At 19:16 on 13 June 1917, the steamship was standing out of New York Harbor in a thick fog and collided with "Amphitrite", suffering damage below the waterline. Attempting to clear, "Manchuria" scraped the guardship's bow, and her propeller strut fouled her cable, holding her fast for 20 minutes. "Manchuria" lowered her boats and abandoned ship; two section patrol boats and a motor sailer stood by and took life boats in tow. Ultimately, "Manchuria" was towed and beached off Tompkinsville, while "Amphitrite" continued her net-tending duties.