A former name retained. A German name.
Prinz Friedrich Wilhelm was built in 1907 by J. C. Tecklenborg A. G., Geestemunde, Germany for Norddeutscher Lloyd, Bremen, Germany; seized at Bremerhaven by the Allied Maritime Council after the Armistice; and commissioned 30 March 1919 at Cowes, England, Comdr. Julius Curtis Townsend in command.
Prinz Friedrich Wilhelm was assigned at once to the New York Division, Cruiser and Transport Force, and sailed 10 April for Brest. Operating between Brest and Hoboken, she completed 5 westward crossings, returning 15,213 World War I veterans to the United States, ending 23 August 1919. Among the principal Army units carried were the 3rd Battalion, 165th Infantry; 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry; 10th Field Artillery Battalion; 21st Machine Gun Battalion; 270th and 296th Military Police Cos.; and 3rd Division Headquarters Co. including Maj. Gen Robert L. Howze, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division. She decommissioned 25 November 1919 at New York and was turned over to the USSB the same day.
