Friday 22 July 
An eighteen to twenty knot breeze moderated the warm weather as the 
Presidential Detachment, comprising the flagship Houston and Escort Ship 
McDougal continued their twenty— three knot jaunt toward the Galapagos 
Islands during the day. i , ,, , , 
A leisurely rising, a late breakfast, followed throughout the day by 
light reading, restful siestas, etc., occupied the members of the Presi- 
dential Party according to individual tastes. In the later afternoon cer- 
tain members of the Party tossed a medicine ball about to sharpen appe- 
tites for the forth-coming dinner or to assist in reducing the waistline. 
As the Domain of Neptunus Rex is approached it is remarkable to note 
the increasing tension pr evading the ship. The "Pollywogs" skulk in cor- 
ners and hie themselves with celerity from the immediate vicinity of scow- 
ling TT shellbacks " . Hectic preparations for the fitting and proper recep- 
tion of His Royal Majesty are the order of the day. Various hairy-chested 
and hardened "Shellbacks" are busily engaged in erecting platforms, test- 
ing electric chairs, sharpening surgical and barber’s instruments, etc., 
in anticipation of delivering the "Royal Works" to lowly "Pollywogs" dur- 
ing the initiation ceremonies. 
Table conversation in the Presidential Mess, subtly directed by the 
President himself, and ably seconded by Colonel Watson directs the atten- 
tion of the "Pollywog" members (Early, Adams, O’Connor) to the horrible de- 
tails of former initiations witnessed by the recounters or undergone by 
themselves. Tales of broken bones at the hands of the "Bears", or exqui- 
site torture under the implements of the "Royal Surgeon’’ , . etc . , regale the 
ears of the lowly ones; so that now, instead of the scoffing attitude ini- 
tially evident, the "Pollywogs" are lapsing into a state bordering on deep 
concern, hoping thereby to placate the "Royal Temperament" and win for 
themselves an easement of the "Royal Tortures". But - how vain the hope! 
(P.S. Steve Early, for the past few days, has associated almost ex- 
clusively with Navy Shellbacks. No one, of course, suspected that he was 
bootlicking the Court of King Neptune - - Oh, no!) 
EMW. 
Saturday 23 July 
Enroute to Tower Island in the Galapagos Group the Houston and the 
McDougal continued their passage this day at twenty- three knots, except 
for a short period during Captain’s Inspection when speed was reduced to 
fifteen knots in order to moderate topside apparent wind conditions thus 
facilitating the Inspection. While Captain Barker was conducting his usual 
eagle-eyed Saturday morning inspection several members of the President’s 
Party seized the opportunity to make a tour of the weather, main and second 
decks of the Houston and found much to interest them. Tasty samples from 
the Ship’s Galley and Bake Shop were furnished the visitors who made voluble 
and complimentary comments on the quality of the food served to the crew. 
"Davy Jones" watches were set at 1330, "Pollywog" lookouts being sta- 
tioned on top of No. 2 turret, in the eyes of the ship and on top of No. 
3 turret. Helmeted, clad in cold-weather flying suits and supplied with 
cumbersome "binoculars", the "landlubber" members of the Presidential Party 
furnished much amusement for the "Senior Shellback" and his "Shellback" 
aides, as they (the "Pollywogs") stood their lookout watches on No. 2 Tur- 
ret. Particularly tickling to the risibilities of the hardened onlookers 
were the varied and facetious "reports" (albiet most lubberly in context) 
rendered by the "lookouts". Pa’s hearty guffaws over such reports as: 
"Two burrowing shrimps on a seahorse," were highly infectious and heighten- 
ed the laughter which the sallies merited. 
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Secretary Early (right) and Mr. O’Connor 
"Look for Davy Jones" 
After dinner and the movies members of the Presidential Party retired 
to their several staterooms to indulge in reading, letter-writing and, 
eventually, good old-fashioned and welcomed "Sleep". 
Sunday 24 July 
The Houston and McDougal anchored this morning in thirty fathoms of 
water some fifteen hundred yards south of the entrance to Darwin Bay, Tower 
Island, Galapagos Group. Poor boating conditions with a southeasterly wind 
of force four blowing, and the uninviting appearance of the terrain led to 
the decision to forego fishing in this area. 
While at anchor off Darwin Bay, at 1000, Divine Services were conduct- 
ed on the quarterdeck by Lieutenant Trump, the Ship’s Chaplain. The ser- 
vices were attended by the President and all members of his party. 
"Doc" O’Connor complained on rising just in time to snatch a hasty 
breakfast before church, that he had been awakened by the staccato sound 
of hammers, and, on looking out of his after port was startled to note a 
scaffold being erected on the quarterdeck. He was informed that recalci- 
trant "Pollywogs" frequently were treated to a dose of the hangman’s noose 
to insure a tractable frame of mind. 
At 1114, after church services, the Presidential Detachment got under- 
way and proceeded to Sulivan Bay, on the east coast of San Salvador ^ James) 
Island where the Detachment anchored at 1440 in & sheltered anchorage. 
Immediately after anchoring the President and his Party embarked in the . 
fishing boats and for some three hours enjoyed excellent sport. Some fish 
of rare species were caught by the President while bottom fishing and 
Steve Early brought back a Golden Grouper. 
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