Former name retained.
Merauke, launched in 1911 by Kon. Maats. de Schelde, Flushing, the Netherlands, was operated by the Rotterdamsche Lloyd S.S. Co., an Austrian controlled firm, until World War I. Interned at New York, she was seized by customs officials under the authority of the Presidential Proclamation of 20 March 1918; turned over to the Navy and commissioned as an NOTS vessel 28 March 1918.
Refitted by 2 April, Merauke proceeded to Philadelphia where she loaded her first Army supply cargo and on the 25th joined a convoy for her first transatlantic voyage as a military vessel. She arrived at Brest, France, 10 May, partially offloaded her consignment, continued on to St. Nazaire to complete her mission, and returned to Philadelphia 18 June. During the next 9 months she completed three additional round trips to Europe and on 20 March 1919 weighed anchor for her last voyage as a U.S. Navy ship. Sailing via Copenhagen, she arrived at Rotterdam 21 April. There, after repairs, she decommissioned and was returned to the Rotterdam Lloyd SS Co., 8 May 1919.
