The liner departed Veracruz on 14 December 1939 but soon thereafter was escorted by seven destroyers, including the . Captain Willibald Dahne, the master of the "Columbus", was careful to keep his ship within the neutrality zone until she was abreast of the Delaware capes. He then headed east. The "Tuscaloosa", meanwhile, had been ordered out to participate. On 16 December, two days after "Columbus" departed Veracruz, "Tuscaloosa" stood out of Norfolk, bound for her patrol station. She soon relieved and —two flushdeckers— at 0600 on 18 December. On 19 December, the liner spotted the British destroyer , who sent a warning shot and then a flash signal, "You are captured."