The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-12-16
LEVIATHAN Is HELD
AT THE HOOK BY FOG
Transport With 5000 Fight
ing Men Will Reach Hobo
ken This Morning.
MANY WOUNDED ABOARD
Thro6g Of Relatives Wait Pa
tiently in Rain and Mist
to Welcome Them.

The Leviathan. giantess Of all the
oceans-formerly the German liner
Vaterland until put into the United
States Naval Transport Service-came
| through the fog early yesterday morn
ing and played tag with the American
continent Off Sandy Hook for an hour.
But as the fog was solid enough to
crack nuts on, the wise naval men
directing the destinies Of the great
ship and her cargo Of almost 5000 re-
turning fighting men finally decided
to chuck out the mudhook off Ambrose
| Light and wait at least until the fog
began to show signs Of cracking.
| 1t was officially reported at the
naval transport information head
quarters Mt Hoboken last night that,
weather permitting, the Lev!athan will
warp into Pier 4. Hoboken, at S:45
O'Clock this morning. She will bring
in 1s3 army officers, 1881 enlisted
men and a number of civilian war
workers. Among the soldiers are
many who were wounded. OF the 1881
enlisted men aboard almost 1000 are
sailors returning from the war zone.
Comes In, but Turns Back.
The Levisthan made one slight at
tempt to come up the lower bay yes
terday shortly after she was first re-
ported off the Hook at 1880 A. NJ. but
she soon swung around again and
stood OFF for an anchorage to one side
Of the fairway, which at any moment
might prove to be the scene of a dem
onstration OF the aged wheeze that
two bodies of matter cannot occupy
the same place at the same time.
There was no sense. 30 1t was de-
cided aboard the Leviathan, to stand
around in the middle OF the street,
where q tug might come along any
minute and break its nose on the
Leviathan floating ribs.
Early morning mists and rain, plus
a lack Of reliable news. could not
keep the crowds OF men. women and
children from flocking to the New
York and New Jersey waterfronts to
see the big skhf come up the river.
River street, Hoboken, for a stretch
OF a quarter of a mile or more was
crowded. especially during the after
moon, with parents, whole family
parties. soldiers sweethearts and the
plain curious, all waiting hopefully
in the rain for the eruption Of noise
and perhaps a glimpse above the pier
roofs OF funnel tops that would tell
the ship had come home.
The Mayors welcoming committee,
aboard the police boat Patrol. fused
around the upper bay from o'clock
In the morning until mid-afterncon
in the hope that it would set a
chance to function. Crowds stood
many humans deep along the Battery
wall. waiting expectantly during a
greater part OF the day.
Hear "Home, sweet Home.''
The Mayors Committee succeeded
in coming within hailing distance OF
the homecoming men. The patrol
boat with 200 men and women aboard
steamed out to a point three miles of
Sandy Hook. within sight of the Jer-
: sey shore where the Leviathan was
found waiting for the fog 10 lift
When the police boat had approached
. within hearing distance, the hand
struck up Home. Sweet Home and
the committee cheered. They were
greeted with an appreciative roar
from soldiers who appeared every
: where on the big liner, while the Le-
viathan herself snorted out her thanks
2 with siren and whistle. Half an hour
later. after falling in an attempt &c
get within cigarette tossing range o
: the homecomers. the police boat put
: back to New York
Services OF Thanksgiving for the
safe return OF the Leviathan were
held in the saloon OF the Patrol Will,
she was returning. The Rev. Or
7 William George 1vie Of Brooklyn. po
, lice chaplain recited prayers ant
hymns were sung by the Police Gle
Club.