The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-02-16
Frederick Haskln's Letter
The Yacht of the Presidents.

Washington, d. c., Feb. 15.-The
presidents yacht is one of the most
/, attractive of his possessions, yet
very little has been written about
! it. The presidents pets, his hob
/ bies, his daily program, his home,
and taste in dress are familiar top
les to the people of the United
States. The Mayfower is known
simply as the presidents yacht,
though because of its history and
ITS association with four presidents
it is one of the most interesting
ships in the navy.
The U. S. S. Mayf1ower is yacht
of which any potentate of Europe
might be proud. Although it is a
quarter of century old it is still
known as one OF the largest yachts
af1oat, and while it is no longer u
strictly modern vessel of its~type,
its beautiful furnishings and ap
pointments and its picked crew
make it a comfortable little pal
ace.
The Mayfiower is not extrava-
gantly QUILTED with antique furn
iture and art treasures. Its attrac-
tiveness is in it's simplicity. From
the shining decks with their polish
ed brass to the music room fitted
out in cretonne and cool green, the
yacht is a model pleasure boat.
The ships rooms are mainly done
in blue and green now-Mrs. Hard
ing's selections. In December, just
after Mr.. Harding's election. the
Mayf1ower caught fire and was seri-
-ously damaged Mr.. Wilson was
not using the yacht and as it is
called for very little during the win
ter anyway, the question of redec-
Grating the rooms was left to the
incoming president and his wife.
Mrs. Harding planned a new col
or scheme for the ship. Before,
rose had been the favored color for
the bedrooms and salons. Mrs
Harding had the bedrooms done in
a soft shade of blue. With blue silk
covers and dressing tables, the
staterooms of the yacht are one of j..
the most generally admired features
of the ship when it is shown to
guests.
The music room chairs and sofas
are covered with effective cretonne
in black with a pattern of marine
animals and plants in bright COL
ors. The prevailing color here
and in the white-paneIed dining 1
room is green.
Marble Baths Aboard Ship. |
The baths of the Mayflower are
of solid marble, very luxurious in
but. according to one
officer, a trifle chilly. There is .
story that one of the Roosevelt boys /
once brought his pet alligator
aboard the Mayfiower on a family
cruise and deposited it in one of .
these marble tubs. By accident the
water run into the tub was too hot
even for tropical reptile and the
alligator was discovered later in
4 parboiIed condition, to the great
sorrow of the boys (
Fireplaces in which wood or coal
may be burned are an unusual feat
Ire boosted by the presidential
yacht II
1t is roomy, comfortable ship,
With cosy corners where tete-a-
etes of Importance to the nations
iestiny are rumored to have taken
place at various times. Il
One little nook between two pas l.
study. A desk and a glass case
illed with reference books makes
t possible for the president to work
aboard ship if he wishes to do so.
Fhe study is not used to any great
,Xtent, however When the preSi- :
lent travels on business or when ;
affairs of state are pressing he |
arely orders out the official yacht.
Presidential cruises on the May 4;
lower are mainly guest parties, and
hort pleasure trips-weekend sails I
o Newport News, Long Island, or {
n the Potomac. At such times,
he weary executive may sign few 5
'apers or dictate important let i
ers, but he tries to rest.
Tea at Sea. II
Mrs. Harding entertained fire. I