Dearborn independent. [volume], October 15, 1921, Page 3, Image 3

About Dearborn independent. [volume] (Dearborn, Mich.) 1901-1927

Image provided by: Central Michigan University, Clark Historical Library

                
Our Floating White House
Hnittiip nili iL i flS9
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Too le.t President and Mr.. Harding and friend, waving goodby from the deck of the Mayflower; right-Commander B1 on L. Holmes, of the President's yacht, the Mayflower.
v' Center, left The Mayflower; right Smoking room. Bottom, left Dining room: n Reception room.
NO PRESIDENT nor Mistress of the White House ever has had
so much rest and pleasure out of week-end yatching as the Hard
ings Scarcely a week goes by that they do not embark on the
beautiful government-Owned boat, the Mayflower, known everywhere as
the President's yacht, and cruise down the historic Potomac into Chesa
peake Bay, Visiting here or time as fancy dictates
There's nothing selfish nor exclusive about these Mayflower trips.
Neither the President nor Mrs. Harding are the sort of people who like
to herd bv themselves in lonesome aloofness. Being real genuine, whole
souled human beings, they thoroughly enjoy the good old-faihionec art
of being neighborly and sociable as practiced in typical small American
u wns where everybody knows each other by his first name. n this
delightful respect the Hardin! haven't changed the least bit since eav.ng
th little town of Marion. Ohio. The elevation to the position of chiet
exec ve and America's first lady, has not, in the leastwise, turned the
K M and Mrs. Harding. They never dream t,?h;
yachting trip without inviting as many friends to be their guests as tne
hmt will comfortably accommodate. . ,
The frc " use of the Mayflower during the past wring and summer
has Bi c .7 . lual prominence in the press of the country, arousing the
curiosuy of the public as to the history, general appearance and deta.l
of the noted craft. - CimAmn fVilH New
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s&ssr. :i aft t tssrsJyrsi''S
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dent of the tinted States. . , . the breadth
The boat is of fair size, the water line being .75 leet t e
36 feet, and draft 17 feet 4 inches. Her water displacement
tons. She makes an average speed of 14.2 knots an hour. It requires a
large crew of officers and men to keep the Mayflower in readiness
for sailing at any hour of the day or night. It is always spick and
span in appearance, the decks and every nook and corner being as clean
and shiny as a bride's kitchen or a nurse's collar. Many a present-day
wife could get some valuable housekeeping pointers in the way of neat
ness and cleanliness from the sailor methods aboard the Mayflower. It is
quite evident that there is never any stinginess in the use of soap, water,
scrub-brushes, brooms and elbow grease.
The reception room is as cozy and comfortable as any to be found in
a private home. There is an abundance of big cushiony chairs and
couches. For the musically inclined there is a beautiful piano and a
victrola. It is quite evident, however, that the Harding! and their
friends have little or no patience with the jazz junk with which the
world is so sorelv afflicted. On a little table near tne piano are nan a
dozen hymn books and a large volume of old-tashioned songs, sucn as
"Silver Threads Among the Gold." "The Old Oaken Bucket," "Dixie.
"Swanee River." "Annie Laurie." "Good Bye My Lover, Good Bye." "My
Home, and "Home. veet Home. tfotn tne nymnais ana
OM k'riiriirLv
the popular song volume look very much the worse for wear, clearly
indicating that many a happy afternoon and evening have been spent in
the reception room.
Just one glance at the dining room is enough to make anyone ieel as
though he had been meallcss for a week or more. It is by all odds,
the most fascinating part of the boat. This room extends the full width
of the yacht and is as richly furnished as the best hotel in the land.
The smoking room is as comfortable and palatial as the ones to be found
on popular ocean liners. .
Taking it all in all. the Mayflower makes it possible for the Presi
dent to have a floating White House that is virtually as comfortable
in its appointments as the celebrated mansion in Washington.
The man who is responsible for keeping the Mayflower in deep water
and awav from jutting rocks or shoals is Commander Balston L. Holmes,
of the United States Navy. Commander Holmes saw much active service
during the World War.