The New York herald., 1922-04-10
LEVIATHAN STEAMS
mold time MAJESTY
Once German Liner and Queen
of Seas Starts for S1O,-
100000 Repair Job.
QUITS HARBOR SMOOTHLY
Crew Of 700 and Supplies for
Long Voyage for 18 Hour
Trip to Newport News.
QUITS HARBOR SMOOTHLY


In the half ligkt OF early morning,
made more eerie by searchlights that
played through the haze that hung
over tie harbor, the giant liner Levia-
than-greatest thing afioat save the
more modern Majestic-which has lain
at her Hoboken pier since September.
1919, responded to the pull of a half
dozen tugs and without mishap o.
Eitch yesterday eased her way astern
into the North River and pointed her
nose down stream.
Two hours later ate7:02 to be exac-,
the liner was passing Quarantine un-
der her own power on her run to New
port News, where she is to be recondi-
toned to take he-P:ace IN the Ameri-
can merchant marine.
The smoothness and comparative
case with which the Leviathan was
moved was emphatic answer to those
experts" who predicted every sort Of
misfortune should tie attempt be
made. After Capt. Walter j. Bernard,
marine superintendent OF the Army
Transport Service, gave the order to
cast Off, the towlines from the tugs
slowly tautened and the big hull be-
San at first to creep along the line. Of
the pier out toward the river. The
movement gained momentum slowly
but steadily until 1t was certain ske
was free.
False Alarm Music to CroaI<ers.
Three blasts from her whistle, pene-
trating and defiant, recalled the opinion
OF some marine authorities, frequently
expressed. that she was stuck fast In
the mud and silt of the Hoboken shore.
brief cheer from few score watchers
on the Lackawanna ferryboat Ithaca
went up when hundred feet or so out
the Leviathan's propeliers began to turn
and the tide swung ncr bow around
toward the New York shore.
There was no din of whistles to send
the big ship on her voyage. Nothing like
that which welcomed her on her first
appearance in this port, when she was
the German yaterland and undisputed
queen Of the seas; nothing like that
which welcomed the transport Leviathan
on her last arrival with IL 900 American
doughboys returning from overseas
1t was 5 o'clock when the Leviathan
was pulled out OF her berth on the south
side of pier and started on her 27O
mile voyage. On board besides Capt
Bernard. Pilot Mclaughlin and a crew
OF 700. were Capt. James G. Peake of the
Virginia Pilots Association. who will
take her into Newport News; William
u. Gibbs and r. II. Gibbs OF the con-
struction department o. the Int srna-
tional Mercantile Marine, who know the
big ship from stem to stern, and Capt
J. j. Moran, who has been In charge OF
the vessel since she lay IN Hoboken and
who will be her executive officer under
Capt Bernard.
The Leviathan was watered and pro-
visioned for an ocean voyage. although
1t was expected the trip would be made
in about eighteen hours.
The voyage down the river and
through the Narrows was without incl
dent
The Leviathan Is still In her wartime
coat OF gray. with great patches OF red
paint on her sides. where corrosion
threatened. Her engines, solid parts and
wireless arc, however. in first class
shape. and 1t Is only for general refit-
| ting and rcdecorating FOR the passenger
service that she needs attention. When
she returns from Newport News. +. II.
Gibbs said yesterday, she will be the
finest ship In service.
Although the bid for reconditioning
the Leviathan Is for $500. 900 IL is gem
orally conceded among shipping men
that $40, ,00o. 900 will be spent on her
before she is ready for servi3e.
Precautions MT Cape Henry.
As precautionary measure against
any accident Detailing the Leviathan
when she passes in the Virginia Capes
this morning. Coast Guard cutters arc
patrolling the entrance to Cape Henry
and the main channel from the capes
to Newport News, where the big craft
will be locked.
Everything Is In readiness to dock
the Lcviathan at Newport News. II
the weather should be unfavorablc for
docking her the ship will be anchored
in the stream. A mammoth mooring
has been sunk directly or the New
port News shipyard, and II there Is a
strong tide or high winds the Leviathan
will be made fast to the buoy. The
Leviathan would also drop her own
mud hooks.
At 2 o'clock yesterday afternoon the
Leviathan was forty-three miles south
OF Ambrose Channel. She was making
fftccn knots. She was due TO arrive
of Cape Henry at o'clock this morn
ing and should reach the shipyard by
o'clock. A radio message from the
| big ship at o'clock Yesterday after
noon reported weather conditions the
best and everything all right.