During the hot spell of July, 1917, several of the Filipino firemen were affected by the intense heat and were removed to the hospital for observation. All employees on the ship had their identification cards with their photograph attached. Hoboken was a hotbed of pro-Germanism and our officials could not be too careful.
Upper—Leaving New York.
Center—In Mid-ocean.
Lower—Entering New York Harbor with 27th Division.
At 10 A. M., July 25, 1917, the American flag was hoisted under the orders of the Navy Department. This interesting ceremony, which meant so much to the oppressed peoples of the world, was witnessed by only a few men. The first draft of seventy-one firemen came aboard later in the day. The main dining room was converted into a mess hall for the troops, and the beautiful swimming pool of Pompeiian decoration was turned into a baggage room. The after baggage room was turned into a brig (or ship’s prison), and a powder magazine.
The first entry in the official log of the former German ship Vaterland follows:
8 A. M. to Meridian