Third Trip Overseas
Late in the afternoon of April 24th, the Leviathan cast off her lines once more, after a short stay of only seven days in Hoboken. The patent log, which registers the speed of the ship, was streamed from the taff-rail upon our departure and a standard speed of eighteen knots was maintained until past Ambrose Channel Light Vessel.
Troops and organizations on board were as follows:
Troops, 8,909. Men in 11th Infantry; 15th Machine Gun Battalion; Base Hospital No. 20, Female; Base Hospital No. 30, Female; 304th Field Artillery; 306th Field Artillery; 302d Supply Train of the 77th Div. N. A.; Brig. General Walter H. Gordon, 10th Infantry Brigade.
Exceptionally mild weather was encountered on the entire trip across, especially in the Gulf Stream, the temperature of the water at times running as high as 73 degrees. Numerous flying-fish and schools of Porpoise were observed from day to day. The spouting fish would cause us to keep our gaze fixed upon him. Gliding through the water he greatly resembles the wake of a periscope.
The opinion was expressed on board that this time France would be our destination. Our cargo holds were loaded to the top with all sorts of army equipment, camouflaged artillery wagons, automobile trucks, shell cases, etc. After the fourth day out the men on the bridge knew for an absolute fact, by the course steered, that we were heading for France and many of us already saw ourselves walking up the main street of Paris with a girl on each arm. Little did we know how keen our disappointment would be, for as later events proved, our views of France were to be observed from a coal barge, three long miles away from the mainland.
Occasionally a convoy of perhaps ten or twelve vessels would be sighted, hull below the horizon and just the masts visible, presenting a peculiar sight, keeping pace with us for a few hours and gradually disappearing. It was unusual for a lone ship to be sighted, for the safest method of travel was in convoy, escorted by cruisers or destroyers. Extremely precautionary methods were always taken with ships sighted without escort, a change of course usually effected to give such vessels a wide berth. They were always looked upon with suspicion by us, especially sailing vessels, for instances have been reported of German U-boats rigging up two or three sails and floating on the surface of the water to resemble harmless, slow-moving schooners.