The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-09-28
VATERLAND Will
CARRY 10000
TROOPS A TRIP
Great German Boat, Seized
When War Broke Out,
Becomes Transport
FINE FACILITIES
FOR THE SOLDIERS
Decks Permit Full Regi-
ments to Vancouver
Ship Is Remarkable

New York.-On July % the stars
and stripes fluttered for the first time
in all history at the stern of the
greatest steamship ahoat-great not
only in size, but the wonderful per
lection of its construction, in luxury
OF httings-in a word, the ultimate
thing in merchant marine designing
quickly convertible to the uses OF
war.
This is the informed German steam
ship Vaterland lying at the Hamburg
American pier at Hoboken-and soon
to sail with American troops for
France. What it's new name will be
and when it will again be in commits
sion under our flag may not at this
moment be written, but that this great
ship, along with others, Is now Amer
lean property is one thing for which
we may thank the kaiser.
Built for Troop Ship.
The last word of German efficiency
and foresight in designing an army
transport finds expression in the
mammoth Vaterland. The highest
military authorities in the German
army were consulted when 1t was
built. Although built for the passen-
ger service in time of peace, this
largest ship in the world was intend
ed to be especially valuable Tor
transporting troops in case of need.
Scores of details of its construction
and arrangement show how carefully
it was planned for this ultimate pur-
pose.
bles have been completely turned
upon Germany. The biggest and most
efficient troop ship in the world is
today in the possession of the United
States. When Der Tag, so long an
ticipated and prepared for, arrives 1t
finds this magnificent ship, the pride
of the German navy, in the hands of
an enemy. BY employing the Water
land to transport troops to Germany,
or to France to begin with, one of the
kaiser's chief weapons is actually
turned against him.
Can Carry Small Army.
A small army with complete equip
ment may be carried on the Water
land on a single crossing. In the his
tory of warfare there has been no
troop ship in its class. In times of
peace it carries comfortably 5000
people. There are ample accommoda-
tions for 5000 passengers and more
than 1000 in the crew. BY utilizing
travel aboard the great troop ship
without undue crowding. Since its
speed enables 1T to cross the Atlantic
in a week or less, the Vaterland is
therefore capable of rushing troops
from America to Europe at the rate
of about 10000 a month.
The Vaterland will besides, thanks
to German foresight, be well prepared
to take care of itself. The ship is
equipped with full complement of
gun mounts on it's long decks. 1t is
only necessary to mount American
guns on the German bases to make
the vessel a very formidable cruiser.
The ship is designed to carry a bat
terry which. considering it's great size,
will make 1t a very dangerous antag-
onist IL attacked. Fully equipped,
the vessel is capable of delivering a
broadside which it's antagonist may
well fear. "
Equipped to Fight Submarines.
The Vaterland is especially well de-
signed and equipped to combat sub
marines. The ship carries an elabor-
ate electric device for detecting un-
dersea craft. even in times of peace.
The submarine detectors, connected
by telephone with the bridge, are used
in peace times to pick up, the sub
marine signals at the entrance to
harbors
ships afloat built with a double skin
running along its entire length just
below the water line. In the event of
a submarine attack this outer shell
may be torn away without endangeF-
ing the inner hull. The wireless
equipment is the most powerful in the
world. In case of attack. assistance
could be summoned over a wide radi-
us. and the ship is even capable of
flashing its messages more than half
ship can be constantly In touch with
land either on one shore or the other.
Room for Regiments to Drill.
Although carrying ten regiments of
soldiers. the Vaterland would not be
crowded, as on other troop ships, and
the soldiers would reach their destin-
alton in excellent physical condition.
The ordinary army transport offers
little or no opportunity for the troops
to exercise during a voyage. The |
Vaterland designers anticipated just
this necessity. The long sweep of its !
s00-foot decks enables thousands of
men to drill with the freedom OF a
parade ground. The ships after deck, |
100 feet in width, makes 1t a simple |
matter for an entire regiment to drill |
The Vaterland also carries |
two large gymnasiums completely |
equipped with mechanical exercising |
apparatus where thousands of, soil
diers could be accommodated every |
day.
The Roman bath of the vaterland |
is famous. In this great pool scores |
Of soldiers may enjoy sea bathing to- |
gether. BY utilizing the great bath |
the twenty-four hours n |
part of the forces could |
enjoy this inVigorating exercise daily. |
There are besides over 500 bathrooms !
J board the giant troop ship. The off, |
GERS could not only be accommodated /
with private baths, but thousands of /
the soldiers could be sure Of daily /
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