USS POTOMAC (yacht)
Also known as: FDR's Presidential Yacht; The Floating Whitehouse; Electra
Why it's listed
Moored on the Oakland Estuary, Potomac is a 165-foot steel yacht that served as Franklin D. Roosevelt's presidential vessel from 1936 to 1945. She began as the Coast Guard patrol cutter Electra, built in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, and launched in 1934 to chase rumrunners. The Navy rebuilt her in 1935-36 with a welded steel superstructure containing a saloon, a presidential stateroom and an elevator in the after stack. Roosevelt used her for fishing trips, state visits, cabinet meetings and a fireside chat. Her cover role in the August 1941 meeting with Winston Churchill that led to the Atlantic Charter adds to her importance. Later owners altered her, and after neglect she sank at Treasure Island before being raised, bought by the Port of Oakland and rebuilt. Restoration replaced much of the hull bottom and returned her exterior and interiors to their 1939 look, making her a working museum.
Significance in brief: Potomac was the yacht used by Franklin D. Roosevelt from 1936 to 1945 and served as his "floating White House" for state visits, cabinet meetings and retreats. She was the principal vessel associated with him during most of his four terms. She is tied to the 1939 visit of the British King and Queen and to the August 1941 voyage that covered his secret meeting with Churchill, which produced the Atlantic Charter.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 87000068, listed February 20, 1987. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 1660 Embarcadero, Oakland |
|---|---|
| County | Alameda County |
| Listed | February 20, 1987 |
| Reference number | 87000068 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1936-45 |
| Architect / builder | Manitowoc Ship Building Company |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Politics/Government |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated December 14, 1990 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Restored to her circa 1939 appearance and refloated, with the final interior restoration being completed and operation as a working museum vessel expected. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 37.79528, -122.28010 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 87000068.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q3547436
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.