German Submarine Blockade Runners-- Part 1: To America

From Wikipedia:  The U-Boat Campaign World War I.

AMERICAN WATERS

In 1916, Germany completed two submarine merchant vessels to be used as blockade runners.  The aim was to carry high value goods to and from neutral nations like the United States who would trade with Germany.  The first of these submarines, the Deutschland sailed in the summer of 1916 and made a favorable impression in the United States.

She made an equally successful voyage in the autumn of that year.

--Cooter

There Was Another Armistice Ending Fighting in WW I: Armistice of Villa Giusti

While researching the 332nd U.S. Infantry Regiment, I came across an armistice between Italy and Austria-Hungary that ended fighting in the Italian Front a week before the better known 11th hour of the 11th month one ended fighting between Germany and the Allies.  See my July 25 entry in this blog.

From Wikipedia.

The Armistice of Villa Giusti ended fighting between the forces of Italy and Austria-Hungary on the Italian Front during World War I.  It was signed 3 November 1918, to take effect 24-hours later at 3 p.m. 4 November.

By the end of October 1918, the Austria-Hungarian Army was extremely fatigued and tired of the fighting, forcing its leaders to seek a cease-fire.  The Vittorio-Venito Offensive at the end of October sealed its fate as Austrian-Hungarian soldiers withdrew chaotically.

Even though the armistice was to start 3 November, Austrian-Hungarian commanders ordered their men to stop fighting 3 November.

--Cooter

U-156-- Part 3: Sank 28 Fishing Boats and Presumed Sunk By a Mine On Way Home

Afterwards, the U-156 headed north to attack the U.S. fishing fleet where it sank 21 ships in the Gulf of Maine area. ranging from the 72-ton schooner Nelson A on August 4 to the 766-ton Dornfonttein on August 2.

On August 5 it sank the tanker Luz Blanca off Halifax and captured the Canadian trawler  Triumph off Nova Scotia.  The crew manned and armed this ship and used it in conjunction with the submarine to capture and sink seven other fishing boats in the Grand Banks area. after which they scuttled the Canadian ship.

After that, the U-156 returned home, but hadn't reported by September 25 and in the days that followed  It is believed that the submarine was negotiating the Northern barrage Mine Field between the United Kingdom and Norway and it is presumed that she struck a mine and sank.

The British almost sank her after they  intercepted a message from it telling its course and a British submarine was sent out to attack  but the U-156 dove and got away.  But it never made it home, nor were any of her crew seen again.

Quite A Story.  --Cooter

Doughboys of 332nd Regt. to Italy-- Part 2: Vittoria-Venito Offensive

The American pilots served with Italian bombardment groups on bombing raids behind Austrian lines and were especially active during the  Vittorio-Venito Offensive.

The principal mission of the Americans was to build up Italian morale and depress the enemy's by making them think large numbers of Americans were getting ready to join the battle lines in Italy.  The 332nd first was given time to learn methods of mountain fighting which comprised a greater part of operations in the Italian theater of operations.

Moved up to the front lines, the 332nd stages constant movements during the day for Austrians to see, then went back at night and did it again, the next day.

They took part in the Vittorio-Venito Offensive 24 October-4 November 1918 in which Austrian troops were pushed back until an armistice was signed at 3 p.m. November 4, ending the fighting between the Austrian-Hungarians and Italians.

The unit was involved in peacekeeping duties after that until the 332nd was disbanded in 1919.

--Cooter

WW I Chronology, Doughboys to Italy, July 25, 1918-- Part 1

JULY 25, 1918

United States Doughboys of the 332nd Infantry Regiment arrive in Italy.

Three days later, the U.S. 331st  Field Hospital lands.

From Wikipedia 332nd Infantry Regiment, U.S..

The 332nd was formed  at Camp Sherman, Ohio, 30 August 1917 and was part of the 82nd Infantry Division.  They arrived in Europe in June 1918 and after going to France were told they were going to go to Italy.  They arrived there in July at the urgent request of the Italian government

In addition to them, 30 American ambulance sections, a base hospital and 54 pilots.

--DaCoot

U-156: Its Mine Sank the USS San Diego and It Shelled a Massachusetts Town

A mine they U-156 set is credited with sinking the armored cruiser USS San Diego, the largest warship the United States lost during World War I.

On July 21, 1918, the U-156 surfaced and fired shots at the town of Orleans, Massachusetts, and several nearby merchant vessels.  She sank a tugboat, the Perth Amboy, and four barges.  HS-1L flying boats and R-9 seaplanes were dispatched from Chatham Naval Air Station and dive bomber the U-156, but the bombs failed to explode.

The attack on Orleans was the only Central Powers attack on the U.S. mainland during the war. and it was the first time a foreign power's artillery had shelled the continental U.S. since the Siege of Fort Texas in 1846.  It was also the first time American pilots had engaged an enemy vessel in the West Atlantic.

A Lot of Firsts.  --Cooter

U-156-- Part 1: Originally Built to Carry Cargo Between the U.S. and Germany

From Wikipedia.

Was commissioned 22 August 19 1917.  Responsible for sinking 44 Allied ships (including one warship) and damaging three others.  It also was the German participant in the attack on Orleans, Massachusetts.

Was built in Bremen, Germany, one of the seven submarines built in the Deutschland-class designed to carry cargo between the United States and Germany.  Five of them, including the U-156 were converted into long-range cruiser U-boats with 5.9-inch deck guns.

On 15 June 1918, the U-156  slipped through the North Sea and into the Atlantic Ocean, heading for Long Island and then to New York harbor with orders to lay mines.  Records show that she lay a field of mines off the south shore of Long island just east of the Fire Island Lightship.

On 8 July it scuttled the Norwegian-owned Manx King

A mine laid by the U-156 is credited with sinking the armored cruiser USS San Diego on July 19, 1918, about ten miles southeast of Fire Island, New York.

--DaCoot

USS San Diego-- Part 4: Court of Inquiry Determines It Was a Mine

In August, the Navy Court if Inquiry appointed to investigate the loss of the cruiser concluded that the San Diego had been sunk by a mine..  Part of this was based on the fact that six contact mines had been found in the vicinity of where it sank.

The German submarine U-156 had earlier laid a number of mines along the south shore of Long Island and the sinking of the San Diego was attributed to her.

In 1999, a theory was advanced that a German spy by the name of Kurt Jahnke had planted explosives aboard the San Diego and caused its sinking.  This claim has been contested by the Naval Historical Center.

--Cooter

World War I Chronology, July 1918: Only Enemy Shells Fired on U.S. Coast

JULY 21, 1918--  ONLY ENEMY FIRE TO LAND IN AMERICA

German submarine U-18 fires at the United States tug Perth Amboy off the Orleans, Massachusetts coast.  It also fired at targets on the land.

The VFW April 2018 magazine had it as the U-18, but the U-18 was sunk in 1914.  Most likely, it was U-156 which fired on the American mainland.

--Cooter

USS San Diego-- Part 3: Still the Question: Mine or Torpedo

The USS San Diego was the only major warship lost by the United States in World War I.

The Navy Department was informed that a German submarine was operating off the  east coast of the U.S. and the U.S. Naval Air Service was put on alert.  Aircraft of the 1st Yale Unit, based at Bay Shore, Long Island, attacked what they thought was a submerged submarine, but it turned out to be the San Diego.

Captain Christy believed his ship had been sunk by a torpedo, but there was no evidence of a submarine operating in the area at the time, not did his lookouts see the wake of a torpedo.  It had been reported that dive or six mines had been found in the area.

But the thought was that had it been a mine, the explosion would have taken place at the San Diego's bow or forward part of the ship.  Experienced merchant ship captains believed a mine was probable because of the force of the explosion and how rapidly the ship sank.

--Cooter

USS San Diego Hits Mine-- Part 2: Off the U.S. Coast

The USS San Diego was recommissioned April 7 for use in World War I.  At first it operated in the Pacific before being ordered to the Atlantic.  Once there, the main job of the ship was to escort convoys across the North Atlantic to Europe.Ir was based out of Tompkinsville, New York, (Staten island) and Halifax, Nova Scotia.

An 18 July 1918, the San Diego was going to escort a convoy to France and its commander, Captain Harley H. Christy, ordered a zig-zag course with everyone on full alert for a submarine attack.  At 11:05 the next day, the ship was off Fire Island Lightship, N/Y/, when there was an explosion on the port side , well below the waterline.

Captain Christy thought his ship had been struck by a torpedo.  The San Diego began sinking rapidly and went below the water in 28 minutes.  Six men were killed.

--Cooter

--

World War I Chronology-- July 1918: USS San Diego Hits Mine and Sinks

JULY 19

The armored cruiser USS San Diego hits a mine and sinks off Fire Island, New York, with the loss of six lives.

The USS San Diego was originally the USS California (ACR-6) and later renamed USS San Diego to free up the name California for a new battleship.  Commissioned 1 August 1904.  503 feet 11 inches length, beam 69 feet 6 inches.  Main armament four 8-inch rifles, fourteen 6-inch rifles.

Was renamed USS San Diego on 1 September 1914 in order to free up the name for the battleship USS California (BB-44) which was later at Pearl Harbor when it was attacked in 1941.

Served in the Pacific fleet until a boiler explosion in January 1915 put her at Mare Island.  Ensign Robert Cary and Fireman Second Class Telesforo Trinidad received Medals of Honor for the event.  Afterwardsshe was a popular attraction at the Panama-California Exposition in San Diego, Ca. 1 January 1915 to Jan. 1, 1917.

She was put into reserve status shortly thereafter until the beginning of World War I.

--Cooter

Second Battle of the Marne July 18 to August 6, 1918: Began 100 Years Ago

The previous post mentioned this battle as the Aisne-Marne Offensive.

This was the last major German offensive on the Western Front during World War I.  The attack failed when an Allied counterattack, supported by several hundred tanks, overwhelmed the Germans on their right flank, inflicting many casualties.

The German defeat marked the beginning of the relentless Allied advance that resulting in the Armistice with  Germany about 100 days later.

There were, on the Allied side, 44 French, 8 American, 4 British and 2 Italian divisions,408 heavy guns, 360 field batteries and 346 tanks,

German strength:  52 divisions, 609 heavy guns and 1,047 field batteries

CASUALTIES:

France:  95,165 dead or wounded
Britain:  16,552 dead or wounded
USA:  12,00 dead or wounded
Italy:  9,00 dead or wounded

GERMAN CASUALTIES:

139,000 dead or wounded, 29,367 captured, 793 guns lost

Some Jawdropping Numbers.  --DaCoot

World War I Chronology, July, 1918 (100 Years Ago):

JULY 18 TO AUGUST 6

AISNE-MARNE OFFENSIVE.

U.S. 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 26th, 28th, 32nd  and 42nd Infantry Divisions, as well as the 41st Infantry Division Artillery and 83rd Infantry Division elements participate, a total of 250,000 Americans.

U.S. casualties:  6,992 KIA,  25,6644 WIA.

JULY 18-19

BATTLE OF SOISSONS

4th Marine Brigade throws back the last German offensive of the war, sustaining 1,972 casualties in 48 hours of fierce fighting.

Americans In the Thick of It.  --Cooter

Fort Washington-- Part 5: The Site Today

The site of Fort Washington is now Bennett Park on Fort Washington Avenue between West 183rd and West 185th streets. in the neighborhood of the Washington Heights neighborhood of New York City.  The location of the fort's walls are marked in the park by stones, along with an inscription.

Nearby is a plaque indicating that the schist outcrop is the highest natural spot on Manhattan Island which was a big reason the fort was sited there in the first place.

Bennett Park is located a few blocks north of the George Washington Bridge.  Along the banks of the Hudson River along the Henry Hudson Parkway is Fort Washington Park and the small point of land alternately called Jeffrey's Hook or Fort Washington Point, which is the site of the Little Red Lighthouse, a famous New York City point of interest.

The Little Red Lighthouse That Could.  --CootWash

Fort Washington-- Part 4: Molly Pitcher?

Margaret Corbin of Virginia was at the battle.  She has been recognized as the first female soldier to fight for the American Army.

She was married to James Corbin of the First Company of Pennsylvania Artillery.  When her husband was killed in the assault on Fort Washington, she loaded and fired her husband's cannon.

Although severely injured, Margaret Corbin survived the battle but never fully recovered from her wounds and was unable to use her left arm.  She is at least one of the women, if not the woman, who inspired the legend of Molly Pitcher.

--Cooter

World War I Chronology, July 1918: Champagne-Marne Defensive

JULY 15-18, 1918

CHAMPAGNE-MARNE DEFENSIVE

The 3rd, 26th, 28th, 41st (artillery)42nd Infantry Division and 369th Infantry (93rd Infantry Division) participate in the action.  The 3rd Infantry Division holds at the Marne (where they got the name "Rock of the Marne").

At Mezy, the 30th and 38th Regiments make a heroic stand.    St. Agnan, LaChapelle-Monthodon, Viezy and Missy-aux-Bois are recaptured.

Three days later, Americans capture Priley an La Grenouillieres farm.  Chateau-Thierry, Beray-le-Sec, and Mont St. Pere fall next.  U.S. forces capture Grimpettes Wood, Serignes-et-Nasles and take Cierges and Hill 230.

U.S. losses 1,485 KIA and 5,551 WIA.

Big Action for the AEF.  --Cooter

Fort Washington (NY)-- Part 3: Only 800 of 2,838 Americans Captured Survived

The British were immensely helped in their attack with information given them by one of Col. Magaw's officers, William Demont, who had deserted November 2 and had given detailed information on the fort.

American losses were 53 killed and  and 96 wounded in addition to the rest of the garrison being captured.  The British and Hessian troops had 132 killed and 374 wounded.  2,834 Americans were captured and marched through the streets of New York where they were jeered by a pro-British crowd.

Most of them were interned in British ships in the harbor where they were deliberately starved or died of disease in the really cold winter.  At the exchange, only 800 had survived.

These were the conditions that James McHenry (who Fort McHenry was named after) protested as he was also captured at Fort Washington.

--Brock-Perry

Fort Washington (NY)-- Part 2: Washington Escapes and the Fort Falls

General Washington realized he would have to defend New York from the British, but didn't think he could hold it.  An escape route was very necessary.  When it became necessary to abandon the city, this is exactly what he did, crossing the Hudson between Fort Washington and Fort Lee (which was commanded by General Charles Lee, hence the name).

Fort Washington was commanded by Colonel Robert Magaw, who refused to surrender and notified the British that he would fight to the last extremity.  British General Howe ordered Hessians and other British troops, numbering 8,000 against the badly outnumbered Americans.

The fort fell on November 16, 1777, and the British captured 2,818 prisoners and large amounts of supplies.  They renamed the fortification Fort Knyphausen (after the commander of the Hessian troops).

--Cooter

Fort Washington (NY)-- Part 1: On Manhattan Island

I have been writing about James McHenry in my Not So Forgotten War of 1812 blog.  Fort McHenry was named after him.

He was a surgeon in the Continental Army in the American Revolution and was captured at Fort Washington in New York by British forces.

I'd never heard of this battle or fort before so did some research.

From  Military.wikia.com.

Fort Washington was a fortified position near the north end of Manhattan Island) now part of New York City).  The fort was located on the highest part of the island.

During the American Revolution, it was part of George Washington's defense of New York.  Fort Washington and Fort Lee (on the New Jersey side of the Hudson River were built to prevent the British from going up the river and to provide a secure escape route for the American Army is needed.

--DAcOOT

Ships By the Name USS Missouri-- Part 4: SSN-780 (and Ships Named USS St. Louis)

Back in the 1900s state names were given to battleships.  Now, they are given to submarines.

The 5th USS Missouri (SSN-780) is a Virginia-class attack submarine. commissioned  31 July 2010.  In 2016 it was home ported at Pearl Harbor.

In addition, five U.S. warships have been named the St. Louis (Wikipedia lists seven):

USS St. Louis 1828 sloop  Civil War
USS St. Louis  1861  Ironclad  Civil War

USS St. Louis  1898   troop transport
USS St. Louis (C-20)  protected cruiser  1906-1922

USS St. Louis    (CL-49)  light cruiser 1939-1946  At Pearl Harbor
USS  St. Louis  (LKA-116)   Amphibious cargo ship 1969-1991
USS St. Louis  (LCS-19)  Littoral Combat Ship

Also there have been two ships with the name USS Kansas City.

--CootLouis

Ships By the Name USS Missouri-- Part 3: The Most Famous One

The 4th USS MISSOURI  (BB-63) by far was the most famous ship of the name.  Commissioned in 1944.

45,000 tons

Nine 16-inch guns in main battery, capable of throwing a 1,300  pound shell thirty miles.

The Japanese surrendered on this ship to end World War II.

This battleship is a museum ship in Pearl Harbor, moored by the USS Arizona.  Together they bookend World War II for the United States.

--Cooter

Ships By the Name of USS Missouri-- Part 2: 3rd One Was a Battleship

3rd USS MISSOURI

Commissioned December 1903.  Cost $5 million.  Main armament of four 12-inch guns able to throw a shell weighing 870 pounds almost eight miles.

The ship went around the world with the Great White Fleet from 1907-1908.

It was the second ship to pass through the Panama Canal.

It was scrapped in 1922.

The ship's punch bowl is at the governor's mansion.

--CooterMo

Ships By the Name Missouri in the U.S. Navy-- Part 1: CSS Missouri

From the June 18, 2018, News Tribune  "Perspective:  A History of the Missouri Navy" by Sam Bushman.

I wrote about the CSS Missouri in my Running the Blockade Civil War Navy blog earlier today.

These ships had the name USS Missouri in the United States Navy:

1st.  USS Missouri was a paddlewheel frigate built in 1841 at a cost of $570,000.  In 1843, while a part of the Mediterranean Squadron, the ship caught fire and blew up in Gibraltar.

2nd  CSS Missouri.  See today's Running the Blockade blog.

--CooterMo

Battle of Hamel in World War I

From Wikipedia.

In Saturday's post I wrote about this battle.

Took place July 4, 1918.  Successful attack by Australian and American infantry against German positions around the northern French town of Le Hamel.

Many of the tactics employed, such as the use of combined arms, illustrated the evolution of military tactics, from the massed attacks used earlier in the war.  All of the Allied goals were achieved in just 93 minutes.

Sixty of the new, highly maneuverable British Mark V tanks were used.  A creeping artillery barrage by over 600 Allied cannons was also employed.  Much effort went into coordination.

--Cooter

World War I Chronology, July 1918: Allied Cooperation in Amiens Sector

JULY 4

AMIENS-SECTOR

First instance of U.S. (33rd Infantry Division)- British (Australian) close cooperation.

They captured Hamel and repulse three counterattacks.

First real use of British tanks and machine guns as close infantry-support weapons.

Strength of the two sides:  Germany:  5,600  Allies:  7,000
Casualties'  Germany:  2,000 killed,   1,600 captured    Allies:  1,400 killed or wounded

--Cooter

Nine Things You Didn't Know About the Fourth of July-- Part 4:

7.  Celebrating with fireworks is as old as the holiday it self.  At the first celebration in Philadelphia on July 4, 1776, 13 cannons were fired, one for each colony.  That night, 13 fireworks were shot off in the city commons.

The tradition of fireworks has gotten bigger since then.  In 1934, American Arctic explorers set off fireworks even though it was 33 degrees below zero.

8.  And today, fireworks are a massive industry.  The American Pyrotechnics Association, Americans spent over $1 billion for fireworks in 2017.  That number has tripled over the last twenty  years.

Judging just by the folks around our subdivision Saturday and last night, I'd say a WHOLE lot of it was spent here.

9.  July 4 is the biggest hot dog day of the year.  Americans consume roughly 150 million hot dogs on July 4, enough to stretch from Washington, D.C., to Los Angeles five times.

Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest, which is a century old, takes place every July 4.  The record, currently held by Joey Chestnut, is 72 hot dogs in 10 minutes.

Have a Dog On Me.  --RoadHot

Nine Things You Didn't Know About the Fourth of July-- Part 3: The Philippines

5.  Calvin Coolidge is the only president born on July 4.

6.  The United States isn't the only country to celebrate independence day on the 4th of July.  The Philippines gained its independence from U.S. colonial control on July 4, 1946, and that day became a national holiday.

In 1962, however, due to rising Filipino nationalism and resentment to prior American colonialism it was changed to June 12.  July 4 is still on the books as "Philippine Republic Day" but is not much celebrated.

--Cooter

Nine Things You Didn't Know About the 4th of July-- Part 2: Three Presidents Have Died July 4th

3.  During the American Revolution, George Washington gave his troops a special treat on July 4.

On July 4, 1778, he ordered a double ration of rum for his soldiers.  He also ordered a cannon salute for the occasion.

Drinking has always been a large part of the 4th of July celebration.  In the past it was traditional to drink 13 toasts, one for each of the states that voted for independence.

4.  In a bizarre coincidence, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both died on July 4, 1826.  The two Founding Fathers and adversaries died within five hours of each other.  As Adams lay on his deathbed, unaware that Jefferson had already died, his reported last words were, "Jefferson still still survives."

James Monroe was the third president (and only one since) to die on the date, July 4, 1831.

Some Coincidence.  --DaCoot

Nine Things You Didn't Know About the Fourth of July-- Part 1: July 2

From the July 4, 2018 USA Today "9 things you didn't know about the Fourth of July" Caroline Simon.

1.  Congress did not actually vote for independence on July 4.  Twelve of the 13 states/colonies approved an independence resolution on July 2.  New York did not do so until July 9.

Many of the delegates did not sign it until as late as August 2.  John Adams insisted the annual celebration should be July 2 and refused to attend anything on July 4.

2.  July 4th was not an official holiday until almost a century later.  It was not so designated until 1870 and it wasn't until 1941 that it became a paid holiday for federal employees.

Stuff You Didn't Know.  --Coot4

Let's Get Patriotic With Our Songs Today With Ten Great 4th of July Songs: "American Girl"

Yesterday, Bob Stroud did his Ten at Ten on Chicago's WDRV 97.1 FM, the Drive on America, ten songs that are patriotic.

BORN IN THE U.S.A.--  Bruce Springsteen
SATURDAY IN THE PARK--  Chicago
R.O.C.K.I.N. IN THE U.S.A.--  John Mellancamp

IN AMERICA--  Simon & Garfunkel
LIVING IN THE U.S.A.--  Steve Miller Band
BORN ON THE  BAYOU--  Creedence Clearwater Revival
LIVING IN AMERICA--  James Brown

AMERICAN GIRL--  Tom Petty
4TH OF JULY ASBURY PARK (SANDY)--  Bruce Springsteen
AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL--  Ray Charles

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Somebody Give Me A Cheeseburger."    Answer below.  --Cooter


"Living In The U.S.A."

USS President Lincoln-- Part 4: What Was Its German Name?

From the Wrecksite Site.

Since the President Lincoln was a German ship before being seized by the United States, I was wondering what its German name was.  I couldn't find mention of it, though, until I got to this site.

It was launched in 1903 as the Scotian for Wilson's & Furness-Leyland Line, but the order was cancelled.  It was later purchased by the Hamburg-American Line and the name changed to Berlin in 1907.  Later, it became the President Wilson, then the President Lincoln.

So, the ship's German name was the SS President Lincoln..

--Cooter

The USS President Lincoln-- Part 3: Sunk By the U-90, Largest U.S. Ship Lost in WW I

Just before 9 a.m. on May 31, 1918, the U-90, which had been following the President Lincoln fired two torpedoes which hit the ship on the portside near the bridge and killed seven men below the deck.  Shortly afterwards, a third torpedo slammed into the Lincoln.

The order was given for all to abandon the ship except for the crews of the four 6-inch guns who stayed at their stations in case the German submarine surfaced to view what it had done.  They left just a short time before the President Lincoln sank in about 30 minutes.

Losses were not as high as might be expected because of the crew's training.  Three officers and sixteen crew died.

The survivors were now adrift and the U-90 did surface looking for officers.  The other three ships proceeded ahead as was standard procedure in this situation, but they did alert authorities as to what had happened.

The USS President was the largest ship the United States lost in World War I.

--Dacoot

The USS President Lincoln-- Part 2: Out of the "Danger Zone" Or So They Thought

From the Naval History and Heritage Command  "The Sinking of the USS President Lincoln."

There were 715 aboard the ship, mostly the crew but also 30 Army officers and men returning to the United States.  Some were sick and two were totally paralyzed.

The President Lincoln was with three other troop transports steering a zig-zag course in line abreast formation.

They had left Brest, France, two days earlier with a destroyer escort but were now unescorted as it was believed they were out of the "Danger Zone" where they might be attacked by a German U-boat.

--Cooter

The USS President Lincoln-- Part 1: Former German Ship

From Wikipedia.

Formerly a German steamer built by Harland and Wolff, Belfast in 1907. Seized in New York Harbor in 1917 and turned over to to the Shipping Board and transferred to the U.S. navy for use as a troop transport.

The ship had been severely damaged by its German crew before being seized and it took a long time to repair.  It was commissioned 25 July 1917, with Commander Yates Stirling Jr. in command.

Later, Percy Wright Foote took command.It made five voyages to Europe and carried approximately 23,000 troops.

On its last trip, it sailed from New York City on 10 May 1918 and arrived in Brest, France, 23 May and disembarked troops.  It got underway 29 May for its return trip and was sunk 31 May 1918.

Of the 715 aboard, 26 lost their lives.

The ship was 619 feet long with a 68 foot beam.  Crew was 430 officers and enlisted.  Armed with four 6-inch guns.

--Cooter