It was the Navy’s job to shepherd them across the sea in safety. While the crew of the _Corsair_ was busied with rumor and conjecture, her official record or confidential “War Diary” briefly noted the facts in the case: _April 28th._ _Corsair_ taken over by the Government at Fletchers’ Ship Yard, Hoboken, New Jersey. _April 28th to May 15th._ Fitting out for duty as scout patrol, Third Naval District. During first week in May information was received that ship would operate with Nantucket Patrol when ready for sea. _May 15th._ Sailed from Fletchers’ Ship Yard to Navy Yard to receive battery and continue fitting out. Commissioned as per following letter: _Office of the Commandant Third Naval District_ _Navy Yard, Brooklyn, N.Y. May 14, 1917_ From: Commandant, Third Naval District. To: Lt. Com’dr T. A. Kittinger, U.S.N., Commanding Officer. Subject: _Corsair_, S.P. No. 159, placed in commission. 1. As authorized in reference (a) the _Corsair_, S.P. No. 159, is hereby placed in full commission, 15 May, 1917, 3.00 P.M. N. R. USHER _Rear Admiral, U.S.N._ Copy to Navy Department { Operations. { Bureau of Nav. Commander Patrol Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet. _May 19th._ Received orders to fit out for distant service, to be ready on May 30, 1917. _June 4th._ Received orders to report to Rear Admiral Albert Gleaves, U.S. Navy, for temporary service. _June 5th._ Left Navy Yard, New York, for shaking down cruise in Long Island Sound. _June 6th._ Proceeded to anchorage at Tompkinsville for conference with Captain W. B. Fletcher, U.S.N., on the U.S.S. _Noma_. _June 7th._ Proceeded to the Navy Yard for coal. _June 8th._ Joined U.S.S. _Seattle_ at anchorage, North River, New York. _June 14th._ Sailed with First Expeditionary Force from United States to France. The troop-ships in Group One of this First Expeditionary Force were the merchant steamers _Tenadores_, _Saratoga_, _Havana_, and _Pastores_. The escort assigned to them comprised the cruiser _Seattle_, flagship of Rear Admiral Gleaves, the yacht _Corsair_, the armed transport _DeKalb_, and the destroyers _Wilkes_, _Terry_, and _Roe_. Three other groups followed in a similar arrangement. The secret orders received by the commander of the _Corsair_ were as follows: From: Commander Destroyer Force, Commanding U.S. Convoy Operations in the Atlantic. To: Convoy Group Number One. Subject: Movement Order. 1. Execute Operation Order No. 1 of 7 June, 1917. Escort arrive Ambrose Channel Lightship at 7.00 A.M., 14 June. Convoy arrive Ambrose Channel Lightship at 7.30 A.M., 14 June. Group One will, on arrival at Ambrose Channel Lightship, assume following formation: