When the United States Customs Officials took charge, at 4 A. M., April 6th, they searched everybody who came aboard thereafter and detected a number of men having articles of destruction. Several attempts to smuggle small bombs and explosives into the coal chutes from the coal barges alongside were frustrated by the guards. When the Navy took over coaling the ship, a more vigilant guard was maintained. The guards had orders to keep off all unauthorized boats at a distance of 100 yards. There was much reason for this strict order. The United States Customs Officials turned over the _Vaterland_ to the United States Shipping Board. Among the shipping board employees was a number of hardy Filipino and Hawaiian firemen, very sturdy and enthusiastic about their work. They were presumably from merchant ships in or about the harbor and they gladly offered their services in behalf of their adopted country. “Africans” was a favorite sport with them. 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. [Illustration: 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 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.