Shortly after the cruise commenced 
certain members of the HOUSTON personnel conceived 
the idea of publishing a book which would relate graph- 
ically all of the interesting incidents happening on board 
our ship. 
A committee was appointed which 
immediately began the task of gathering necessary photo- 
graphs and news items. Many problems presented them- 
selves — arrangements for the needed paper, ink, plates, 
material and their delivery. The changes in sailing orders 
made delivery of the plates doubly uncertain but at last 
everything was ready and the book went to press. 
We trust that the following pages 
will keep alive fond memories of a happy cruise with 
as grand a shipmate it has ever been our privilege to 
meet. 
Scuttlebutt 
i 
HOW IT ALL STARTED 
It must have been as early as 15 May that the Executive Officer’s 
Boy whispered into the ear of the Bos’n Mate on Watch that the 
Captain’s Steward told him that maybe, perhaps, the Houston would 
be honored with the privilege of embarking President Franklin D. Roose- 
velt for the third time. Those members of the crew who served on board 
when the Houston carried the President from Annapolis, Maryland to 
Portland, Oregon via the West Indies, Columbia, Canal Zone, Cocos Island, 
Clipperton Island and Hawaiian Islands in 1934, and again from San 
Diego, California to Charleston, South Carolina via Cocos Island, Canal 
Zone, and the West Indies, awaited with pleasurable anticipation the 
confirmation of the above rumor. Others who had not the privilege of 
being attached then also eagerly awaited the news. 
Official confirmation was slow in coming but the signs were in the 
air. On 7 June the Houston weighed anchor for Mare Island. On our 
arrival, the yard force began the installation of much special gear. 
During our stay there the appearance of the ship was enhanced by the 
coordinated efforts of all hands and the already well-known reputation 
of the U.S.S. Houston as a smart ship was advanced to the nth degree. 
On the morning of 7 July the Houston left Mare Island and later in 
the day anchored in San Francisco Bay. Early risers reading the “Orders 
for the Day” were greeted by the following 
7 July, 1938. 
DOMAIN OF NEPTIJNUS-REX 
RULER OF THE RAGING MAIN 
MOST SECRET ROYAL CHAMBERS 
GREETINGS! ! ! ! ! 
Royal and trusted shellbacks : 
A peasant rumor has come to me via the most royal scuttlebutt 
that it will, once again, be my privilege to welcome the U. S. S. HOUSTON. 
With pleasurable anticipation I, Her Majesty the Queen, the Royal 
Princess, the Royal Baby, and my Royal Entourage await the moment When 
the Houston will again enter my treasured and secret domain. 
Long John Silver, my most honorable and efficient secret emissary has 
been directed to contact my trusted and royal shellbacks on board the 
Houston. 
Done this 7th day of July, 1938. 
In the ‘eon’ year of my reign. 
It is recorded in the eternal archives 
/s/ Davy Jones, Royal Scribe. 
To the Shellback contingent this notice was greeted with much glee. 
The pollywogs, apparently deciding not to believe their eyes, remained 
indifferent. 
7 — 
