Walter Hill at his desk

Wed, Apr 28th 2021 at 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

The Oval Office Desk?????

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The Resolute desk was a present to the US President from Queen Victoria as a symbol of the special relationship between the US and the UK, but why? Rotarian Walter Hill explained.

After Franklin’s expedition to find the Northwest passage had disappeared without trace, four Royal Navy vessels were sent to the Arctic to search for clues. They found nothing. However, three of the vessels became trapped in the ice, were abandoned and the crews repatriated. When the ice melted, one ship, HMS Resolute, broke free and drifted unmanned for 1000 miles. It was spotted by an American whaler whose captain claimed ownership by right of salvage. The Resolute was later purchased by the US government, refurbished and returned as a gift to the UK. When decommissioned, its timber was used for a partners desk, which Queen Victoria gifted to the US President.

Since then every President bar three has used the Resolute desk, generally in the Oval Office. It retains many interesting features but has had two changes. President Roosevelt’s callipers could be seen by visitors, so a door was fitted to prevent this. President Reagan had the height raised by two inches to accommodate taller presidents. President Biden has retained the desk - his only apparent agreement with his predecessor.

Martin Passmore thanked Walter for a fascinating talk and mentioned that a replica of the Resolute desk can bought – if you have several thousand dollars to spare!

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