After her requisition by the U.S. government, "Havana" was turned over to the United States Army on 24 May 1917 for service as a transport ship. She was hastily outfitted for trooping duties, and at daybreak on 14 June, USAT "Havana", with fellow Army transport ships "Saratoga", , and , accompanied by cruisers , , destroyers , , , and converted yacht , set out from Ambrose Light for Brest, France. They were in the lead group of the first American troop convoy to France during World War I. "Corsair" was unable to maintain the pace and fell back, being replaced by destroyer from the second group.