pizzazsdaddy
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 20, 2012
- Messages
- 685
- Status
- OWNER - I own a Hatteras Yacht
- Hatteras Model
- 58' YACHT FISHERMAN (1970 - 1981)
I wanted to share a quick photo of "HONEY FITZ" as she cruised by this afternoon.
For those unfamiliar, HONEY FITZ is a former "Presidential Yacht" that has been lovingly restored over the past several years.
HONEY FITZ was built in 1931 by the Defoe Shipbuilding Company of Bay City, Michigan, for then "Chairman of the Board" of "Montgomery Ward", Sewell Avery.
At that time, the Yacht was named LENORE, after Avery's daughter, and cruised regularly near his private estate in Michigan.
However, Avery clashed for years over President Roosevelt's "NEW DEAL". In retaliation, the U.S. Government eventually "seized" the vessel for use as a "wartime" vessel in 1942.
She was then taken over by the US Coast Guard for patrol duty near Rockaway Beach, New York. Later, LENORE was used as a "submarine training" vessel out of Portsmouth, NH in 1945.
Then, under President Roosevelt in 1945, she was transferred to the U.S. Navy as a "Tender-To" the Presidential Yacht...U.S.S. Potomac, then later, under the name LENORE II, as the "Tender To" the U.S.S. WILLIAMSBURG.
President Dwight D. Eisenhower, after a cruise on the "Williamsburg", declared it "too rich for my blood" and retired her as a symbol of "needless luxury". In 1957, Eisenhower renamed the LENORE II, as BARBARA ANNE, after his daughter, but used her "sparingly" until his doctors demanded he stop vacationing in Colorado due to his worsening heart condition.
Eisenhower last used the yacht Labor Day Weekend 1960. He later said he "regretted not enjoying her more frequently".
It was John F. Kennedy who renamed her "HONEY FITZ"...and enjoyed her to the fullest! Christmas and Easter on board in Palm Beach. Summers in Rhode Island. Kennedy's love for the water and boating exceeded every President. A close Kennedy advisor once quoted the president during a Palm Beach Winter Cruise..."This sure beats a Ferry Ride to Nantucket doesn't it"???
In fact, Jacqueline Kennedy herself redecorated the yacht for the first time since 1931, including the installation of the first "Color TV" on board for the enjoyment of the children.
President Lyndon Johnson refused to rename her. And used the yacht only for the occasional "cocktail party".
President Nixon renamed the yacht PATRICIA after his wife. Then put her up for sale in 1970, as a symbol of government waste.
There were so many "restrictions" to the sale, she failed to receive any viable bids. HONEY FITZ eventually fell into disrepair under several owners, before being rescued.
And that's all I know.
For those unfamiliar, HONEY FITZ is a former "Presidential Yacht" that has been lovingly restored over the past several years.
HONEY FITZ was built in 1931 by the Defoe Shipbuilding Company of Bay City, Michigan, for then "Chairman of the Board" of "Montgomery Ward", Sewell Avery.
At that time, the Yacht was named LENORE, after Avery's daughter, and cruised regularly near his private estate in Michigan.
However, Avery clashed for years over President Roosevelt's "NEW DEAL". In retaliation, the U.S. Government eventually "seized" the vessel for use as a "wartime" vessel in 1942.
She was then taken over by the US Coast Guard for patrol duty near Rockaway Beach, New York. Later, LENORE was used as a "submarine training" vessel out of Portsmouth, NH in 1945.
Then, under President Roosevelt in 1945, she was transferred to the U.S. Navy as a "Tender-To" the Presidential Yacht...U.S.S. Potomac, then later, under the name LENORE II, as the "Tender To" the U.S.S. WILLIAMSBURG.
President Dwight D. Eisenhower, after a cruise on the "Williamsburg", declared it "too rich for my blood" and retired her as a symbol of "needless luxury". In 1957, Eisenhower renamed the LENORE II, as BARBARA ANNE, after his daughter, but used her "sparingly" until his doctors demanded he stop vacationing in Colorado due to his worsening heart condition.
Eisenhower last used the yacht Labor Day Weekend 1960. He later said he "regretted not enjoying her more frequently".
It was John F. Kennedy who renamed her "HONEY FITZ"...and enjoyed her to the fullest! Christmas and Easter on board in Palm Beach. Summers in Rhode Island. Kennedy's love for the water and boating exceeded every President. A close Kennedy advisor once quoted the president during a Palm Beach Winter Cruise..."This sure beats a Ferry Ride to Nantucket doesn't it"???
In fact, Jacqueline Kennedy herself redecorated the yacht for the first time since 1931, including the installation of the first "Color TV" on board for the enjoyment of the children.
President Lyndon Johnson refused to rename her. And used the yacht only for the occasional "cocktail party".
President Nixon renamed the yacht PATRICIA after his wife. Then put her up for sale in 1970, as a symbol of government waste.
There were so many "restrictions" to the sale, she failed to receive any viable bids. HONEY FITZ eventually fell into disrepair under several owners, before being rescued.
And that's all I know.
