucy JohnColleen Kelly-Prola

Paul KoehnLawrence & Emily Lohr

Ronald LouisSandra LundgrenWilliam Memmer

Dawn MullerCathy O’BrienWilliam Peeters

Herbert PlochBrenda PriceBruce Reeves

Jane SmithElaine StanleyJohn Tuttle &

Doug DrummondJohn Tysell

Robert Woodruff

STUDENT/TEACHER

Note: Questions or comments about the above listing may be referred to Gordon Seligson, email:gseligson@usspotomac.org or write to the Friends of the Potomac, P.O. Box 2064, Oakland, CA 94604.

Friends of the Potomac

Harvey Smith

The Potomac Association provides a living history classroom for students from all over the Bay Area.

Click on the photograph for more information about this exceptional program.