At 10 A. M., July 25, 1917, the U. S. S. Vaterland was placed in commission by Captain J. W. Oman, U. S. N., in accordance with letter C-467-4 from the Commandant of the Navy Yard, New York.
The watch was set. The following officers were attached to this ship:
Captain J. W. Oman, U. S. N.; Ensign A. H. Bateman, U. S. N.; Assistant Paymaster L. B. Foster, U. S. N. R. F.; Assistant Paymaster H. B. Judkins, U. S. N. R. F. Fifty-five (55) workmen were on board, work going on in the engineering department and on deck under the direction of the shipping board and customs officials. Divers cleaning bottom.
(Signed) Fred K. Harper, Lt. (j. g.) U.S.N.R.F.
During this period work was progressing steadily under the direction of the different heads of the departments and there is nothing of special interest to relate.
A carrier pigeon, w-7463, fluttered through the air and dropped dead on C deck.
One fireman was court-martialed for using profanity, thus showing the quick application of Navy discipline.
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.