by contributor Rebecca Fernandez
Photo credit: Erica Adams
Welcome Aboard the USS Sequoia Presidential Yacht!
Last night, Sandro Kereselivze hosted a private party on the 104 foot yacht.
The USS Sequoia Presidential Yacht has entertained America’s heads of state for 87 years, was built in 1925, and has been in tact ever since. The vessel was acquired by the US Navy as a yacht for the President and was first used by President Herbert Hoover in 1931.
Together, there have been 12 presidents who used The Sequoia frequently to host events and even as an escape.
Now, the Presidential Yacht serves as a National Historic Landmark and has a collection of photographs and memorabilia from past events that were held on this stately wooden vessel.
Sandro is originally from the Republic of Georgia and came to DC looking for a career in theatre. He is now the owner of Art Soiree, a company that showcases emerging talent in the visual arts, short film, music, literature and performance art.
He and his coworkers always try to find different venues to host their events, and he thought what better scenery than the historic yacht.
“It is an honor to host something like this here. It is a privilege, and I am very lucky to be able to have an event on this beautiful landmark.”
Sandro had his number of guests on board. “It’s Nice and chill, and perfect amount for the capacity of this yacht”
There was champagne, hors d’eouvres, jazz tunes playing on the top deck, and a beautiful sunset as the yacht sailed through the Potomac River.
“I am hoping I will be able to do this once again. Maybe in a couple of weeks. Maybe even with a theme, like JFK themed and have everyone come dressed up,” Sandro said, as he enjoyed the beautiful evening on the USS Sequoia Presidential yacht.
Rebecca Fernandez and Erica Adams
Sequoia Trivia:
“Sequoia had been used by the Commerce Department to catch bootleggers during Prohibition. But what did Hoover use it for? You guessed it; he violated Prohibition on it.*
FDR at least had the good sense not to be as public about his use of the Sequoia. But he did relish using it. He and Eleanor would travel from DC to Annapolis where they would embark on the yacht.
Not much to say about Mr. Truman except that he had a temper, but we already knew that. Apparenlty, he got so frustrated with his poker game on one occasion that he smashed the yacht’s dining room table with a cigar cutter, creating a nice scar on an otherwise beautiful piece of American memorabilia.
Eisenhower had been on the Sequoia prior to becoming president. During the Truman Administration, he and other officials worked on some of the details of the Marshall Plan.
Of all the presidents to use the yacht, John Kennedy seemed to be the most adept to it (perhaps with the exception of FDR), being that he was wealthy and he had been a navy man. Kennedy would have his last birthday party, his 46th, on the Sequoia before being assassinated months later.
Lyndon Johnson, the tallest-small man to ever occupy the White House, liked to watch his porn films on the top deck (he used the white smoke stack as a picture screen).
They say Nixon was an odd fellow, and by most accounts, he was. He brought his peculiar take on the world to the Sequoia. Nixon always wore a tie, coat, and shoes on the yacht and never took them off while on her—I guess he felt he had to overcompensate for his predecessor’s juvenility.
President Carter had the government sell the yacht in 1977 apparently thinking it too ostentatious for his presidency of blue jeans sans “Hail to the Chief.” He never even set foot on the yacht.
We’re not confirming the above trivia……………..just sayin’. All tidbits are from HubPages which seems well referenced.
