For the club records the following is the summary 
caught by the President and his party at Cocos: 
of Sailfishes 
Caught By 
The President 
"Doc" 0 1 Connor 
Fred Adams 
Pa Watson 
Ross Mclntire 
Dan Callaghan 
Length 
9 ' 6 " 
9 ' 6 " 
9’ 7" 
10’ li" (He claims 2") 
9 ' 74" 
9 T 7" 
Weight 
in Pounds 
100 
105 
120 
130 
1204 
99 
P.S. The above figures speak more eloquently than 1 could. In 
nassing I'd like to bring out that my fish was weighed in after dehydra- 
Z • RMW 
tion. - Ci J LVV • 
Thursday 4 August 
During the forenoon the President and members of his party spent their 
time at leisure having risen and breakfasted at a later hour than usual be- 
cause of no fishing in prospect for the day. Meanwhile, the Presidential 
Detachment continued on courses for Balboa, passing through several heavy 
squalls . 
While luncheon was in progress Army bombers and fighters roared over- 
head in welcome to the President, terminating their maneuvers as the Houston 
reached the outer channel buoys about 1250. Much to the gratification of 
Pa, Fort Amador fired a national salute with precision as the Houston stood 
up the channel. In the turning basin off the Balboa docks, the Houston was 
turned through 130 degrees and backed alongside Pier 18 (starboard side to.) 
Mooring was completed at 1415. Shortly thereafter the President received 
representatives of the national press associations with a goodly sprinkling 
of local press representatives. 
A White House mail pouch was received aboard during the press confer- 
ence on the completion of which the President studied the papers and docu- 
ments forwarded. This official duty was cleared up by 1515, thus freeing 
the President for the afternoon's tea party in honor of the President of 
Panama, and the subsequent receptions of Delegations of Canal Zone "Old 
Timers" and of the Zone Labor Councils. The President also received the 
Rt. Rev. John J. Maiztequi, Catholic Archbishop of Panama. 
Promptly at 1630, President J. D. Arosemena of Panama came aboard and 
was received with full honors (except salute - dispensed with because of 
Zone regulations) . He was followed at short intervals by other distingu- 
ished guests who had been invited to the President's "Tea". Among these 
guests were the following: 
Secretary of Government and Justice (Panama) Leopoldo Arosemena 
Governor and Mrs. Clarence S. Ridley 
Dr. Frank P. Corrigan (American Minister to Panama) 
Dr. and Mrs. Harmodio Arias (Former President of Panama) 
Rear Admiral and Mrs. W. N. Vernou (Commandant 15th Naval District) 
Rear Admiral Yancey Williams (Commander Special Service Squadron) 
Major General and Mrs. David L. Stone (Com. Gen. Panama Canal Dept.) 
Dr. and Mrs. Augusto Boyd ( Minister of Panama to the United States) 
The President's Mess at dinner tonight was sadly depleted - the Presi- 
dent insisted that the other six members dine ashore which was finally, 
though reluctantly done. Dinner at "El Rancho" opened a "large" evening 
during the course of which Pa startled his compatriots (and other onlookers) 
by an exhibition of the "Art of Terpsichore" that was wonderful to behold 1 
Ross, too, "shook a wicked leg" for a few short encores. Having exhausted 
the entertainment possibilities of "El Rancho" by twelve thirty (a.m.) 
18 - 
other and fresher pastures were sought. Four of the six members hied 
themselves to a (in) famous and internationally known night club for the 
closing hours of the night's frolic. 
Friday 5 August 
Promptly at 1030 today the President disembarked from the Houston 
for a tour of inspection of the Canal Zone and environs. He was accom- 
panied by the President of Panama and by various Civil, Military and Naval 
Officials. The forenoon automobile ride on the west side of the Canal, 
across the Pedro Miguel locks, and through Ancon revived the spirits of 
the "six-man formation" of the Presidential Party - whose spirits were a 
bit on the droopy side at the outset of the drive. 
A delicious luncheon tendered the President by the Governor and Mrs. 
Ridley was enjoyed thoroughly by all hands. The spirits mentioned in the 
above paragraph as being a bit droopy were restored practically to normal- 
cy by the succulent dishes which comprised the various courses of the 
luncheon. 
Embarkation on the special Trans-Isthmian train was completed at 1436. 
Everyone was intensely interested in the various Canal points of importance 
pointed out during the train ride. At 1620 the President and his party 
disembarked at Colon and entered waiting automobiles. A drive through the 
following points was then taken: Colon, France Field, Naval Air Station, 
Submarine Base, Fort Randolph, Fort Davis and finally to the Upper Gatun 
Locks where, at 1800, the President re-embarked in the Houston. The latter 
and the escort ship McDougal then proceeded through the remaining Gatun 
Locks and at 1920 passed the Colon Breakwater and set course for Old Provi- 
dence Island. 
As a result of his tour of inspection at the Canal Zone the President 
expressed himself as being impressed with the strides made during the past 
three years in improving the defenses of the Zone, one of the most import- 
ant of our national areas. The military bearing of the troops and naval 
units inspected and the excellent condition of their equipment also drew 
commendatory remarks from the President. 
All members of the Party voted the day as most interesting and in- 
structive, but all breathed a sigh of contentment and relaxation when "home" 
was again boarded. 
As an aftermath of the "night-before". Pa was reputed to have received 
a most endearing telegram while crossing the Isthmus by train. The fact 
that Pa had been inducted, apparently, as a charter member of the Hollywood 
"Movie Colony" was a source of much amusement to the remainder of the Party. 
Saturday 6 August 
It had been intended to anchor off Catalina Harbor, Old Providence 
Island, by 1000 on this day. But the Island on approach was completely 
blotted out by a driving rain squall, so the Presidential Detachment slowed 
in order to obtain proper navigational fixes prior to anchoring. At 1026 
the Houston anchored in eight fathoms of water. 
About one mile inshore of Houston anchorage lay the Colombian destroy- 
er Caldas full-dressed in compliment to President Roosevelt. A boarding 
officer from this vessel came aboard Houston at 1040, and at 1135 her com- 
manding officer, Capitan de Fragata R. Round ell, boarded the Houston to pay 
his respects to the President who received him and chatted informally with 
him for some fifteen minutes and arranged to pick him up later for a lish- 
ing excursion. This Colombian destroyer skipper proved to be a most enter- 
taining and likable chap - a retired British Naval officer who, because of 
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