History of the U.S.S. Leviathan, cruiser and transport forces, United States Atlantic fleet Compiled from the ship's log and data gathered by the history committee — Story, Setting & Ideas

stoms officials in the early morning of April 6, 1917, turned over to the Shipping Board to be manned and operated, but after nearly three months’ effort on their part without the ship leaving the dock, she was finally, on July 25, 1917, turned over to the Navy Department and regularly commissioned as a Naval vessel and assigned to transport duty under the command of Vice-Admiral Albert Gleaves, U. S. Navy, Commander of the Cruiser and Transport Force, United States Atlantic Fleet.

The _Leviathan’s_ record for carrying human beings across the ocean has never been approached by any other vessel in the history of the world. Back and forth she went across the Atlantic, almost with the regularity of clockwork, passing unscathed a score of times through the war zone, though the German submarines made several attempts in force to get her. Her performance constitutes one of the greatest marine achievements of the world and it would seem that fate had designed her to fulfil a mission of retributive justice.

The Germans said it could not be done, but true to their nature, they had not figured on the ingenuity, initiative and pluck of the American sailor. When the Armistice was signed this three-funnelled colossus of the waves had made ten trips across the Atlantic as a naval transport and had landed a grand total of 110,591 American soldiers in France and England. In other words, this single ship had transported to Europe one twentieth of the total number of the American Expeditionary Force.

This tremendous achievement did not depend alone upon the great size and speed of the ship; it was accomplished also by the splendid spirit of the officers and men of the _Leviathan_ and their unfailing devotion to duty. It was due to their pride in their ship and their personal loyalty to Vice-Admiral Gleaves, their Force Commander, that kept the _Leviathan_ constantly straining to do her best, and this spirit remained with the ship after the Armistice and nowhere is it better illustrated than in the records of the 15th and 16th trips, on which she returned to the United States a total of 28,412 troops, which amounted to 2,217 more than were carried on her two best previous voyages. These two trips were made in the fastest time she had ever made, less than 37 days elapsing for the two voyages.

Thus during the war, in rushing troops to France, and after the Armistice in the great task of bringing them home again, the _Leviathan_ proved herself of greatest value to the government and her great achievement will forever remain an undying credit to the United States Navy, and the men of the Navy who manned her.

DEDICATION TO SECRETARY DANIELS

_To our leader—honored in the nation; To our friend—steadfast and true; To our shipmate—of happy memory;_

_The Bluejackets offer this dedication in gratitude and appreciation._

PREFACE BY SECRETARY DANIELS

The record of the _U.S.S. Leviathan_, queen of the troop transport fleet which made possible the successful participation of the United States in the war with Germany, is a record of consistent service and remarkable efficiency which upholds the best and noblest traditions of the United States naval service. The nation owes and gladly gives a great meed of praise to every officer and man, regular and reserve alike, who shared in the hardships, the dangers and the successes of the _Leviathan’s_ great wartime service.

The potential strength of the 98,000 fighting men the _Leviathan_ carried to the shores of France can never be estimated. We know that when the night was blackest, when the fortunes of the world hung in the balance and the eyes of all nations were turned toward the western continent, that the great _Leviathan_ with her tremendous troop-carrying capacity was ready and that, trip after trip, without failures or accidents, the great transport plowed her way across the Atlantic, scornful alike of the submarine’s stilettos of the sea and the wrath of the elements, carrying to the shores of our nearly exhausted allies those inestimably precious cargoes of men who turned the tide and saved the day.

Although the _Leviathan_ did not participate in any great naval engagement, although the battle flags never flew proudly at her mast-heads as she swept into the tempest of a modern naval engagement, her achievement in carrying across the sea more than three divisions of American soldiers entitles the gallant ship’s name to a place forever in the hall of American naval fame.

I cannot but feel a thrill of admiration for the efficiency, loyalty and devotion to duty of the officers and men of the _Leviathan_ who repaired the damage wrought by the Germans, quickly and skillfully organized the ship for service at sea and who, week after week and month after month, “carried on” regardless of the lurking menace beneath the waves, in the face of an enemy who would have made any sacrifice to add the giant _Leviathan_ to his list of victims.

On March 15, 1919, Mrs. Daniels and myself had the pleasure of going aboard the _Leviathan_ with a party of naval officers who were accompanying me to Europe on important public business. The remembrance of this voyage will ever be among the most cherished memories of all the members of our party. The never-failing courtesy and kindness of both officers and men, the thoughtful consideration with which we were treated, will always cause us to remember the U.S.S. Leviathan with the warmest personal regard.

With all good wishes for the future for the crew of the _Leviathan_ and the hope that the ship’s great work, so wonderfully carried out thus far, may be as successfully completed.

Cruiser and Transport Force United States Atlantic Fleet

Vice-Admiral ALBERT GLEAVES, United States Navy Commander Cruiser and Transport Force, U. S. Atlantic Fleet

Oman, Joseph W., Capt., U.S.N. Bryan, Henry F., Capt., U.S.N. Phelps, William W., Capt., U.S.N. Durell, Edward H., Capt., U.S.N.

NOTE: Captain J. W. Oman, U.S.N., assumed command on July 23, 1917, being relieved by Captain Henry F. Bryan, U.S.N., on March 3, 1918, who in turn was relieved by Captain W. W. Phelps, U.S.N., on Sept. 21, 1918, who in turn was relieved by Captain Edward H. Durell, U.S.N., on April 4, 1919, and who now is in command.

Jeffers, William N., Comdr., U.S.N. Blackburn, John H., Comdr., U.S.N. Staton, Adolphus, Comdr., U.S.N.

Mannock, Frank D., Lieut.-Comdr., U.S.N. Cunningham, Harold A., Lieut.-Comdr., U.S.N.R.F.

Osborne, Charles F., Lieut.-Comdr, U.S.N. Boucher, Creed H., Lieut., U.S.N. Bateman, Arnold H., Lieut., U.S.N.

Ford, James W., Lieut.-Comdr., U.S.N. Haltnorth, Oliver J., Lieut., U.S.N. Malloy, William E., Lieut., U.S.N.

SENIOR ENGINEER OFFICER

Woodward, Vaughn V., Comdr., U.S.N.

COMMUNICATION OFFICERS

Gahagen, Allen J., Lieut., (j. g.), U.S.N. Bense, Frederick, Lieut., (j. g.), U.S.N. Katzmarek, John E., Ensign, U.S.N.R.F.

SENIOR MEDICAL OFFICERS

Snyder, John J., Comdr., (M. C.), U.S.N. Asserson, Frederick A., Comdr., (M. C.), U.S.N. May, Henry A., Lieut.-Comdr., (M. C.), U.S.N. Vaughn, George T., Lieut.-Comdr., (M. C.), U.S.N.

SENIOR SUPPLY OFFICERS

Schafer, George C., Lieut.-Comdr., (P. C.), U.S.N. Simonpietri, William L. F., Lieut.-Comdr., (P. C), U.S.N. Farwell, Neal B., Lieut.-Comdr., (P. C.), U.S.N. Edwards, Eaton C., Lieut.-Comdr., (P. C.), U.S.N.

WATCH AND DIVISION OFFICERS

Jones, John, Lieut.-Comdr., U.S.N.R.F. Foster, John, Lieut.-Comdr., U.S.N.R.F. Beebe, John L., Lieut., U.S.N.R.F. Hankison, Otto L., Lieut., U.S.N.R.F. Willey, James H., Lieut., U.S.N.R.F. Davidson, Harold, Lieut., U.S.N.R.F. Burtis, William H., Lieut., U.S.N. Dorsey, Arthur B., Lieut., U.S.N. Swift, John T., Lieut., U.S.N. Hemby, Cleveland, Lieut., U.S.N.R.F. Jones, Edward E., Lieut., U.S.N.R.F. Leonard, Arthur T., Lieut., U.S.N. Skead, Robert G., Lieut., U.S.N.R.F. Lovell, Douglas G., Lieut., U.S.N. Wright, F. G., Lieut., U.S.N.R.F. Millard-Turner, R., Lieut., (j. g.), U.S.N.R.F. Wainwright, Stuyvesant, Lieut., (j. g.), U.S.N.R.F. Hilliard, Charles C., Lieut., (j. g.), U.S.N.R.F. Harper, Fred K., Lieut., (j. g.), U.S.N.R.F. Wyatt, Thomas H., Lieut., (j. g.), U.S.N.R.F. Alexander, Albert E., Lieut., (j. g.), U.S.N.R.F. Harding, Arthur E., Lieut., (j. g.), U.S.N.R.F. Foss, Albion F., Lieut., (j. g.), U.S.N.R.F. Towes, George V., Lieut., (j. g.), U.S.N.R.F. Cummins, David E., Lieut., (j. g.), U.S.N. Whitney, Rintoul T., Lieut., (j. g.), U.S.N.R.F. Nordstrom, Isador, Lieut., (j. g.), U.S.N. Estey, Edward, Lieut., (j. g.), U.S.N. Morrill, Stanley, Lieut., (j. g.), U.S.N.R.F. Grant, Deloss A., Lieut., (j. g.), U.S.N.R.F. Nichols, Spencer V., Ensign, U.S.N.R.F. Fagan, George, Ensign, U.S.N.R.F. Fales, De Coursey, Ensign, U.S.N.R.F. Evans, John Clement, Ensign, U.S.N.R.F. Ditmars, John R., Ensign, U.S.N.R.F. Knight, Rufus H., Ensign, U.S.N.R.F. LeClerq, Frederick D. K., Ensign, U.S.N.R.F. Palin, Milburn R., Ensign, U.S.N.R.F. Mann, Harry A., Ensign, U.S.N.R.F. Allen, William S., Ensign, U.S.N.R.F. Barcus, James S., Ensign, U.S.N.R.F. Thompson, Edward H., Ensign, U.S.N.R.F. Rapkin, Alfred C, Ensign, U.S.N.R.F. Seaman, Elbert C, Ensign, U.S.N.R.F. Howe, Paul F., Ensign, U.S.N.R.F. Ferguson, John, Ensign, U.S.N.R.F. Meagher, John F., Ensign, U.S.N.R.F. Singleton, Louis P., Ensign, U.S.N.R.F. Leiper, John A., Ensign, U.S.N.R.F. Gaynor, Thomas A., Ensign, U.S.N.R.F. Gay, Nelson, Ensign, U.S.N.R.F. Froehlich, Sylvan L., Ensign, U.S.N.R.F. Vars, Addison F., Ensign, U.S.N.R.F. Armiger, William J., Ensign, U.S.N.R.F. Milan, Daniel F., Ensign, U.S.N.R.F. Lequin, Maurice L., Ensign, U.S.N.R.F. Deacon, Joseph G., Ensign, U.S.N.R.F. Haines, Rowland B., Ensign, U.S.N. Hammond, Carlton M., Ensign, U.S.N. Johnston, George 0., Ensign, U.S.N.R.F. Arnold, Leslie J., Ensign, U.S.N. Schildhauer, Clarence H., Ensign, U.S.N. Schoeffel, M. F., Ensign, U.S.N. Sherlock, Archibald J., Ensign, U.S.N. Rowedder, Herbert B., Ensign, U.S.N. Hackett, Paul B., Ensign, U.S.N. Fitzsimmons, George R., Ensign, U.S.N. Ewbank, Henry L., Ensign, U.S.N. Denison, Ross E., Ensign, U.S.N. Croasdale, Ernest S., Ensign, U.S.N. Cox, Christopher C., Ensign, U.S.N. Carlon, Charles B., Ensign, U.S.N. Beardsley, Ralph A., Ensign, U.S.N.

Woodward, Vaughn V., Comdr., U.S.N. Watson, James P., Lieut., U.S.N.R.F. Krez, Conrad A., Lieut., U.S.N. Jones, Richard H., Lieut., U.S.N. Keating, Thomas E., Lieut., U.S.N.R.F. Schluter, Wilhelm H. F., Lieut., U.S.N. Edwards, Henry I., Lieut., U.S.N. Lau, Walter, Lieut., U.S.N. Parker, John C., Lieut., U.S.N. Miller, L. Dee, Lieut., U.S.N.R.F. Watt, Frank S., Lieut., U.S.N.R.F. Keeser, George, Lieut., U.S.N. Kirk, Colin, Lieut., U.S.N.R.F. Althiser, Edwin, Lieut., (j. g.), U.S.N.R.F. Looney, William C., Lieut., (j. g.), U.S.N.R.F. Andrews, Ellwood W., Lieut., (j. g.), U.S.N. Bright, Roscoe C., Lieut., (j. g.), U.S.N. Cadmus, Charles E., Ensign, U.S.N.R.F. Leventhal, Lewis F., Ensign, U.S.N. Graeff, Warren L., Ensign, U.S.N. Ferry, Jr., John M., Ensign, U.S.N. Hannon, Frank, Machinist, U.S.N. Dundon, William A., Machinist, U.S.N.R.F. Wilson, Tom C., Machinist, U.S.N. Brockie, William J., Machinist, U.S.N. Fagan, John J., Machinist, U.S.N. Glaser, Alfred W., Machinist, U.S.N.R.F. Hagerman, Oliver S., Machinist, U.S.N.R.F. Jensen, Joseph, Machinist, U.S.N.R.F. Wilson, Arthur L., Machinist, U.S.N.R.F.

Halsey, William H., Lieut.-Comdr, U.S.N. Porter, John E., Lieut., U.S.N. Hudson, Erastus M., Lieut., U.S.N. Braff, Max M., Lieut., U.S.N. Carroll, Frank J., Lieut., U.S.N. Rathbun, Walter L., Lieut., U.S.N.R.F. Crofutt, Edward F., Lieut., U.S.N.R.F. Hulbert, Harold S., Lieut., U.S.N. Dunlap, Albert K., Lieut., U.S.N. Howell, Harry M., Lieut., U.S.N. Kennedy, Patrick F., Lieut., U.S.N. Lorentz, Jr., Robert, Lieut., U.S.N. Weston, Albert T., Lieut., U.S.N.R.F. Strauss, Spencer G., Lieut., U.S.N. Ziesel, Carl S., Lieut., (j. g.), U.S.N. Sheppard, Thomas T., Lieut., (j. g.), U.S.N.R.F. Campbell, Carl I., Chief Phar., U.S.N. Martin, Robert, Phar., U.S.N. Benton, William M., Phar., U.S.N. Redman, Foster B., Phar., U.S.N.

Hoffman, Leonard G., Lieut., (P. C.), U.S.N. Erickson, Edward B., Lieut., (P. C.), U.S.N. Nuber, Horace D., Lieut., (P. C.), U.S.N. Barker, Edwin F., Lieut., (P. C.), U.S.N. Soars, Charles A., Lieut., (P. C.), U.S.N. Gunnell, Vaughn J., Lieut., (P. C.), U.S.N. Alexander, Edward J., Lieut., (P. C.), U.S.N. Judkins, Holland B., Lieut., (j. g.), (P. C.), U.S.N.R.F. Carter, William J., Lieut., (j. g.), (P. C.), U.S.N. Coulbourn, Theodore S., Lieut., (j. g.), (P. C.), U.S.N. Baker, Jr., James M., Lieut., (j. g.), (P. C.), U.S.N.R.F. Bishop, Stuart A., Lieut., (j. g.), U.S.N.R.F. Foster, Leroy B., Lieut., (j. g.), (P. C), U.S.N. Thomas, Wilmer J., Ensign, (P. C.), U.S.N.R.F. Shuler, John W., Ensign, (P. C.), U.S.N.R.F. O’Shaughnessy, Louis B., Ensign, (P. C.), U.S.N.R.F. Barber, Jr., William A., Ensign, (P. C.), U.S.N.R.F. Ast, Raymond J., Ensign, (P. C.), U.S.N.R.F. Amberg, Edward J., Ensign, (P. C.), U.S.N.R.F. Harris, Lester L., Ensign, (P. C.), U.S.N.R.F. Billingsley, Joe K., Ensign, (P. C.), U.S.N.R.F. Miller, Charles H., Ensign, (P. C.), U.S.N.R.F. Stephans, Frederick J., Ensign, (P. C.), U.S.N.R.F. Wrigley, Edmund J., Ensign, (P. C.), U.S.N.R.F. Waters, Clifford W., Ensign, (P. C.), U.S.N. Roberts, Jr., Jack B., Ensign, (P. C.), U.S.N.R.F. Schad, Theodore S., Ensign, (P. C.), U.S.N.R.F. Fisk, Harvey E., Ensign, (P. C.), U.S.N.R.F. Fenstemaker, Marvin C, Ensign, (P. C.), U.S.N.R.F. Ingram, Herbert R., Ensign, (P. C.), U.S.N.R.F. Stafford, Archibald A., Ensign, (P. C.), U.S.N.R.F. Smith, Walter E., Pay Clerk, U.S.N.R.F. Poggi, Godfrey F., Pay Clerk, U.S.N.R.F. Luskin, Abraham, Pay Clerk, U.S.N.R.F.

McDonald, Eugene E., Capt., U.S.N.

Minuse, A. W., Lieut. Const. Corps. Jack, John H., Ass’t Naval Const. Lieut.

Smith, Charles W., Boatswain, U.S.N.R.F. Coghlan, Daniel, Boatswain, U.S.N.R.F. O’Donnell, Joseph A., Elec. Gunner, U.S.N.R.F. Heinz, Earnest D., Elec. Gunner, U.S.N. Rector, Frank L., Boatswain, U.S.N. Cole, Raymond, Gunner, U.S.N. Hudgins, Earle P., Carpenter, U.S.N. Britt, Benjamin B., Carpenter, U.S.N. Waterston, Fred C., Boatswain, U.S.N. Johnston, William, Boatswain, U.S.N. Williams, James F., Gunner, U.S.N. Bruns, Harry, Gunner, U.S.N. Bergman, Milton, Elec. Gunner, U.S.N. Braunwarth, Albert, Boatswain, U.S.N.R.F. Banks, Earl F., Carpenter, U.S.N.R.F. Maune, James J. Carpenter, U.S.N. McLeod, Daniel, Carpenter, U.S.N. Shannon, Charles R., Elec. Gunner, U.S.N.R.F. Reimann, Carl, Gunner, U.S.N. Ohmer, August, Carpenter, U.S.N.

SHIP’S HISTORY COMMITTEE

Juhnke, Walter A. C.P.M. Maloney, Leo G. P.M., 1c

_Engineering Department_

Gish, G. B. C.Y. Lusk, J. R. MM., 1c

_Navigation Department_

Mallay, Jules Bugler Herrman, Sidney Q.M., 2c

Collup, Floyd I. C.G.M. Martin, Wesley G.M. 3c Armstrong, G. A. C.E.R.

Devers, D. F. B.M., 1c

Flowers, Frank L. C.C.S. Nelson, James Y., 1c

_Construction Department_

Hankison, L. A. C.C.M. Sherrill, H. C. C.M., 1c

_Yeoman to Committee_

Fitzgerald, J. J. Y., 1c Prescott, John W. Sea.

Chaplain E. E. McDonald U.S.N.

Ensign Herbert A. Rowedder, U.S.N.

_Whereas_, the following Joint Resolution adopted by Congress was approved by the President May 12, 1917:

“Joint Resolution Authorizing the President to take over for the United States the possession and title of any vessel within its jurisdiction, which at the time of coming therein was owned in whole or in part by any corporation, citizen, or subject of any nation with which the United States may be at war, or was under register of any nation and for other purposes.”

RESOLVED, by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled: That the President be, and he is hereby, authorized to take over to the United States the immediate possession and title of any vessel within the jurisdiction thereof, including the Canal Zone, and all territories and insular possessions of the United States, except the American Virgin Islands, which at the time of coming into such jurisdiction was owned in whole or in part by any corporation, citizen, or subject of any nation with which the United States may be at war when such vessel shall be taken, or was flying the flag of or was under register of any such nation or any political subdivision or municipality thereof; and, through the United States Shipping Board, or any department or agency of the Government, to operate, lease, charter, and equip such vessel in any service of the United States, or in any commerce, foreign or coastwise.

Sec. 2. That the Secretary of the Navy be, and he is hereby, authorized and directed to appoint, subject to the approval of the President, a board of survey, whose duty it shall be to ascertain the actual value of the vessel, its equipment, appurtenances and all property contained therein, at the time of its taking, and to make a written report of their findings to the Secretary of the Navy, who shall preserve such report with the records of his department. These findings shall be considered as competent evidence in all proceedings on any claim for compensation.

_And whereas_, the following vessels were, at the time of coming into the jurisdiction of the United States, owned in whole or in part by a corporation, citizen or subject of the Empire of Germany, a nation with which the United States is now at war, or were flying the flag of or under the register of the Empire of Germany, or of a political subdivision or municipality thereof:

_Vaterland_ _Amerika_ _Kaiser Wilhelm II_ _President Grant_ _Pennsylvania_ _Rhaetia_ _Wittekind_ _Armenia_ _Adamsturm_ _Willehad_ _Serapis_ _Allemannia_ _Nassovia_ _Maia_ _Neptun_ _O. J. D. Ahlers_ _Prinz Waldemar_ _Loongmoon_ _Governeur Jaeschke_ _Darvel_ _Princess Alice_ _Wiegand_ _Bochum_ _Carl Diedrichsen_ _Coblenz_ _Esslingen_ _Lyeemoon_ _Pongtong_ _Sachsen_ _Suevia_ _Steinbeck_ _Elsass_ _Indra_ _Arnoldus Vinnen_ _Ottawa_ _Grunewald_ _Sachsenwald_ _Staatssekretar Solf_ _Aroa_ (Lighter) _George Washington_ _Kronprizessin Cecile_ _President Lincoln_ _Cincinnati_ _Bulgaria_ _Prinzess Irene_ _Hamburg_ _Neckar_ _Bohemia_ _Grosser Kurfurst_ _Barbarossa_ _Friedrich der Grosse_ _Rhein_ _Konig Wilhelm II_ _Köln_ _Prinz Oskar_ _Ockenfels_ _Arcadia_ _Pisa_ _Prinz Joachim_ _Harburg_ _Portonia_ _Clara Mennig_ _Pommern_ _Setos_ _Holsatia_ _Staatssekretar Kraetke_ _Borneo_ _Marudu_ _Tsintau_ _Andalusia_ _Camilla Rickmers_ _Clara Jebsen_ _Elmshorm_ _Johanne_ _Mark_ _Rajah_ _Sambia_ _Tubingen_ _Dalbek_ _Magdeburg_ _Matador_ _Kurt_ _Andromeda_ _Prinz Sigismund_ _Savoia_ _Arni_ (Lighter) _Argus_ (Lighter)