Built by Blohm & Voss Hamburg, 1913 as VATERLAND
54,282 GRT
948 x 100 feet
Quadruple screw, 24 knots, turbines
752 first class, 535 second class, 850 third class, 1,772 passengers; 1,243 crew

     Launched April 3, 1913. When she was completed in Aril 1914 she was the largest ship in the world. Maiden voyage May 14, 1914 Cuxhaven Ð New York. In August, interned at New York. On April 4, 1917 seized by US after crew had inflicted considerable damage to boilers and engines. She was repaired and transferred for Navy Transport service, September 6, 1917 renamed LEVIATHAN. Laid up in New York and handed over to US Shipping Board September 1919.

In February 1922 she sailed to Newport News for reconstruction as passenger liner and re-measured at 59,956 GRT, at trials she made over 27 knots.