Video: 'American Experience The Kennedys 1' (Kennedy departs at 26:36)

(Wednesday, February 23, 1938) — Joseph P. Kennedy Sr., the new United States Ambassador to Great Britain, sailed for his post today from New York Harbor aboard the 24,189-ton luxury liner SS Manhattan.

Kennedy’s five daughters and three of his four sons were at the pier to wish him von voyage (the fourth son, John F. Kennedy, the future president, had a cold and Rose Kennedy, the ambassador’s wife, was recovering from an appendectomy).

Video: '"KENNEDYS DON'T CRY" (1975)' (Kennedy on arrival in England at 9:06)