The Leviathan made a round trip in sixteen days and eighteen hours; this included a stop of forty-eight hours overseas to coal ship. At that time she took on board over 1,500 tons of fresh water and 4,500 tons of coal. This coal was placed alongside in lighters and was discharged by a working force of Army stevedores on the starboard side and the ship’s company on the port side. In addition to this the cargo was handled and discharged by the ship’s force, this being a creditable record. The commanding officer, officers and crew received a telegram of commendation from Vice-Admiral H. B. Wilson and Admiral Sims.
According to a New York newspaper the credit was given to an Army Quartermaster officer. This officer had nothing to do with the handling of the cargo, the coaling of the vessel, or debarkation of troops, except to supply a working party of stevedores to assist the ship’s force in coaling. The coaling of this vessel by the ship’s force, when from 4,500 to 5,000 tons of coal are taken on, is a large task, the largest coaling proposition ever accomplished by a Navy crew, as our largest battleships only carry about 2,800 tons of coal and they coal from colliers which are fitted with modern machinery for handling coal cargoes.
Too much credit cannot be given to the crew of the Leviathan. They worked faithfully, earnestly and cheerfully. The men were all young, the probable average age being not more than twenty years. They were clean cut Americans, well behaved and willing and anxious to carry out orders and to whip the Germans.
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.