Evening star., 1933-03-30
NAVY FITTING OUT
PRESIDENTS CRAFT.
Lieut.. John Stuart Blue to
Command Sequoia, Pleas
ure Ship.

The Navy is getting the presiden-
tial pleasure craft-U. S. S. Sequoia,
ready for the seasons fishing in the
lower Chesapeake, overhauling the trim
little ship at the Washington Navy
Yard.
When the flag was hoisted at her bow
at Annapolis. Nd. last week, and the
commission pennant was sent aloft the
Sequoia's engines were being repaired
And so, she had to be towed to the
local Navy Yard, where she arrived yes
,, terday. As soon as she was tied up to
the dock. her new commanding oficer.
Lieut.. John Stuart Blue. son of the
late Rear Admiral Victor Blue, who was
| chief OF the Bureau Of Navigation, Navy
Department, during the World War, set
about getting the craft into good shape.
Until few days ago, the Sequoia was
under the Department Of Commerce,
used by its Bureau of Navigation as an
inspection ship. At Annapolis, one side
Of the ship was scraped down, prepara-
tory to being painted. In this condition
One half of the hull painted white
the other showing the bare wood-the
vessel came to Washington. Now, blue
jackets are busy getting her into trim.
| Only Officer Aboard.
Lieut.. Blue said today that the hull
Will be painted white, with the upper
works being spar color and the super
structure vanished The lieutenant
will be the only commissioned officer
aboard, but he will be assisted by three
chief petty officers These, with four
bluejackets. will comprise the crew.
When presidential parties go down the
river, however, additional Filipino mess
boys will be taken aboard, to care for
the wants of the guests.
There Is room aboard for eight quests
comfortable little stateroom in the
after portion Of the vessel. The craft
Is operated by gasoline engines, which
are being built up in standard naval
fashion, to conform to regulations Due
to the risk OF fire from the gasoline,
special equipment Is being installed to
fight any blaze that might crop out.
There is no "deadline" for having the
Sequoia in completed condition, Lieut..
Blue asserted, but he proposes to have
all the reconditioning done as soon as
possible, so that President Roosevelt
may have the craft, when he desires it.
| Navy Department authorities said
that had the commissioning been de-
layed a month, the Department Of
Commerce would have finished the over.
hauling OF the little ship, which has
2OO-horsepower engines, and Is capable
OF developing 13 knots speed.
Proper Furniture Waits.
At present. the Sequoia is being fit.
ted out and the proper furniture, fit for
President, has not yet been installed.
/ The chief quarternaster is getting the
navlgatlonal features ship-shape, and
rearranging the pilot house, so that she
may conform to Navy usage. In the
ward roonl-where the distinguished
! guests will have their meals-Filipino
mess attendants are busy polishing up
! the tables and chairs and preparing the
floating White House, suitably. Down
| below are the staterooms, which are
| commodious, with their comforta BILE
| beds. The owners ROOM runs the
entire width of the vessel and is Just
abaft the engines. Quarters for the
crew are forward
And so. berthed at the WASHINGTON
Navy Yard, lies the U. S. S. Seuuoia,
which will afford the President needed
relaxation. as the Chief Executive and
his guests sit on the spacious deck
astern, with their fishing lines trailed
out over the side. somewhere down the
! lower Potomac. or broad Chesapeake
Bay. She is much smaller than the
former presidential yacht. U. S. S. May
flower, which shone white. among the
drab gray naval craft at the Washing
ton Navy Yard in the old days. But
! the Sequoia, although but baby COM
pared with the Mayf1ower has already
pleased a President, for Herbert Hoover
used her.