Presidential Yacht Sequoia Crewmembers Reunite Onboard: Sunday Superyacht Video

For decades in American history, yachts formally served ambassador-like roles on behalf of the President and country. In fact, eight American Presidents starting with Herbert Hoover entertained dignitaries aboard the Presidential yacht Sequoia, the last remaining unrestored private vessel to have that honor. Although protective shrink wrap envelops her, and she’s on the hard in Maryland, Sequoia recently welcomed back some old friends. Several crewmembers who served onboard reunited, at the invitation of the maritime museum looking after her.

The 104-footer (31.-meter) is an all-wood classic from 1925, from the drawing boards of the renowned John Trumpy. The equally renowned John H Mathis & Company in Camden, New Jersey constructed her. In fact, Trumpy worked directly for Mathis for many years, later opening his own yard in Maryland. At the time of her launch, Sequoia was a private yacht for a high-profile couple from Philadelphia, Richard Cadwalader and Emily Roebling Cadwalader. (On a side note, although Richard was a banker, Emily was no less prominent on her own, the granddaughter of the Brooklyn Bridge’s designer.) Reportedly, they paid $200,000 to build and design the yacht, the equivalent of nearly $4 million today.

A subsequent owner sold the yacht to the U.S. Department of Commerce in the early 1930s. President Herbert Hoover believed she’d be an ideal floating White House, having ceased using another larger vessel in 1929 following public criticism over costs. Therefore, she officially became the Presidential yacht Sequoia in March 1933, under the ownership of the U.S. Navy. Next, Franklin Delano Roosevelt and every President straight through to Jimmy Carter used her for a variety of purposes. Ultimately, though, Carter believed it was unbecoming for the Commander in Chief to have a luxury asset during tough economic times. The White House therefore announced the sale in April 1977 for $270,000.

Fast forward to last week, when several former crewmembers from the Nixon administration reunited onboard at the Richardson Maritime Center in Maryland. The yacht moved to Maryland in 2023, following four years of siting in Maine. (Although Sequoia had gone north for restoration, shutdowns related to Covid and others delays impacted plans.) Among those reuniting were Peter Kennett, the engineer from 1969 to 1972. “We’re talking 54, 55 years ago, but it’s as fresh as it was yesterday in some ways,” he tells WBOC, a local television station. Similarly, Don Roberts was a stew onboard during the same period. He recalls England’s Prince Charles and U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger being among the guests.

While it has been decades since any of these men last were on deck, their recollections are important for history. The current owners of the yacht still intend to restore her. What’s more, Sequoia has National Historic Landmark status due to her significance.