United States

Mathis Yacht Building Co

The 32-metre former American presidential yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/9087" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="USS Sequoia32.0m (104'12&quot;)Mathis Yacht Building Co1925">USS Sequoia</a> was spotted in Cambridge, Maryland for possible renovations. Delivered in 1925 and built by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/3718" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Mathis Yacht Building Co (Company)">Mathis Yacht Building Co</a>, the motor yacht was originally set to be renovated in 2019, in Belfast, Maine but has returned to Cambridge, after first visiting in 1935.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/292401/image/large-708ff5f81d43acc523350482ac69eafe.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/292401">While <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/9087" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="USS Sequoia32.0m (104'12&quot;)Mathis Yacht Building Co1925">Sequoia</a> appears to be in the same condition as she was when transported to Belfast four years ago, the Richardson Maritime Center is reportedly set to participate in the revitalisation of this yacht. The Richardson site houses the Ruark Boatworks history museum and the museum has been planning on a new building to house its exhibits, such as the restoration of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/9087" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="USS Sequoia32.0m (104'12&quot;)Mathis Yacht Building Co1925">Sequoia</a>.&nbsp;While the yacht’s owner reportedly hopes <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/9087" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="USS Sequoia32.0m (104'12&quot;)Mathis Yacht Building Co1925">Sequoia</a> will be restored for use on the water, for cruises and charters and even exhibits, Cambridge may be the yacht’s home whilst undergoing refits and repairs.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/292402/image/large-63a037824d37e103d467adafc72ddfaf.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/292402">The classic motor yacht was originally used as a private yacht owned by Philadelphia banker Richard Cadwalader before being purchased by the United States government in 1931. The following years saw some of America’s most famous presidents stay onboard <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/9087" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="USS Sequoia32.0m (104'12&quot;)Mathis Yacht Building Co1925">Sequoia</a> including president Hoover, Roosevelt, Kennedy and Nixon and was often referred to as the “Floating White House”. The yacht was then sold by the American government in 1977 and declared a National Historic Landmark in 1987.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/102903/image/large-dca5cb56a877c78229997a7608c55d2a.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/102903"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/102901/image/large-d801ee3f95a9301a34d4f05aa72c51fa.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/102901">In 2019 the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5573" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="French & Webb Inc. (Company)">French &amp; Webb</a> shipyard was set to be responsible for the rebuild of the vessel, however COVID-19 delayed the construction process and the yacht was never restored. The restoration of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/9087" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="USS Sequoia32.0m (104'12&quot;)Mathis Yacht Building Co1925">Sequoia</a> is estimated to take over five years. The motor yacht is currently at the Richardson site which is next to the Yacht Maintenance facility and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/9087" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="USS Sequoia32.0m (104'12&quot;)Mathis Yacht Building Co1925">Sequoia</a>'s alleged renovations are set to enhance the area’s maritime history.

presidential Sequoia yacht moves to Maryland

The 32-metre former American presidential yacht Sequoia has moved to Cambridge, Maryland after four years in Belfast.

32m former presidential yacht Sequoia moves to Maryland for rumoured renovations

After years of legal disputes and delays, ‘America’s most famous boat’, the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/9087" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="USS Sequoia32.0m (104'12&quot;)Mathis Yacht Building Co">USS Sequoia</a>, is finally on her way to being rebuilt after the boat had fallen in disrepair in Virginia where she was based. The former American presidential yacht arrived in Belfast, Maine this week where restoration work will begin. <img src="/uploads/store/photo/102903/image/large-dca5cb56a877c78229997a7608c55d2a.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/102903">The first phase in the transport operation saw Wolfe House &amp; Building Movers load the 94-year-old 32-metre wooden yacht onto an inland barge to move the vessel to a coastal barge in Cambridge, Maryland from where the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/9087" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="USS Sequoia32.0m (104'12&quot;)Mathis Yacht Building Co">Sequoia</a> was shipped to Belfast. The French &amp; Webb boatyard will be responsible for the rebuild of the vessel which is expected to be done ‘plank by plank’ and can take up to four years according to the vessel’s owner, Equator Capital Group, in a <a href="https://www.pressherald.com/2019/10/20/historic-presidential-yacht-sequoia-coming-to-belfast-for-rebuild/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">recent article</a>. <img src="/uploads/store/photo/102902/image/large-26607ae3e78dfb707a3aa19825ad1938.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/102902"><img src="/uploads/store/photo/102899/image/large-2f0f15b972de352f4704f27aad00ecce.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/102899">It is expected that the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/9087" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="USS Sequoia32.0m (104'12&quot;)Mathis Yacht Building Co">Sequoia</a> will be returned to Washington D.C where it will be used as a floating venue that supports ocean conservation causes and as an American presidential teaching centre.&nbsp;<iframe width="710" height="390" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yQ56x3-1m54" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe>Built in 1925 by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/3718" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Mathis Yacht Building Co (Company)">John H. Mathis &amp; Company</a> in New Jersey, the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/9087" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="USS Sequoia32.0m (104'12&quot;)Mathis Yacht Building Co">Sequoia</a> was at first a private yacht owned by Philadelphia banker Richard Cadwalader and later Texan oil executive William Dunning before being purchased by the United States government in 1931 following the Great Depression. The following years saw some of America’s most famous presidents stay aboard the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/9087" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="USS Sequoia32.0m (104'12&quot;)Mathis Yacht Building Co">Sequoia</a> for official and personal trips including Hoover, Roosevelt, Kennedy and Nixon.<img src="/uploads/store/photo/102900/image/large-0eb1e10d5aa0cce7b6b84eda97b2302b.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/102900">After being sold by the American government in 1977, the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/9087" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="USS Sequoia32.0m (104'12&quot;)Mathis Yacht Building Co">Sequoia</a> has been under seven different ownerships and was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1987.&nbsp;<img src="/uploads/store/photo/102901/image/large-d801ee3f95a9301a34d4f05aa72c51fa.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/102901">

USS Sequoia arrives in Belfast for restoration

The former presidential yacht USS Sequoia arrived in Belfast, Maine this week where it will undergo a four-year restoration project. 

US presidential yacht Sequoia arrives in Belfast for rebuild

<img src="/uploads/store/photo/30210/image/large-ed0eca0f52bc1d2148b5dbb6b56e37c9.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/30210">Seen cruising along the Interstate Waterway in Palm Beach, South Florida yesterday during the Palm Beach International Boat Show was the 31.5-metre classic motor yacht Freedom. Built in 1926 by Mathis Yacht Building in Camden, New Jersey, this American icon was restored in 2009 McMillen Yachts in Portsmouth after years of neglect had left the vessel in bad shape. Freedom is a near sistership to the presidential yacht Sequoia that was built for President Hoover of the United States and which served another seven presidents after him.Photo by SuperYacht Times