Monday - 8 August 1938 
The sound of hammers nailing up boxes, and the sight 
of passageways lined with trunks and bags brought home the sad 
realization that the Presidential Cruise, 1938, on the U.S.S. Houston, 
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is nearly over. It was with heavy hearts that each member of the 
Party stuffed his belongings into his luggage preparatory to the 
morrow ' s disembarkation • 
Flat seas, warm moist air, with just a suggestion of a 
bree e from the southward prevailed during the day. The temperature 
was agreeably lowered once during the forenoon by passage through 
a tropical squall, with its concomitant torrential downpour. 
But as soon as "Old Sol" returned to his tropical work in full force 
the humidity was greatly enhanced by the steam arising from canvas 
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ana other fittings about the ship® 
During the afternoon* on the Communication Platform* the 
President completed his draft of speeches to be made on his forth- 
coming train-trip * and was quite ready by dinner time to forget 
serious official business and to engage in the usual table 
bandinage which characterizes all meals in the Presidential Mess® 
objects 
Fresh objects for sly digs were present this evening when Captain 
Barker and Dr# Schmitt joined the Mess for dinner at the Presidents 
invitation# 
hot* 
A short and gracious speech after the movies* by the 
Commander-in-Chief* was greeted gleefully by the officers and crew O j t 
ending the festivities for this evening* 
Pa attempted to woo sleep in his stateroom* but gave up 
after a short trial and steamed topside like an enraged Dull* *«h eu 
