From: Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, V. 4, 1969, p. 188.
A town in Aroostook County, Maine, on the St. John River, 17 miles east-northeast of Fort Kent.
(trans: t. 5,864; l. 490'4"; b. 35'3"; dph. 27'5"; s. 15.5 k.; a. 4 6"; 2 mgs, 2 1-pdrs.)
König Wilhlem II, built by Akt. Ges. Veleau, Stetten, Germany, was launched 20 July 1907, and operated
for the Hamburg-American Line on the transatlantic run until World War I, when she was interned in New York. Seized
by the United States early in 1917, she was subsequently transferred to the Navy. Commissioned König Wilhelm
II at New York 27 August 1918, she was renamed Madawaska 1 September.
Part of the Cruiser and Transport Service, Atlantic Fleet, Madawaska made 10 trips to Europe during the
war, transporting 12,000 troops. After the Armistice, she made seven trips to France to return 17,000 troops to
the United States. Arriving New York 23 August 1919 after her final voyage, Madawaska decommissioned and
was transferred to the War Department 2 September 1919 for use as an Army transport.
Transcribed by Richard H. Bouchard.