1930 USS Williamsburg Presidential Yacht, 243' The USS Williamsburg was originally the yacht "Aras"(Sara backward). She was constructed by the Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine, for Mr. Hugh J. Chisholm, and was launched on December 8, 1930. The yacht ARAS had her trial trip on January 10, 1931 and had 614 net tonnage; length 243 feet, 9 inches; breadth 36 feet, 1 inch; depth moulded amidship 21 feet, 10 inches.
She was acquired by the U.S. Government on April 24, 1941 and renamed the USS Williamsburg PG-56. When President Truman assumed office the USS Potomac had been condemned by the Navy Department as being unfit for duty in open waters and recommended using the U.S.S Williamsburg as the Presidential yacht. President Truman accepted the recommendation and on November 10, 1945 took her first cruise as the Presidential Yacht. President Truman made several short cruises down the Potomac. On August 16, 1946 the USS Williamsburg departed Washington, D.C. with President Truman on board, for a trip to Quonset Point, Rhode Island. On August 20, 1946 she got underway for Bermuda in company with the USS WEISS returning to Washington September 2, 1946.

President Truman entertained several foreign leaders aboard the yacht; May 1, 1947, President Migual Aleman of Mexico; December 5, 1950, Prime Minister Clement R. Attlee and January 5, 1952, Prime Minister Winston Churchill. The Navy manned the Williamsburg with 8 officers, 130 men and 26 stewards.

Currently she is in a sad state of repair. The price includes total refurbishment of all of her structures.




For more information, or to view this Yacht call Craig Timm,