Scolley Square and Beacon Hill did not realize they were saying 'Goodbye' to the crew, not to see them for another two years. But the men had put two and two together. When the ship left Boston during the evening traffic rush, the men were not to surprised. The exact nature of their cruise was not revealed to them until they were well underway. Without a source of barside scuttlebutt, the ship's company arrived in Halifax in the same condition as the weather: a complete fog. The ship remained at anchor, joining the chorus of fog horns.

Speculation had been high regarding the appearance of the land, interest having been concentrated on bright lights. With long faces, the crew saw the bleak, weather-beaten countryside appear through the clearing weather. The Indians who lived along the shore greeted the ship in the true frontier style by letting go a few war whoops. That having enlivened the crew, they were disappointed again, when instead of a rip-roaring frontier town, sleepy Halifax appeared around the bend. On liberty, the men found the town as quiet as they had feared. There was no place to go to uphold the reputations. After a few beers, a few souvenirs, and a walk on the main street, they relaxed and listened to the town's only excitement. In 1917, a French ammunition ship had rammed a Norwegian freighter. The excitement had been enough to last the city until the end of time.

Back at the ship, British Tommie, shivering in the cold, awaited their time to come aboard. Some were prepared to not walk back, they had their bicycles with them.

When, at the end of the week, the ship pulled out, she became part of a convoy including the 'West Point','Wakefield','Leonard Wood','Dickman','Hunter Liggett','Ranger','Orizaba','Astoria','Vincennes','Quincy','Cimmeron','Annapolis' and escorting destroyers.

The British and the Americans soon became friends. International understanding were worked out by the mutual good nature of both parties. Some Tommies were on a working party which worked beyond their dinner hour. Their Commanding Officer had arranged with the Paymaster Commander McCray to have them served tea after the job was finished. When they arrived in the mess hall and found the tea, milk, and sugar, they hesitated. The chief commissary steward, noting their hesitation asked, 'Why?'

'The tay. We're waiting for the tay.' the sergeant answered.
'Well, there it is', replied the steward.
'But 'es tay.'
'That's right.'
'But, 'es just tay.'
'Yes, I know. I was supposed to give you tea. There it is.' The chief had become irritated.
'But, tay means meat and vittels.' The sergeant patiently explained.
'When I'm told to serve tea. I serve tea. its there. You can drink it or leave it alone, I'm going to hit my sack.' The chief left the bewildered group."

As the weather became warmer and the novelty of passengers began to wear, rope yarn Sundays were started--on Wednesday afternoons. Boxing matches, arranged by Chaplain Martin took part of the time and amateur shows finished the day. Once the English put on a skit for the show. The American evaluation of the British brand of humor is well known.

The course drew the ship through the passage called the Dragon's Mouth into the harbor of Port au Prince, Trinidad. Ship's company was intrigued by their first close up of a tropical island. They discussed the mysteries beyond the mountains, the pitch lake, and the liquor. Ten percent of the crew was allowed ashore. Those left aboard tried swimming off the fan tail. Divers made all manner of attempts at diving. Pulling themselves up the boat falls proved too strenuous in the tropical heat.