Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-23
YACHT MAYFLOWER
WILL Be RETIRED
Hoover Orders Craft Out of
Commission in interests
of Economy.
Herbert Hoover-hguratively speaking


Herbert Hoover-hguratively speaking
has hauled down the ensign on the
presidential yacht Mayfiower and con
! signed that historic vessel to unevent-
! full old age in a navy yard, perhaps
| the Washington yard. In announcing
his decision yesterday to withdraw the
Mayhower from commission, the Presi-
dent made it clear that his action was
prompted by the interests of economy
President Hoover is fond of yachting
but he does not care to have the Gov
eminent spend 100000 annually to
satisfy the presidential taste for cruis-
ing. This amount, the President has
learned, is required yearly for mainte-
nance of the Mayfiower. And further
Mr. Hoover has found that the yacht
requires complement of nine officers
and 14S enlisted men.
Yacht Acquired in 1905.
BY withdrawing the Mayfiower from
commission Mr.. Hoover will know that
the annual saving In maintenance will
aid the Nays expansion program, and
that the officers and men now manning
that vessel will be distributed among
| the war fleets, thereby solving a minor
recruiting problem.
/ Since 1905, when President Roose-
welt acquired the Mayfiower. the yacht
has become more or less of an institu-
ton in Washington, where 1t has been
moored at the Navy Yard when not
cruising.
In spite of its popular classification
as the presidential play boat" the YES
e. t4nc - cfN - r,,t.i l..
have been proud. She figured in the
Spanish-Americ War, principally in
the blockade of Havana, under COM
mand of Comdr. Wainwright.
The Mayflower has had aboard many
notables. including the King and Queen
of Belgium and the members of the
Russo-Japanese Peace Commission. The
latter. brought together by President
Roosevelt, went aboard the boat at Port
Smith. N. H., where the treaty terminal
ing the war between Russia and Japan
was negotiated.
The Mayflower temporarily served as
the flagship of Admiral George Dewey,
the hero of Manila Bay. after he was
made rar admiral and was in COM
mand of the Atlantic fleet.
The yacht was serving as the ad-
mirals flagship at the time President
Roosevelt Communicated her for presi-
Dental purposes, and since then each
President has used the boat more or
less frequently. President Taft made
numerous cruises aboard the Mayfiower.
as did President Harding. President
Wilson used the craft only infrequently.
apparently not caring for cruising. 1t
was President Coolidge, however, who
seemed to derive the greatest amount
~f tirfn h. kf~y
yacht. and he found the boat salts
the duties of President. as well as q
means for entertaining his friends.
Craft Was Built in 1895.
The ensign of it's commander will be
taken down, the Mushrooms dismantled,
the deck chairs and saloon furniture
stored in the hold and the silver and
glassware service placed in lockers.
This in itself is requiem enough for a
boat that has held the proud position
of the Mayf1ower. but more mourning
Is added when IL is considered that
many of the warrant officers and en-
listed men on the yacht have homes
and families in Washington and will
be ordered away as result OF the
Presidents decision.
The Mayf1ower was built in Scotland
in 1896. for the late Ogden Goelet
grandfather of former Senator Peter
Geolet Gerry of Rhode Island. 1t Is
understood the yacht was patterned
after the imperial yacht Meteor, which
belonged. to Kaiser Wilhelm II. After
short cruise in the Mediterranean,
Mr.. Geolet died and his body was
brought to this country on the yacht.
In 1898 the yacht was bought by the
| Navy for use in the Spanish War for
/ s43O 900. It has cost many thousands
since, not only in pay and maintenance
! for the officers and crews, but In fire.
ouent overhauling repainting and re-
fitting. Four years ago the boat was
converted into an oil burner at heavy
cost.
The Mayfiower is 800 feet long, has
a 34-foot beam and draws II feet. The
maximum speed is IA knots an hour
! Besides quarters for officers and crew
! the Mayf1ower has sleeping accommoda-
| tons for about IA guests.
Served as Dispatch Boat.
When first commissioned in the Navy
the Mayfiower was utilized as dis
patch boat. Soon afterward it was
assigned to the Cuban blockade, and In
1900 was assigned to special service tC
sufferers of the Porto Rican typhoon
For two years thereafter she served a.
a cruiser in the Caribbean Sea. In 1907
Admiral Dewey was raised to the rank
of admiral, and the MayfloWer wa:
turned over to him as flagship.
President Roosevelt first spied the
craft at feet maneuver review. Hi
order assigning the yacht to the sol'
use of the President followed soon after
President Wilson confined his trips
aboard the Mayflower principally tt
naval reviews, or such occasions a!
might be classed as oficial President
Harding reviewed the Atlantic fleet IRON
the Mayfiower, as did President Cool
idee two years ago. President Harding
went to sea several times in the boat
He cruised as far as Plymouth, Mass.
West Point Military Academy and Ions
| Island Sound. President Coolidge
; cruises were confined wholly to smooth
IA