4, 5, 6 August. 
Station KWCW broadcasts 
from quarterdeck 
19 Days out 
BALBOA, C.Z. 
At 1330 the Houston moored starboard side to the dock in Balboa, 
Panama. At 1515 liberty call was sounded and the crew went ashore on 
liberty for the first time since our stay in Oakland, California, at the 
beginning of the cruise. 
The President gave a reception on board the ship in honor of President 
Arosemena of Panama. Ranking officials of the Panamanian Government, 
the Canal Zone, the Army, and the Navy attended. After this the President 
received fifty “Old Timers” who worked on the Canal when it was being 
constructed. 
20 Days out 
Before the ship got underway to transit the Panama Canal, the Pres- 
ident left the ship for a motor tour of the isthmus. Lines were cast off 
at 1100 and the ship steamed slowly through the “Big Ditch”. 
At 1800 through intermittent downpours of rain the President board- 
ed the ship at Gatun Locks. Then the Houston started turning over its 
propellers, shortly rode to the swell of the Atlantic, and pointed its bow 
towards the North and Old Providence Island. 
21 Days out 
OLD PROVIDENCE ISLAND 
The Houston arrived at Old Providence Island at 1030. Official visits 
were exchanged with the Columbian Destroyer “Caldas”, and parties went 
ashore where they found the inhabitants of the island welcoming them 
with old world hospitality. Dr. Schmitt added valuable trophies to his 
already bulging trunks and luggage. 
In the evening the ship was entertained by a radio broadcast skit put 
on by various officers and members of the crew. This burlesque type of 
entertainment was much enjoyed by the President, his party, and the per- 
sonnel of the ship. 
— 60 — 
7, 8 August 
Divine Services 
on the Quarterdeck 
22 Days out 
Sunday was passed by attending Divine Services on the Quarter 
Deck. The ship steamed on toward Pensacola, Florida. 
23 Days out 
PRESIDENT PRAISES CREW 
After the movies the President expressed his appreciation of his 
cruise by giving the following talk to the Officers and crew of the Houston: 
“I want to take this opportunity to thank the officers and men of the 
Houston for a very wonderful trip. This is the third cruise I have taken on 
the Houston in the past four years. Every moment of the trip has been 
delightful. I feel the Houston is home. 
“I am very happy that this is an efficient ship, not only in a military 
sense but because it is a happy ship. I am suggesting to Captain Barker 
that when he joins the fleet he put an “F” on one stack and an “E” on the 
other stack for “Fishing Efficiency”. 
“We have a great record. Doctor Waldo Schmitt, Smithsonian 
Scientist tells me we have caught 60 different species of fish. Evidently 
we have contributed to science. 
“Some day when you come to Washington, go to the Smithsonian In- 
stitute and ask for Doctor Schmitt. He will give you a personally conducted 
tour and show you the fish you helped catch. 
“It has been fine to be with you and I want to tell you again that I 
hope that it won’t be the last. I want to be with you again next year.” 
Replying to the President, the Captain said — 
“On behalf of the officers and crew of the Houston, I should like to 
say that it has been a great pleasure for the ship’s company to have had 
you on board. It has been an honor for us to fly your flag at the main 
truck. We are looking forward to next winter in the hope that you will 
rejoin us and that we may be shipmates again. 
— 61 
