Defoe Shipbuilding Company as a Presidential Yacht. It was called the "Barbara Anne" by President Eisenhower after his granddaughter, the "Honey Fitz" by President Kennedy in honor of his maternal grandfather John Francis Fitzgerald, and the "Tricia" by President Nixon after his daughter. In 1941, the name of the company was changed to Defoe Shipbuilding Company. During World War II, all production went to the war effort. From 1939 to 1945, the company built 154 ships, including four s, 13 destroyer escorts, 11 destroyer transports (converted destroyer escorts), patrol craft, and numerous landing craft of various types. The brand-new Defoe family yacht even
Jefferson (yacht) Jefferson (yacht) Jefferson was the first American yacht. She was owned by George Crowninshield Jr. The yacht was primarily a pleasure craft, but she also fulfilled other purposes, including that of a rescue vessel, a privateer during the War of 1812, and a fishing boat. "Jefferson" was the first American boat designed specifically to use as a yacht. The yacht was constructed in Salem in 1801 for Crowninshield. She was christened "Jefferson," named after the new U.S. President Thomas Jefferson. The next yacht of record was "Diver", made for John Cox Stevens in 1802. The following yachts were "Trouble", "Wave,"