Seizure of the “Vaterland” by the United States
When the World War broke out the Vaterland, Germany’s largest passenger ship, was at her pier in Hoboken, New Jersey, ready to sail August 1, 1914. A mass meeting was held on this date at Atlantic Garden, Hoboken, by firemen, seamen, oilers and machinists of German ships in Hoboken, to discuss the war. All German ships that were in Hoboken had been ordered not to sail. Being a part of the German Naval Reserve they were subject to the orders of the German Admiralty. The Vaterland had booked 720 first class, 420 second class and 2,500 third class and steerage passengers. The Hamburg-American Line lost more than $500,000 as a result of keeping the Vaterland from sailing on August 1st.
The piers were stormed by angry crowds that had expected to sail and had purchased their tickets. The Hoboken police had much difficulty in handling the disappointed crowds. An extra guard was placed around the ship and at night searchlights and inspectors guarded the giant ship.
Ten thousand German reservists on August 6th, demanded of the German consul that they be sent back to Germany on the Vaterland so that they could join their regiments. There were nine German ships in Hoboken at this time—the Prinzess Irene, Friedrich der Grosse, Vaterland, President Lincoln, Pennsylvania, Barbarossa, Prince Joachim, George Washington and Martha Washington.
Count Von Bernstorff, the German Ambassador, arrived in Hoboken from Germany on the S. S, Noordam, on August 24th, for a brief visit.
The clearing ship for all German officers in this country was the Aeolus. These officers came from all parts of the world. They had secret orders to go aboard that particular ship and stay until all arrangements were made for them to travel aboard outbound steamers. These officers played an important part in the interest and welfare of the Fatherland. This continued until the United States entered the war, when all German ships on this side were seized. The captain of the Aeolus, the chief engineer and the purser were ordered to Philadelphia to take ship to Germany. They ran the English blockade and succeeded in getting home. This captain was given command of a Zeppelin. He made a few successful raids, but was afterwards brought down and killed near London. When news of his death came all the flags on German ships were hoisted at half mast.
On board the Friedrich der Grosse (renamed Huron), the entire personnel were kept busy making bombs. These bombs were carried off the ship in separate parts and assembled at the main factory in Hoboken, which was disguised as a fertilizer plant. This was soon broken up, the men tried and sent to jail.
The officers and men interned had many schemes for making money. A bazaar held at Madison Square Garden, New York, cleared at least $85,000 in a week. Moonlight excursion trips up the Hudson netted more money. This money was supposed to be for the wives, mothers and children of the men, but through the craftiness of a high functionary it was used for his own personal benefit and the upkeep of the German spy system. It was found that he used some of this money also for private speculation.
When news of the sinking of the Lusitania came the German sailors celebrated and German officials made ready to destroy German ships in port at a moment’s notice, for they knew that war with the United States was imminent. But on the morning of April 1st, the Germans were surprised to see one of our destroyers, No. 533, anchored off Pier 2. They thought this a great joke, but on April 5th, the United States officials rounded up German officers and men and sent them to Ellis Island for distribution to Federal prisons.
On this date, United States armed forces seized ninety-one German ships in different ports. The Vaterland was taken over at 4 A. M., on the morning of April 5th. The seizure was made without any trouble or disturbance by the crew and they were marched off and sent to Ellis Island for transfer to Fort Oglethorpe, Ga. The night before the seizure took place, a conference was held on the Vaterland between three representatives of the American Government and the German commanders of the interned vessels. The German commanders were given to understand that there must not be any violence when the ships were taken over. They made no resistance.
The English Navy maintained a steady and vigilant patrol outside the three-mile limit of America.