USS Harvard ( 1888 ) The first USS " Harvard of the United States Navy was an auxiliary cruiser in the Spanish - American War . She was launched as " City of New York " , and later commissioned as Plattsburg " ( SP - 1645 ) for service in World War I . Originally a schooner - rigged steamship , she was launched in 1888 as " City of New York " by John Brown and Company , Clydebank , Scotland , for the Inman Line . Sister ship of " City of Paris " , " City of New York " was one of the largest and best liners of her day , and one of the first steamships with twin screws . She was transferred to American registry under the American Line in 1893 as " New York " . These ships brought the United States to the front rank in the Atlantic passenger trade , and " New York " established the record for the Southampton to New York crossing in September 1893 . Spanish - American war . At the outbreak of the Spanish - American War , " New York " was chartered as an auxiliary cruiser with a civilian crew , commissioning on 26 April 1898 at New York , Captain C . S . Cotton in command and renamed " Harvard " . Assigned as a scout , " Harvard " departed New York on 30 April to cruise West Indian waters in search of the Spanish fleet . After sending back several reports on the location of Spanish units in the Caribbean , " Harvard " was blockaded by a larger force at Saint - Pierre , Martinique from 11 – 17 May , after which she proceeded to Santiago de Cuba and St . Nicholas Mole , Haiti , with dispatches from Commodore Winfield Scott Schley . Interrupting her scouting duties , " Harvard " returned to Newport News , Virginia , 7 – 26 June during which time her crew was officially taken into the Naval Service . " Harvard " returned to the Caribbean with troops and supplies , arriving at Altares , Cuba , about 1 July . The morning of 3 July , she received the electrifying news that the Spanish fleet had sortied . After Rear Admiral William T . Sampson ' s smashing victory off Santiago , she rescued survivors . Despite the high surf and ammunition explosions from the stricken Spanish ships , " Harvard " succeeded in recovering over 600 officers and men . On 4 July 1898 , the 9th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry were guarding the prisoners of war inside " Harvard " . A guard ordered a prisoner , who was attempting to cross the line , to return . The prisoner did not understand English and the guard fired a shot causing other prisoners to stand up . Fearing the prisoners were about to attack , the guards opened fire killing six prisoners and wounding thirteen more . After the investigation , it was concluded that it was a mistake . The tragedy was known as " Harvard Incident " . No longer needed as a scout in the Caribbean , " Harvard " was sent back to the United States 10 July 1898 . She was temporarily turned over to the War Department , and returned to Santiago de Cuba to transport troops back to the United States . " Harvard " arrived at New York on 27 August and decommissioned 2 September 1898 at New York Navy Yard . World War I and demise . Reverting to her old name , " New York " , the ship resumed transatlantic service with the American Line until World War I . During this period she underwent extensive conversion in 1903 , when one of her three funnels was removed . When United States joined World War I , again needed in support of American forces abroad , " New York " was chartered by the Navy 9 May 1918 for use as a troop transport . She commissioned as " Plattsburg " on 24 May 1918 and commanded by Claude C . Bloch . " Plattsburg " made four voyages from New York to Liverpool transporting the American Expeditionary Force to Europe , and after the end of the war made a total of seven voyages , bringing home over 24 , 000 veterans . She returned to New York after her final crossing on 29 August 1919 , and was returned to her owners on 6 October 1919 . As " New York " , the ship once again plied the Atlantic with passengers , but she was no longer a first - class liner and was withdrawn from service in 1920 . Sold to the Polish Navigation Company , she made two more voyages , but the company was soon forced to close down and the ship was scrapped in 1923 .