From: Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships

Powhatan IV


SP-3013
Displacement 18,026
Length 544'11"
Beam 60'2"
Draw 30'
Speed 16 k
Complement 533
Armament 4 6", 2 1-pounders, 2 mg
Class

Powhatan (SP-3013), originally Hamburg, was built in 1899 by Aktiengesellschaft Vulkan, Stettin, Germany for the Hamburg-American Packet Steamship Co. Due to British control of the seas she was caught in New York at the outbreak of World War I and remained there from 31 July 1914 until commissioned as the troop transport Hamburg by the Navy 16 August 1917 Comdr. G. S. Lincoln in command.

She was renamed Powhatan 5 September 1917 and began the first of 12 consecutive Atlantic crossings 12 November 1917. Powhatan was twice attacked by a submarine in the Bay of Biscay 4 April 1918 but survived unscathed due to prompt location and depth charging by the escorting destroyers. From 12 November 1917 to 9 December 1918, she carried 15,274 troops to France and after the war she returned 11,803 Servicemen to the U.S.

Powhatan decommissioned 2 September 1919 and was turned over to the Army Transport Service at New York.