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Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
USS Potomac Rounding West Point
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.

USS Potomac Rounding West Point

Artifact IDMO 1941.3.108
Object Type Painting
Artist (American, 1902 - 1986)
Date1937
Mediumcanvas, paint (oil)
Dimensionsframe H 19 1/4 in x W 23 1/8 in x D 1 1/2 in (48.9 cm x 58.7 cm x 3.8 cm )
 painting (on stretcher) H 16 in x W 20 1/8 in (40.6 cm x 51.1 cm )
Physical DescriptionA painting of the presidential yacht, USS POTOMAC. It depicts the ship rounding a bend on New York's Hudson River at West Point. To the right of the POTOMAC, and slightly behind, a Navy ship is visible. The painting is signed by the artist in the lower right: JOHN D. WISINKSY - USCG.

The painting is framed in a 2" gilt wood frame with rounded corners. On the reverse of the frame is attached a small paper sticker on which is typed: C-12-28.
Historical NoteThis painting of the USS POTOMAC is one of two by U.S. Coast Guard Chief Printer John Wisinsky that he wanted given to President Roosevelt (see also MO 1941.3.233). They were presented to FDR by the United States Coast Guard, through Rear Admiral Russell R. Waesche, in November 1937.

Originally a United States Coast Guard patrol ship, the USS POTOMAC served as the presidential yacht from 1936 until 1945. President Roosevelt spent many relaxing days aboard the ship as it cruised the Potomac River, the Chesapeake Bay, and other locations. After his death, the ship was decommissioned and returned to the Coast Guard. It was later sold and fell into disrepair. Eventually, a non-profit organization in Oakland, California acquired the ship. It is preserved there as a national historic landmark.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteTransferred to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum from the White House on August 7, 1940. It was donated as a bequest of FDR to the Library in 1947.
Credit LineEstate of Franklin D. Roosevelt
National Archives Catalog CollectionFranklin D. Roosevelt Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 735948)
National Archives Catalog SeriesUnited States Navy Materials (National Archives Identifier 782673)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestrictedCopyrightReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.
In Collection(s)
Not on view