November 12th, 1943

Transcript

Times Log Location Source

3:36am

The USS Potomac anchored off Cherry Point, VA, near the mouth of the Potomac river, to await the transfer of FDR and his party. Some five miles distant, farther out in the bay, the massive USS Iowa could be seen riding at anchor.

Cherry Point, VA

TRP

8:30am

The USS Potomac got under way to go alongside the USS Iowa

USS Potomac

TRP

8:51am

The USS Potomac went alongside the USS Iowa, to starboard, and the transfer of the party was begun. The bay was very smooth at this point and the transfer was made expeditiously and without incident.

USS Potomac

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9:16am

FDR left the USS Potomac and went aboard the USS Iowa, using his special brow which was rigged from the after sun deck of the USS Potomac to the main deck of the USS Iowa, just abreast of the USS Iowa's #3 turret. This arrangement afforded a safe and comfortable transfer for FDR. At his request, no honors were rendered as he came on board theUSS Iowa. Due to war-time restrictions, his flag was not broken in the USS Iowa.

USS Iowa

TRP

9:45am

The USS Potomac shoved off and shortly afterwards left for a secret destination in company with the SC664. Destination to be selected by the senior officer and to remain out of sight and incommunicado for not less than 1 week. Give impression FDR was on board. On board: Gen. George C. Marshall, Adm. Ernest J. King, Gen. Henry H. Arnold, Somervill, Handy, Cooke, Bieri, Badger, Kuter, Hansel, Bessell, Smith, Freseman, Royal, Doyle, Burrough, Long, Chapman, Miller, Morgan, Block, Larson, Anamosa.

USS Iowa

TRP

9:51am

The USS Iowa got underway to proceed to Hampton Roads, VA, where she was to fuel ship and be joined by her anti-submarine screening destroyers before departing on the main leg of the journey. Because of her deep draft and the resultant restricted waters of the Chesapeake Bay, she had come to the rendezvous very light in the water.

USS Iowa

TRP

1:00pm

FDR and members of his mess had lunch at 1:00 p.m., and spent a quiet afternoon.

USS Iowa

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5:43pm

Once underway, the USS Iowa proceeded on various courses and at various speeds to Hampton Roads, VA and at 5:43 pm, anchored in Berth "B".

USS Iowa

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6:00pm

Lt. (jg) R. W. Bogue, USNR, and Lt. (jg) O. S. Collins, Jr., USNR, (White House Map Room watch officers) came on board with official mail from Washington, DC. This mail, which contained H.R.3366 and S.J. Resolution 95, was acted on by FDR.

USS Iowa

TRP

6:30pm

(dinner) Capt. McCrea was the only guest.

USS Iowa

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6:45pm

Lt's. Bogue and Collins left the USS Iowa at 6:45 pm to return the mail to the White House.

USS Iowa

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7:12pm

The tanker USS Housatonic came alongside to starboard to fuel the USS Iowa.

USS Iowa

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7:35pm

The tanker USS Escalante moored alongside to port to assist in fueling the USS Iowa.

USS Iowa

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8:30pm

Movies in FDR's quarters. Gen's. George C. Marshall, H. H. Arnold and Somervell, and Adm. Ernest J. King were guests for the movies that night and every other night of the passage.

USS Iowa

TRP

9:55pm

Fueling from the USS Escalante was completed at 9:55 pm. USS Escalante departed immediately after task was completed.

USS Iowa

TRP

10:20pm

After fueling completed, USS Housatonic departed. Harry L. Hopkins, Gen. George C. Marshall, Gen. Henry H. Arnold, Adm. William D. Leahy, Adm. Ernest J. King, and other prominent guests requested to remain under cover during fueling to conceal presence of FDR on board. Features and background of USS Iowa noted. FDR occupied Captain's quarters. Harry L. Hopkins, Adm. William D. Leahy and others were members of his mess. Noted where other guests and ship members stayed.

USS Iowa

TRP

ER

In Washington, DC

USH

Houseguest

Diana Hopkins' birthday party (4:30). Movie and supper (17). ER received guests in the Blue Parlor.

USH

USH = White House Usher's Diary, STE = Stenographer's Diary, PC = Press Conference, TU = Tully's Appointment Diary

These transcripts are based on archival sources documenting President Roosevelt's daily activities, including the White House Usher's Log and the White House Stenographer's Diary. The transcripts were created for reference purposes. Because errors can occur in data entry, we encourage you to review and cite to the original sources displayed below.

 
 
 

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