Named “Leviathan”
On September 6th the name of the German ship Vaterland was changed by order of the Secretary of the Navy, without ceremony, to the U. S. S. Leviathan, meaning monster of the deep and mentioned in the Book of Job in the Old Testament.
Small fire on board, September 23, 3.50 A. M., “F” Deck, aft.
Upper—Troop Galley (kitchen).
Center—Troop Mess Hall.
Lower—The Ritz-Carlton and the Winter Garden.
Troop Spaces
On September 26th there was a large amount of “Imperial” sausage received aboard.
In the latter part of October, 1917, the big caliber guns were placed upon their respective mounts. A depth charge chute was erected on the stern and fire control and range finding apparatus were installed to insure the accuracy of the guns.
All the staterooms on the lower decks of the ship were ripped out to make room for standees, which are an open iron frame work with canvas bunk bottoms to be occupied by the troops in transit to France.
Work was begun in the main theatre and ball room to convert it into a hospital for troops and crew during transatlantic voyages.
An isolation ward was established in the gymnasium on “A” Deck for contagious cases. The ship’s doctor’s office was used as a sick call station and dispensary for troops and crew.
Dock trials took place in the morning watch of November 12th. These trials lasted until 2 P. M. The ship reported ready for sea and on November 17, 1917, a trial trip to Cuba was made.