USS Freedom ( ID - 3024 ) USS " Freedom " ( ID - 3024 ) was a cargo and transport ship in the United States Navy during World War I . Originally SS " Wittekind for the North German Lloyd line , the ship also served as USAT " Iroquois and USAT " Freedom " after being seized by the United States in 1917 . SS " Wittekind " was built in Germany for the Bremen – New York service of the Roland Line service of North German Lloyd , and was the sister ship of . In March 1900 " Wittekind " was lengthened because her cargo capacity was found lacking . Later that same year , " Wittekind " was among the first transports to carry German Empire troops as part of the Eight - Nation Alliance intended to put down the Boxer Rebellion in China . In August 1914 , at the start of World War I , the ship was interned at Boston in the neutral United States . When the U . S . entered that conflict in April 1917 , " Wittekind " was seized and turned over to the United States Shipping Board . Renamed " Iroquois " , the ship was chartered to the United States Army as a cargo ship after a refit , and , in 1918 , was renamed " Freedom " . In January 1919 the ship was commissioned into the United States Navy , and carried almost 5 , 000 troops home from Europe before her decommissioning in September . Held in reserve for transport duty , the ship was laid up for five years before being scrapped in 1924 . SS " Wittekind " . SS " Wittekind " was built by Blohm & Voss of Hamburg for North German Lloyd ’ s Roland Line , which was a fortnightly steerage and freight service from Bremen to New York . Launched on 3 February 1894 , " Wittekind " — named for Wittekind ( c . 730 – 808 ) , the Duke of Saxony — and sister - ship " Willehad " were the first twin - screw steamers expressly built for North German Lloyd . The new liner sailed on her maiden voyage to Hoboken , New Jersey on 14 April . " Wittekind " and sister - ship " Willehad " were both quickly found to be deficient in cargo space , and plans were made to lengthen both vessels ( though " Willehad " was never lengthened ) . " Wittekind " < nowiki > ' < / nowiki > s bridge was moved forward and a cargo hatch was installed behind it . After this , the ship was cut into two parts forward of the bridge ' s new position , and a new section was inserted , which greatly increased the cargo capacity . Sources disagree as to where the procedure was performed with one reporting it was performed at the Seebeck Yard in Germany , while another claims it was done by Tyne Pontoons & Drydock Co . , at Newcastle . Wherever the work was performed , it was completed by March 1900 . On 3 July 1900 , " Wittekind " sailed from Bremerhaven with as the initial transport ships to depart with troops of Germany ’ s contribution to the Eight - Nation Alliance intended to put down the Boxer Rebellion in China . " Wittekind " remained in naval service as a transport and hospital ship through late October 1901 . After her naval service ended , " Wittekind " sailed variously to Baltimore , Maryland ; Galveston , Texas ; Montreal ; and ports in South America through mid - 1914 . At sea and headed for Montreal when the United Kingdom declared war on the German Empire , " Wittekind " instead headed for Boston and safety in the then - neutral United States . The steamer — carrying a cargo of lead and coal tar products reportedly worth $ 1 , 000 , 000 — slipped past British cruiser in a dense fog near Sable Island . " Wittekind " < nowiki > ' < / nowiki > s wireless operator calculated that the ship passed fewer than from " Essex " . The steamer was interned by the U . S . and her Canadian - bound passengers — 18 cabin - , and 305 steerage - class who were not allowed to remain in the United States — were greeted by the Canadian Commissioner of Immigration who was stationed at Boston . " Wittekind " was joined in Boston by sister - ship " Willehad " ; North German Lloyd line - mates and ; the Hamburg America Line steamers SS " Amerika " and ; and Hansa Line freighter . In March 1916 , all except " Kronprinzessin Cecilie " and " Ockenfels " were moved from their waterfront piers to an anchorage across the harbor from the Boston Navy Yard . Daily " neutrality duty " by United States Coast Guard harbor tug kept a watchful eye on the ships . Many crew members of the ships eventually went ashore , were processed through immigration , and found employment , while a contingent of musicians from the vessels toured New England , frequently playing at department stores and restaurants , and drawing the ire of the local musicians ' union . After the U . S . declared war on Germany , " Wittekind " and the other interned ships were seized on 6 April 1917 and handed over to the United States Shipping Board ( USSB ) . United States service in World War I . After her seizure and refitting , the former liner was chartered to the United States Army as USAT " Iroquois " . In 1918 , her name was again changed , this time to " Freedom " . On 24 January 1919 , " Freedom " was acquired by the United States Navy and commissioned the same day , with Lieutenant J . C . C . Holier , USNRF , in command . " Freedom " was assigned to the Cruiser and Transport Force , and after overhaul at New York , sailed on a voyage to Saint - Nazaire , France , and embarked troops for return to the United States . The cargo ship made two more voyages to France , each to Brest , with a visit to Norfolk , Virginia , between trips . She returned a total of 4 , 983 troops on her voyages from France . She arrived at Hoboken on 5 September 1919 and was assigned to duty in the 3rd Naval District . " Freedom " was decommissioned at New York on 23 September and returned to the USSB the same day . The veteran ship was transferred to the United States Army transport reserve , and was laid up for five years . On 24 February 1924 , " Freedom " arrived at Baltimore for scrapping .