1917 Tuscania

 

In March of 1917 while the Tuscania was 300 miles West of Fastnet Light, off the Irish Coast a German U-boat is sited. The Tuscania went ahead at 16 Knots in a zigzag coarse, the Submarine gave chase but gave up the pursuit. The United States declared War on Germany on April 6th 1917. In August 1917 the U.S. Army 16th Engineers boarded the Tuscania in New York and sailed for Liverpool. 

 

The photo of the 16th U.S. Army Engineers boarding the Tuscania in Halifax, Canada in August 1917. Courtesy of the United States Military History Institute still photo collection.

 

Note: There were two ships in the early 20th century named Tuscania. Tuscania I - 1915 to 1918 with Two Smoke Stacks & Tuscania II - 1922 to 1961 that had a Single Smoke Stack.

 

January 6, 2007

Thanks for this intriguing web site. My father was an engineer in the AEF and sailed to Europe on the Tuscania. He was on the voyage before the sinking (1917 departure). Very enjoyable and informative!!

 

Sarah Huffman

billandsarah{at}ktc.com