-«a* 
Clipperton Island, 
tKe only coral atoll 
in Eastern Pacific 
Fifth day out 
Gunnery drills again. 
CLIPPERTON ISLAND 
At about 1030 the ship arrived off Clipperton Island, anchoring in 
75 fathoms of water with 150 fathoms of chain to the port anchor. Clip- 
perton Island is in direct contrast with Socorro, being flat, sandy and 
almost bare of vegetation except for a few scattered palm trees. 
The Presidential Party went fishing mostly for the benefit of the 
sharks. Making a strike was the equivalent of ordering dinner for them. 
However, several of them made the mistake of trying to eat the hook in 
addition to making away with the catch, the result being that numerous 
sharks met their doom. Mr. Early removed a 160 lb shark from circula- 
tion, it being the largest catch of the day. A large number of Jacks, 
Groupers and three rare winged Trigger fish were also landed. 
POLLYWOGS ORGANIZE 
The fact that the pollywogs were no longer jesting was borne out 
later in the morning vffien the Royal Detectives intercepted the Pollywogs’ 
first (and last) operation order. It was carefully mimeographed and 
distributed to only the most trusted Pollywogs. Perhaps it was through 
one of the above mentioned pusillanimous pollywogs that it fell into the 
hands of the opposition. It read as follows: 
U. S. S. HOUSTON 
Vicinity of Domain of Neptunus-Rex. 
RESTRICTED TO POLLYWOGS. 
POLLYWOG OPERATION ORDER NO. 1 
TASK ORGANIZATION 
(a) Group one. 
All pollywogs not in the following two groups. 
(b) Group two. 
Arresting party on forecastle. 
(c) Group three. 
Pollywog releasing party. 
— 20 — 
21 July. 
1 . 
2 . 
3. 
4. 
5. 
Pollywogs’ Operation Order No. 1 in effect at zero hour to be 
published later. 
This Operation Order is restricted to Pollywogs. If you catch 
a shellback in possession of this order lower the boom on 
him. If you catch any cowardly pollywogs informing shell- 
backs of the contents of this order, don’t lower the boom, drop 
it tlclX*ci 
(a) Group one will assemble in No. 3 Messing Compartment 
at 0800, 25 July. Following roll call and institution of 
court and retinue, all pollywogs will march in a body to the 
quarterdeck and seize throne and occupants and all in 
sight. Install new court. Court routine will be as fol- 
lows : 
(1) Arrest and trial of all cowardly pollywogs on official 
blacklist accused of cooperation with shellbacks. 
(2) Arrest and trial of King Neptune and court. 
(3) Arrest and trial of remaining shellbacks. 
Group two will be on forecastle at proper time to arrest and 
imprison Davy Jones and party. 
Group three will form at a predetermined place and time dur- 
ing early morning and commence to free all pollywogs impris- 
oned in chains, stocks, etc. 
Pollywog Executive Committee. 
LANDING FORCE 
A landing force was sent ashore about noon. A successful surf 
landing was effected and the party roamed the island for several hours. 
Two wild porkers were brought down by rifle fire. The smaller (a suck- 
ling pig) was returned to the ship and formed part of one of the Presi- 
dent’s meals. The larger boar, being too heavy, was left on the island 
as a silent warning to the rest of the pig population. 
At 1900 we were underway for the Domain of Neptunus-Rex and the 
Galapagos Islands. 
Wild Pig 
skot on Clipperton Is. 
— 21 
