The USS Potomac, also known as FDR's "Floating White House," has been cruising San Francisco Bay since 1995. Over that period, more than a quarter-million visitors have come aboard.

Five million dollars was spent during a 12-year period to restore the 165-foot-long vessel as a memorial to the president who authored the New Deal and led the United States during the Great Depression and the World War II years.

The Potomac docks at the Port of Oakland at the foot of Water Street, and there is a visitor center in the Port of Oakland building, where visitors are shown video documentaries about the man and his presidency.

A National Historic Landmark, the Potomac is open Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays for dockside tours. History cruises on the Bay are offered periodically.

According to Executive Director Marti Burchell, the next special history cruise is scheduled for Thursday, and she says space is still available for those who would like to sign up.

"This will be a cruise like no other," said Burchell. "We have invited some interesting characters from Oakland and San Francisco's past. I don't think all these folks have ever been all together in one place and at the same time."

Scheduled to be on board are Emperor Norton, Lilly Coit, Alma Spreckles, Jack London and that wily rascal Horace Walpole Carpentier, Oakland's first mayor. "Of course FDR himself will be presiding over the day,"

During his presidency, Roosevelt was known to take frequent R & R aboard the refitted Coast Guard cruiser, entertaining Washington luminaries and heads of state, including Britain's King George VI and his wife, Queen Elizabeth. After Roosevelt's death, his beloved yacht changed hands a number of times before coming to Oakland.

"We certainly hope Mr. Carpentier is on his best behavior for our cruise," said Burchell. "Our history files tell us he once laid claim to the entire Waterfront, and the citizens of Oakland had a heck of a time getting it away from him."

According to the files, Carpentier (1824-1918) came to California during the gold rush after graduating from Columbia University in New York with a law degree. Carpentier formed a partnership with two other speculators and entered into leases with Vicente Peralta, son of Don Luis Peralta, the holder of the Spanish land grant Rancho San Antonio, which consisted of 44,000 acres of cattle grazing land (encompassing much of today's northern Alameda County). The files say Carpentier used various legal maneuvers to wrest the property away from the Peraltas.

In 1854, through his efforts, the town of Oakland was incorporated in Sacramento, and Carpentier was elected Oakland's first mayor. Carpentier amassed quite a fortune during his years in Oakland, but his legal trickery earned him the undying hatred of many of those he dealt with. He eventually left town and returned to the East, and when he died at the ripe old age of 93, he left the bulk of his estate to his alma mater, Columbia University; at least that's what the history files say.

"Maybe its time to let Horace tell his side of the story," said Burchell. "Sign up for our cruise and come find out."

The yacht sets off from the dock for the three-hour cruise at 10:30 a.m. Tickets may be purchased in advance through www.potomac.org, or call 510-627-1215. A special Veterans Day cruise is also being offered Nov. 11. Check the Web site for details.

Reach Annalee Allen at ldmksldy@aol.com.