At the outbreak of World War I, the French government took over many of CGT's liners—including "La Touraine"—for a variety of duties. During the war, the German government established an intelligence and sabotage operation within the United States. On July 30, 1916, this campaign carried out the sabotage of the Black Tom pier in Jersey City, New Jersey, destroying the munitions depot there and causing severe damage to numerous structures including the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island complex.