inability "to make a go of it ashore" had accepted a commission in the 
Colombian Navy. . . „ . 
On the return of a preliminary reconnaissance party from the ship in 
charge of Lieutenant Holbrook, a report about the interesting ruins of 
an old Spanish fort on Catalina Island was rendered to the President. This 
particular fort played quite a part in the buccaneering days of Sir Harry 
Morgan who used the "Island of Providencia" as his refit base for forays 
against Panamanian ports. , \ n 
Four of the "six-man formation" (Presidential Party) devoured an early 
luncheon and headed on an exploring expedition to the fishing village . 
the Island. They were back in a little more than an hour, hot and satis- 
fied that they were not numbered among the local inhabitants. Pa came back 
from this trip seeking the professional services of Ross. It appears that 
the boat coxswain committed a slight error of judgement in making the boat 
landing in the town with the result that the boat "brought— to" with extreme 
suddenness, catapulting Pa "through the air with the greatest of ease" and 
bringing his chest in violent contact with a thwart. His "sympathetic" com- 
panions in the boat, so ’tis told, were most concerned over Pa’s injury. 
But frequent and odiferous applications of Panamanian "Eau d’ Cologne" eased 
the pain and brought about rapid convalescence (so says Pal) 
The President accompanied by Ross and Dan, embarked in the motor whale- 
boat for a look at the town, picking up Capitan Roundell of the Caldas en— 
route. At the town pier, above-mentioned, the President was greeted by the 
Alcalde, the Port Captain and other local officials. Departure from the 
dock was made in a tropical downpour thoroughly wetting the President and 
his "boat-mates" despite "sou ’ westers" . A short stop was made at a beach 
on Catalina Island from which Ross, Capittm Roundell and Dan Scrambled up- 
hill t hr oughbr ambles to take a "look-see" at the ruins of the Spanish Fort 
previously mentioned. The exploring party returned to the President’s boat 
full of scratches and mud, and literally covered with ants. 
Indifferent success met the President’s fishing excursion on the shoals 
off Catalina Island, so, after landing Capitan Roundell on his vessel, the 
President returned to the ship. The Presidential Detachment got underway 
for Pensacola at 1800. 
A very clever "take-off" on a Radio Broadcast show was presented by the 
ship's company after dinner for the edification of all hands. It was very 
well done and thoroughly enjoyed by the President and his party. 
Sunday 7 August 
A quiet day, this Sunday I The usual Caribbean _ ’’mugginess’’ obtained 
to the detriment of physical exertion. Beyond dressing after a late break- 
fast, attending church services at 1030 and proceeding to the table for two 
full meals, the maximum physical exercise undertaken by the members of the 
President’s Party was that attendant upon lifting themselves on to and off 
their bunks for a dripping afternoon siesta. 
The President alone was busy during the afternoon remaining at his 
desk to draft his speeches to be delivered during the trip from Pensacola 
to Washington. 
Throughout this day the Houston and McDougal proceeded on courses for 
Pensacola, the terminal point of this memory evoking cruise. 
With no prospects of further fishing in the offing Pa insisted on col- 
lecting from the losers and paying the winners in the "fish derby" main- 
tained during the cruise. 
Strange are the ways of the angler l Pa, who claims honors for landing 
the largest fish of each of the species Tuna, Grouper and Sailfish (which 
claim is admittedly correct i) was one of the prominent losers principally, 
however, through his side-waters with various members of the party. 
-20 
The President 
and 
His Party 
"Doc" O’Connor really "gave the party" and after the "pay-off" proclaimed 
his stringent financial status by erecting the following sign over the 
door leading to his stateroom: 
’ 77B 
’ BANKRUPTCY 
’ B. 0’C 
’ 8/7/38 
One doubts the veracity of the signl 
Monday 8 August 
The sound of hammers nailing up boxes and the sight of passageways 
lined with trunks and bags brought home the sad realization that the Presi- 
dential Cruise, 1938, on the U.S.S. Houston, was 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 breeze from the 
southward prevailed during the day. The temperature was agreeably lowered 
once during the afternoon by passage through a tropical squall with its con- 
comitant torrential downpour. But as soon as "Old Sol" returned to his tro- 
pical work in full force the humidity was greatly enhanced by the steam 
arising from canvas and other moist fittings about the ship. 
During the afternoon, on the Communication Platform, the President 
completed his draft of speeches to be made on his forthcoming 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. Fresh subjects for sly digs were present this evening 
when Captain Barker and Dr. Schmitt joined the Mess for dinner at the Presi- 
dent’s invitation. 
- 21 - 
