The ship hosted military leaders and European royalty under the president's ownership, but after his death in 1945, the Potomac was decommissioned by the Navy.

The many lives of the ship include being bought and later donated to a hospital by Elvis Presley; avoiding plans to be turned into a floating disco; and being seized for drug trafficking in Long Beach.

The Potomac found refuge in the Bay Area after the Port of Oakland purchased the yacht in 1981 for $15,000. It was fully restored and renovated before landing in Jack London Square, where it still sits today, and opening to the public in 1995.

"She sails beautifully," said Marti Burchell, executive director of the USS Potomac Association, which preserves the ship as a museum of Roosevelt's presidency. "She's smooth as silk out on the water. She's just so elegant."

Burchell said the 70-year-old ship is significant because it's one of the only historical, landmark vessels that sails on a regular basis. The Potomac Association offers 2-hour cruises in the summer and is available as a private charter.

Dockside tours of the yacht are given throughout the year and include a video on its history shown in the visitor center.

"The period of time that Roosevelt was president and the accomplishments that he made in our social history in this country are amazing," Burchell said. "To be a part of that, to actually be in a place where that history took place, is exciting."

On April 25, the yacht will mark the beginning of the San Francisco Bay boating season with a 3-hour cruise around the Bay.

The Potomac Association is looking for volunteers to help give docent tours and tours for school kids. They also need office volunteers to help plan special events and provide program development.

The USS Potomac is located at Jack London Square, 540 Water Street, Oakland. For more information on volunteering or a complete schedule of events, call (510) 627-1215 or visit www.usspotomac.org.

The Oakland Tribune: Cityside
Leanne McLaughlin, Managing Editor
(510) 208-6447
(510) 208-6477 Fax##
lmclaughlin@angnewspapers.com Email