View source for SS Vigilancia

{{Short description|US steamship sunk in the First World War}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2024}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
|Ship image= Vigilancia NARA 45500296.jpg
|Ship caption= ''{{lang|es|Vigilancia}}'' in [[Ward Line]] colors
}}
{{Infobox ship career
|Hide header= 
|Ship flag= {{shipboxflag|US|1890}}
|Ship country= United States
|Ship name= ''{{lang|es|Vigilancia}}''
|Ship namesake= Spanish for "vigilance"
|Ship owner= *1890: US & Brazil SS Co
*1893: Ludlow & Co
*1894: [[Ward Line|New York & Cuba Mail SS Co]]
*1915: Walker, Armstrong & Co
*1916: Gaston, Williams & Wigmore
|Ship operator= 1894: [[Ward Line]]
|Ship registry= *1890: [[Port of New York and New Jersey|New York]]
*1915: [[Port of Savannah|Savannah]]
*1916: [[Port of Wilmington (Delaware)|Wilmington]]
|Ship route= *1891: New York – [[Río de la Plata]]
*1894: New York – [[Tampico]]
*1896: New York – [[Veracruz (city)|Vera Cruz]]
*1911: New York – Tampico
|Ship ordered= 
|Ship builder= [[Delaware River Iron Ship Building and Engine Works|Delaware River Co]], [[Chester, Pennsylvania|Chester, PA]]
|Ship original cost= between $400,000 and $450,000
|Ship yard number= 259
|Ship laid down= 
|Ship launched= 17 September 1890
|Ship completed= 1890
|Ship maiden voyage= 
|Ship refit= 
|Ship identification= *US [[official number]] 161643
*[[code letters]] KHSN
*{{ICS|Kilo}}{{ICS|Hotel}}{{ICS|Sierra}}{{ICS|November}}
*by 1914: [[Maritime call sign|call sign]] KWV
|Ship fate= sunk by torpedo, 1917
|Ship notes= 
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
|Hide header= 
|Header caption= 
|Ship type= *1890: [[ocean liner]]
*1915: [[cargo ship]]
|Ship tonnage= {{GRT|4115}}, {{NRT|2934}}
|Ship length= {{cvt|321.3|ft|abbr=on}}
|Ship beam= {{cvt|45.3|ft|abbr=on}}
|Ship draft= 
|Ship depth= {{cvt|27.3|ft|abbr=on}}
|Ship decks= 3
|Ship power= 339 [[Horsepower#Nominal horsepower|NHP]]; 2,900 [[Horsepower#Indicated horsepower|ihp]]
|Ship propulsion= *1 × [[Marine steam engine#Triple or multiple expansion|triple-expansion engine]]
*1 × [[Propeller|screw]]
|Ship sail plan= [[barquentine]]
|Ship speed= {{convert|13.89|kn|km/h|1}} maximum
|Ship capacity= *passengers: 118 × 1st class; 42 × steerage
*cargo: by 1914 included {{convert|2500|cuft|0}} [[Reefer ship|refrigerated]]
|Ship troops= 1898: 45 officers + 800 enlisted
|Ship crew= *1909: 87
*1917: 43
|Ship complement= 
|Ship notes= [[sister ship]]: ''{{lang|es|Seguranca}}''
}}
|}

'''SS ''{{lang|es|Vigilancia}}''''' was a [[Merchant ship|merchant]] [[steamship]] that was built in [[Pennsylvania]] in 1890. She sailed between [[Port of New York and New Jersey|New York]] and Brazil via the [[West Indies]] until 1893, when her original owners went bankrupt. The New York and Cuba Mail Steamship Company, commonly known as [[Ward Line]], owned her from 1894 until 1914, and ran her between New York and Mexico via Cuba. In 1898 she was a [[troopship]] in the [[Spanish–American War]].

''{{lang|es|Vigilancia}}'' was a [[Passenger ship|passenger]] and [[cargo ship]] until 1915, when she was bought by a company in [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]] to export US cotton to [[German Empire|Germany]]. In 1916 she was bought by a new company that exported US trucks to the [[Allies of World War I|Entente Powers]]. In March 1917 a [[U-boat]] sank her in the North [[Atlantic Ocean|Atlantic]], killing 15 of her crew, including six US citizens. This is one of several German attacks on US merchant ships that helped to [[American entry into World War I|provoke the US to declare war on Germany]].

==Building==
In 1890 the [[Delaware River Iron Ship Building and Engine Works]] of [[Chester, Pennsylvania]] built a pair of [[sister ship]]s for the United States and Brazil Steam Ship Company. They were named ''{{lang|es|Seguranca}}'' and ''{{lang|es|Vigilancia}}'', meaning "Security" and "Vigilance".{{sfn|''Lloyd's Register of Shipping'' 1891|loc=SED–SEN}}{{sfn|''Lloyd's Register of Shipping'' 1891|loc=VID–VIK}} ''{{lang|es|Vigilancia}}'' was said to have cost between $400,000 and $450,000.<ref name=Sun-1909-0726/><ref name=NYT-1903-0404>{{cite news |title=Three Brazil liners sold. |url-access=subscription |newspaper=The New York Times |date=4 April 1893 |page=8 |access-date=26 March 2024 |via=Times Machine |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1893/04/04/106818454.html?pageNumber=8}}</ref>

''{{lang|es|Vigilancia}}'' was built as yard number 259<ref name=Wrecksite>{{cite web |url= https://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?31556 |last1=Vleggeert |first1=Nico |last2=Lettens |first2=Jan |last3=Allen |first3=Tony |date=22 February 2021 |title=SS Vigilancia (+1917) |work=Wrecksite |access-date=26 March 2024}}</ref> and launched on 17 September 1890.<ref name=NYT-1890--918>{{cite news |title=An iron steamship launched |url-access=subscription |newspaper=The New York Times |date=18 September 1890 |page=1 |access-date=26 March 2024 |via=Times Machine |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1890/09/18/103265707.html?pageNumber=1}}</ref> She was of mixed iron and steel construction. Her registered length was {{cvt|321.3|ft|abbr=on}}, her [[Beam (nautical)|beam]] was {{cvt|45.3|ft|abbr=on}}, and her depth was {{cvt|27.3|ft|abbr=on}}. Her [[tonnage]]s were {{GRT|4115}} and {{NRT|2934}}.{{sfn|''Lloyd's Register of Shipping'' 1891|loc=VID–VIK}} As built, she had berths for 160 passengers: 118  in first class, and 42 in steerage.<ref name=NYT-1890--918/>

She had a single [[Propeller|screw]], driven by a three-cylinder [[Marine steam engine#Triple or multiple expansion|triple-expansion engine]] that was rated at 339 [[Horsepower#Nominal horsepower|NHP]] or 2,900 [[Horsepower#Indicated horsepower|ihp]]. She had two [[Funnel (ship)|funnels]], two masts, and was rigged as a [[barquentine]].{{sfn|''Lloyd's Register of Shipping'' 1896|loc=VIC–VIG}}<ref name=Sun-1909-0726>{{cite news |url= https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030272/1909-07-26/ed-1/seq-1/ |title=Vigilancia burns and sinks |newspaper=[[The Sun (New York City)|The Sun]] |date=26 July 1909 |page=1 |via=Library of Congress |access-date=26 March 2024}}</ref>

==United States – Brazil service==
The US and Brazil SS Co [[Ship registration|registered]] ''{{lang|es|Vigilancia}}'' in New York. Her US [[official number]] was 161643 and her [[code letters]] were KHSN.{{sfn|''Lloyd's Register of Shipping'' 1891|loc=VID–VIK}} By December 1891 her route was between New York and [[Río de la Plata]] via [[Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands|St Thomas]] in the [[Danish West Indies]]; [[Barbados]]; and ports in Brazil.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030214/1891-12-01/ed-1/seq-7/ |title=Postoffice Notice |newspaper=[[New-York Tribune]] |date=1 December 1891 |page=7 |via=Library of Congress |access-date=26 March 2024}}</ref> By 1892 the US and Brazil SS Co was offering fortnightly sailings between New York and Brazil,<ref>{{cite news |url= https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030214/1892-02-20/ed-1/seq-10/ |title=Barbados passage rates reduced |newspaper=New-York Tribune |date=20 February 1892 |page=10 |via=Library of Congress |access-date=26 March 2024}}</ref> and ''{{lang|es|Vigilancia}}''{{'}}s ports of call included [[Port of Santos|Santos]];<ref>{{cite news |url= https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030214/1892-03-23/ed-1/seq-12/ |title=The movements of steamers |newspaper=New-York Tribune |date=23 March 1892 |page=12 |via=Library of Congress |access-date=26 March 2024}}</ref> [[Port of Montevideo|Montevideo]]; [[Port of Buenos Aires|Buenos Aires]], and [[Port of Rosario|Rosario]].<ref>{{cite news |url= https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030214/1892-12-07/ed-1/seq-14/ |title=American passenger line |newspaper=New-York Tribune |date=7 December 1892 |page=14 |via=Library of Congress |access-date=26 March 2024}}</ref> By 1893 she also served [[Martinique]].<ref>{{cite news |url= https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030214/1893-02-10/ed-1/seq-10/ |title=American passenger lines |newspaper=New-York Tribune |date=10 February 1893 |page=10 |via=Library of Congress |access-date=26 March 2024}}</ref>

In December 1892 ''{{lang|es|Vigilancia}}'' passed a trial for a contract to carry mail between the US and Brazil. The contract required her to maintain {{convert|12|kn|km/h|0}}. She achieved {{convert|13.89|kn|km/h|1}} with 1,500 tons of cargo in her holds.<ref>{{cite news |title=Vigilancia's speed test |url-access=subscription |newspaper=The New York Times |date=10 December 1892 |page=8 |access-date=26 March 2024 |via=Times Machine |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1892/12/10/104155812.html?pageNumber=8}}</ref>

===Bankruptcy, seizure and sale===
[[File:Vigilancia NARA 45500302.jpg|thumb|''{{lang|es|Vigilancia}}'' under way]]
In April 1893 the US and Brazil SS Co went bankrupt, and its five ships were seized in lieu of debts to suppliers and unpaid wages to crew.<ref>{{cite news |title=The Seguranca seized |url-access=subscription |newspaper=The New York Times |date=3 April 1893 |page=5 |access-date=26 March 2024 |via=Times Machine |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1893/04/03/106818234.html?pageNumber=5}}</ref> EH Ludlow and Company bought four of them at auction, including ''{{lang|es|Vigilancia}}'' for $81,000<ref name=NYT-1903-0404/> and ''{{lang|es|Seguranca}}'' for $125,000.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sale of the Seguranca |url-access=subscription |newspaper=The New York Times |date=21 April 1893 |page=3 |access-date=26 March 2024 |via=Times Machine |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1893/04/21/109698152.html?pageNumber=3}}</ref>

On 1 November 1893 it was reported that the Brazilian Government had bought ten US merchant ships to convert into [[Armed merchantman#Auxiliary cruisers|auxiliary cruisers]] to fight against the [[Revolta da Armada]]. They included ''{{lang|es|Seguranca}}'', ''{{lang|es|Vigilancia}}'', and three other former US and Brazil SS Co steamships.<ref>{{cite news |title=Six more ships for Brazil |url-access=subscription |newspaper=The New York Times |date=1 November 1893 |page=1 |access-date=26 March 2024 |via=Times Machine |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1893/11/01/109267970.html?pageNumber=1}}</ref>

==Ward Line==
[[File:Seguranca 3375-10.jpg|thumb|''{{lang|es|Vigilancia}}''{{'}}s [[sister ship]] ''{{lang|es|Seguranca}}'']]
In 1894 Ward Line bought both ''{{lang|es|Seguranca}}'' and ''{{lang|es|Vigilancia}}''.{{sfn|''Lloyd's Register of Shipping'' 1896|loc=VIC–VIG}}{{sfn|''Lloyd's Register of Shipping'' 1896|loc=SEA–SEI}} By December 1894 ''{{lang|es|Vigilancia}}''{{'}}s route was between New York, [[Tampico]], and [[Progreso, Yucatán|Progreso]]<ref>{{cite news |url= https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030214/1894-12-19/ed-1/seq-7/ |title=Postoffice Notice |newspaper=New-York Tribune |date=19 December 1894 |page=7 |via=Library of Congress |access-date=26 March 2024}}</ref> via [[Havana Harbor|Havana]], [[Captaincy General of Cuba|Cuba]].<ref>{{cite news |url= https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030214/1894-11-19/ed-1/seq-3/ |title=Outgoing steamers. |newspaper=New-York Tribune |date=19 November 1894 |page=10 |via=Library of Congress |access-date=26 March 2024}}</ref> By October 1896 ''{{lang|es|Vigilancia}}''{{'}}s ports of call included [[Veracruz (city)|Vera Cruz]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Defied Havana's police |url-access=subscription |newspaper=The New York Times |date=17 October 1896 |page=5 |access-date=26 March 2024 |via=Times Machine |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1896/10/17/108256043.html?pageNumber=5}}</ref> On 1 November [[Fitzhugh Lee]], US Consul-General, left Havana for New York aboard her.<ref>{{cite news |title=Gen. Lee leaves Havana |url-access=subscription |newspaper=The New York Times |date=2 November 1896 |page=5 |access-date=26 March 2024 |via=Times Machine |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1896/11/02/106850954.html?pageNumber=5}}</ref>

On 11 June 1897 ''{{lang|es|Vigilancia}}'' was steaming from Havana to New York when a passenger in her second-class accommodation died. He was [[Burial at sea|buried at sea]]. There was no [[Naval surgeon|ship's doctor]] aboard, and the cause of death was unknown. When the ship reached New York on 14 June, 11 passengers from second class were [[quarantine]]d on [[Hoffman Island]] as a precaution against [[yellow fever]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Death on the Vigilancia. |url-access=subscription |newspaper=The New York Times |date=15 June 1897 |page=12 |access-date=26 March 2024 |via=Times Machine |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1897/06/15/102402793.html?pageNumber=12}}</ref>

===Troopship===
In the Spanish–American War in 1898 ''{{lang|es|Vigilancia}}'' was converted into Transport No. 23, with capacity for 45 officers and 800 enlisted men.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.spanamwar.com/transports.htm#Vigilancia%2023 |last=McSherry |first=Patrick |title=The U.S. Army Transport Service |work=The Spanish American War |access-date=26 March 2024}}</ref> On 14 June that year she left [[Port Tampa Bay|Tampa]] carrying the [[71st New York Infantry Regiment]]. She arrived off Cuba on 22 June, and disembarked her troops at [[Siboney, Cuba|Siboney]] two days later.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.spanamwar.com/71stNewYork.html |last=McSherry |first=Patrick |title=The 71st New York Volunteer Infantry |work=The Spanish American War |access-date=26 March 2024}}</ref> On 24 August that year she left Pacific Street, [[Brooklyn]] carrying 875 men of the 23rd Regiment, Kansas Volunteers.<ref>{{cite news |title=The Vigilancia sails for Santiago. |url-access=subscription |newspaper=The New York Times |date=25 August 1898 |page=2 |access-date=26 March 2024 |via=Times Machine |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1898/08/25/102121431.html?pageNumber=2}}</ref> This was an [[Buffalo Soldier|African-American regiment]], with an [[African Americans|African-American]] commander, [[Colonel (United States)|Colonel]] James Beck. She had rough weather on the voyage, and disembarked her troops at [[Santiago de Cuba]] on 31 August.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.spanamwar.com/23rdKansas.html |last=McSherry |first=Patrick |title=A Brief History of the 23rd Kansas Volunteer Infantry |work=The Spanish American War |access-date=26 March 2024}}</ref> On 6 September she left Santiago carrying 140 soldiers who were described as "convalescents".<ref>{{cite news |title=More men leave Santiago |url-access=subscription |newspaper=The New York Times |date=7 September 1898 |page=4 |access-date=26 March 2024 |via=Times Machine |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1898/09/07/102567145.html?pageNumber=4}}</ref> Three of them died at sea. Two were buried at sea, and the third was brought ashore for burial on land. On 13 September she disembarked her troops at [[Montauk County Park#Camp Wikoff|Camp Wikoff]] at [[Montauk, New York|Montauk]], [[Long Island]]. 12 of her patients were brought ashore on stretchers.<ref>{{cite news |title=Last sick reach Montauk |url-access=subscription |newspaper=The New York Times |date=14 September 1898 |page=3 |access-date=26 March 2024 |via=Times Machine |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1898/09/14/102567562.html?pageNumber=3}}</ref>

===San Ciriaco hurricane===
On 9 August 1899 ''{{lang|es|Vigilancia}}'' left New York with 50 or 60 passengers. On 12 August she ran into the [[1899 San Ciriaco hurricane|San Ciriaco hurricane]]. She hove to for two days, then turned north to get out of the storm. She then sighted the Morgan Line steamship ''Winifred'', which was disabled with her [[engine room]] flooded, superstructure damaged, and her funnel and lifeboats lost. ''{{lang|es|Vigilancia}}'' towed ''Winifred'' to [[Nassau, Bahamas]], where the pair arrived on 18 August.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn90059523/1899-08-20/ed-1/seq-1/ |title=In the hurricane. |newspaper=[[The St. Paul Globe]] |date=20 August 1899 |page=1 |via=Library of Congress |access-date=26 March 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84024441/1899-08-18/ed-1/seq-3/ |title=The Vigilancia safe. |newspaper=[[Washington Times-Herald|The Evening Times]] |place=Washington, D.C. |date=18 August 1899 |page=3 |via=Library of Congress |access-date=26 March 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=The Vigilancia is safe |url-access=subscription |newspaper=The New York Times |date=19 August 1899 |page=3 |access-date=26 March 2024 |via=Times Machine |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1899/08/19/103391512.html?pageNumber=3}}</ref> ''{{lang|es|Vigilancia}}'' had been due in Havana on 13 August, and since 15 August there had been fears that she had foundered in the hurricane.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030214/1899-08-18/ed-1/seq-3/ |title=Delayed by the storm. |newspaper=New-York Tribune |date=18 August 1899 |page=3 |via=Library of Congress |access-date=26 March 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn90051342/1899-08-15/ed-1/seq-1/ |title=Steamer May Be Lost. |newspaper=The Florence Daily Tribune |place=[[Florence, Colorado]] |date=15 August 1899 |page=1 |via=Library of Congress |access-date=26 March 2024}}</ref>

===Aground off Cuba===
On 10 January 1901 ''{{lang|es|Vigilancia}}'' left Vera Cruz for New York via Progreso and Havana. On 15 January she grounded in fog on a reef called Los Colorados, about {{convert|80|nmi|km}} west of Havana, and {{convert|6|nmi|km}} from land. She was lying in {{convert|11|ft|0}} of water forward and {{convert|14|ft|0}} aft. Her boilers were displaced, but she was not leaking. Another Ward Line steamship, ''{{lang|es|Orizaba}}'', went to her aid; took off the passengers, cattle and cargo she was carrying were taken off; and landed the 58 passengers at Havana.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030193/1901-01-15/ed-1/seq-3/ |title=Vigilancia is fast on a reef off Cuba |newspaper=[[The Evening World]] |place=New York |date=15 January 1901 |page=3 |via=Library of Congress |access-date=26 March 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=The Vigilancia aground. |url-access=subscription |newspaper=The New York Times |date=16 January 1899 |page=1 |access-date=26 March 2024 |via=Times Machine |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1901/01/16/290320242.html?pageNumber=1}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Vigilancia's passengers land. |url-access=subscription |newspaper=The New York Times |date=17 January 1899 |page=1 |access-date=26 March 2024 |via=Times Machine |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1901/01/17/117953336.html?pageNumber=1}}</ref> By 17 January a high north wind and heavy rain were pounding ''{{lang|es|Vigilancia}}'', and it was feared she would be wrecked.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030214/1901-01-18/ed-1/seq-1/ |title=Pounding the Vigilancia. |newspaper=New-York Tribune |date=18 January 1901 |page=1 |via=Library of Congress |access-date=26 March 2024}}</ref> She was on the reef until 3 June, when she was refloated and towed to Havana.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ward Liner Vigilancia Again Afloat. |url-access=subscription |newspaper=The New York Times |date=4 June 1901 |page=2 |access-date=26 March 2024 |via=Times Machine |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1901/06/04/101073769.html?pageNumber=2}}</ref>

===Two fires===
On 12 May 1906 ''{{lang|es|Vigilancia}}'' was en route from New York to Havana, carrying 62 passengers, when a fire was discovered in her cargo hold.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030214/1906-05-13/ed-1/seq-1/ |title=New York boat afire. |newspaper=New-York Tribune |date=13 May 1906 |page=1 |via=Library of Congress |access-date=26 March 2024}}</ref> She was near [[Cape Lookout (North Carolina)|Cape Lookout]] [[Lightship]] at the time, and a boat from the lightship went alongside her. Her stores were destroyed, and her cargo was badly damaged by flooding her holds to extinguish the fire.<ref>{{cite news |title=Vigilancia afire at sea. |url-access=subscription |newspaper=The New York Times |date=14 May 1906 |page=1 |access-date=26 March 2024 |via=Times Machine |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1906/05/14/100497701.html?pageNumber=1}}</ref> She reached Havana on 15 May, a day late.<ref>{{cite news |title=The Vigilancia in port. |url-access=subscription |newspaper=The New York Times |date=16 May 1906 |page=4 |access-date=26 March 2024 |via=Times Machine |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1906/05/16/101778786.html?pageNumber=4}}</ref>

By 1909 ''{{lang|es|Vigilancia}}''{{'}}s ports of call included [[Guantánamo]], [[Manzanillo, Cuba|Manzanillo]], and Santiago.<ref name=Sun-1909-0726/> At 11:55 hrs on 25 July 1909 she reached New York from the West Indies and Cuba; docked at Pier 18 at the foot of [[Joralemon]] Street; and disembarked 54 passengers. At 15:20 hrs her [[Second mate|Second Officer]] discovered a fire in one of her forward holds. By 1909 she was equipped with [[wireless telegraphy]],{{sfn|''Lloyd's Register of Shipping'' 1910|loc=List of vessels fitted with installation of wireless telegraphy}} so her wireless operator transmitted a [[distress signal]] to call the [[New York City Fire Department]].<ref name=Sun-1909-0726/><ref name=NYT-1909-0726>{{cite news |title=Vigilancia burns and sinks at pier |url-access=subscription |newspaper=The New York Times |date=26 July 1909 |page=1 |access-date=26 March 2024 |via=Times Machine |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1909/07/26/101891515.html?pageNumber=1}}</ref><ref name=Tribune-1909-0726>{{cite news |url= https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030214/1909-07-26/ed-1/seq-1/ |title=Fire sinks Ward liner |newspaper=New-York Tribune |date=26 July 1909 |page=1 |via=Library of Congress |access-date=26 March 2024}}</ref>

[[File:Fireboat David A. Boody.jpg|thumb|New York [[fireboat]] {{ship||David A. Boody|fireboat|2}}]]
The [[fireboats]] {{ship||Abram S. Hewitt|fireboat|2}} and {{ship||David A. Boody|fireboat|2}} fought the fire, pouring water into her forward holds. Engine Company 124 also fought the fire, along with a dozen men of the Fourth Division of the [[United States Navy Reserve]]'s Second Naval Battalion, who arrived in a [[Launch (boat)|launch]]. Later, {{ship||Seth Low|fireboat|2}} relieved ''Abram S. Hewitt''. Eventually ''{{lang|es|Vigilancia}}'' was afire from amidships to her bow, [[Angle of list|listing]] to [[Port and starboard|starboard]] because of the water the firefighters poured into her, and her masts and one of her funnels collapsed. At 21:30 hrs she broke her after mooring line, sank in {{convert|24|ft|0}} of water, and righted herself as she settled on the bottom.<ref name=Sun-1909-0726/><ref name=NYT-1909-0726/><ref name=Tribune-1909-0726/> By October 1909 ''{{lang|es|Vigilancia}}'' had been raised and repaired, and was back in service.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030214/1909-10-20/ed-1/seq-14/ |title=Marine Intelligence |newspaper=New-York Tribune |date=20 October 1909 |page=14 |via=Library of Congress |access-date=26 March 2024}}</ref>

===Rescuing Atlas passengers===
[[File:Prinz Joachim 1903 HAPAG.jpg|thumb|[[Hamburg America Line|HAPAG]] Atlas liner ''[[USS Moccasin (ID-1322)|Prinz Joachim]]'']]
By July 1911, ''{{lang|es|Seguranca}}'' and ''{{lang|es|Vigilancia}}''{{'}}s scheduled route was between New York and [[Tampico]] in Mexico, via Nassau.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://timetableimages.com/maritime/images/cml.htm |last=Larsson |first=Björn |title=Cuba Mail Line |work=marine timetalbe images |access-date=26 March 2024}}</ref> On 22 November 1911 the [[Hamburg America Line]] ship ''[[USS Moccasin (ID-1322)|Prinz Joachim]]'' grounded off [[Samana Cay]] in the Bahamas. ''{{lang|es|Seguranca}}'' rescued her 84 passengers and took them to Nassau. There, all but eight of them transferred to ''{{lang|es|Vigilancia}}'', which took them to [[Colony of Jamaica|Jamaica]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Joachim passengers go on in Vigilancia |url-access=subscription |newspaper=The New York Times |date=25 November 1911 |page=18 |access-date=26 March 2024 |via=Times Machine |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1911/11/25/104883451.html?pageNumber=18}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030214/1911-11-27/ed-1/seq-12/ |title=Bryan describes wreck |newspaper=New-York Tribune |date=27 November 1911 |page=12 |via=Library of Congress |access-date=26 March 2024}}</ref>

By 1912 ''{{lang|es|Vigilancia}}''{{'}}s ports of call included [[Cienfuegos]].<ref>{{cite news |url= https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030214/1912-03-05/ed-1/seq-14/ |title=Shipping news |newspaper=New-York Tribune |date=5 March 1912 |page=12 |via=Library of Congress |access-date=26 March 2024}}</ref> By 1914 her wireless [[Maritime call sign|call sign]] was KWV.{{sfn|The Marconi Press Agency Ltd|1914|p=453}} In September 1914 she was still in Ward Line service.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030214/1914-09-30/ed-1/seq-9/ |title=Outgoing steamers. |newspaper=New-York Tribune |date=30 September 1914 |page=9 |via=Library of Congress |access-date=26 March 2024}}</ref>

==Cotton to Germany==
By January 1915 Walker, Armstrong & Co had bought ''{{lang|es|Vigilancia}}'', registered her in [[Port of Savannah|Savannah]],{{sfn|''Lloyd's Register of Shipping'' 1914|loc=VIE–VIK}} and had her converted into a cargo-only ship to export cotton to Europe.<ref name=DKJ-1914-0130>{{cite news |url= https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn82014248/1915-01-30/ed-1/seq-5/ |title=Owner of Davia to purchase st'r from Ward Line |newspaper=The Daily [[Kennebec Journal]] |place=Augusta, Maine |date=30 January 1915 |page=5 |via=Library of Congress |access-date=26 March 2024}}</ref> Walker, Armstrong & Co had bought several ships, and planned a regular service between Savannah and Europe.<ref>{{cite news |title=Special to The New York Times. |url-access=subscription |newspaper=The New York Times |date=29 January 1915 |page=1 |access-date=26 March 2024 |via=Times Machine |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1915/01/29/100135533.html?pageNumber=1}}</ref> A different shipowner, Edward N Breitung, was negotiating to buy ''{{lang|es|Seguranca}}'' for the same purpose.<ref name=DKJ-1914-0130/>

[[File:SMSSeeadlerFront.PNG|thumb|upright|''[[SMS Seeadler (1888)|Pass of Balmaha]]'', painted by [[Christopher Rave]]]]
On 22 February ''{{lang|es|Vigilancia}}'' left Savannah with her first cargo of cotton for [[Ports of Bremen|Bremen]] in [[German Empire|Germany]]. She bore neutrality markings, including the [[Flag of the United States]] painted prominently on both sides of her hull, and a large US flag suspended between her foremast and mainmast.<ref name=Tribune-1915-0311>{{cite news |url= https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030214/1915-03-11/ed-1/seq-2/ |title=American vessel held, but freed |newspaper=New-York Tribune |date=11 March 1915 |page=2 |via=Library of Congress |access-date=26 March 2024}}</ref> The next day a [[Naval mine|mine]] sank ''Carib'', another of Walker, Armstrong's ships, off the German island of [[Norderney]] in the [[North Sea]].<ref>{{cite news |url= https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn90052143/1915-02-27/ed-1/seq-8/ |title=Steamer Carib sunk by mine |newspaper=[[The Brunswick News]] |place=Brunswick, Georgia |date=27 February 1915 |page=8 |via=Library of Congress |access-date=26 March 2024}}</ref> Walker, Armstrong routed ''{{lang|es|Vigilancia}}'' around the north of [[Scotland]] into the North Sea, claiming that this was to avoid minefields. By 10 March a [[Royal Navy]] [[cruiser]] had intercepted her and taken her to [[Kirkwall]] in [[Orkney]] to inspect her cargo. Another US ship carrying cotton to Germany, ''[[SMS Seeadler (1888)|Pass of Balmaha]]'', was likewise detained. The British inspected the cargo of both ships, and then allowed them to continue.<ref name=Tribune-1915-0311/>

==Trucks to the Entente==
In June 1916 the Gaston, Williams and Wigmore Steamship Corporation (GW&W) bought ''{{lang|es|Vigilancia}}''.<ref>{{cite news |title=R. L. Farnham Sued for Commission |url-access=subscription |newspaper=The New York Times |date=17 October 1916 |page=16 |access-date=26 March 2024 |via=Times Machine |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1916/10/17/100222902.html?pageNumber=16}}</ref> She was registered in [[Port of Wilmington (Delaware)|Wilmington]], Delaware.{{sfn|Bureau of Navigation|1917|p=178}}

GW&W had been founded in October 1914 with the support of the Guaranty Trust Company.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn85038485/1916-05-26/ed-1/seq-4/ |title=A drama of business |newspaper=[[Birmingham Post-Herald|The Birmingham Age-Herald]] |place=Birmingham, Alabama |date=26 May 1916 |page=4 |via=Library of Congress |access-date=26 March 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030193/1916-05-09/ed-1/seq-8/ |title=Call for $15,000,000 to use in fight for control of sea trade |newspaper=The Evening World |place=New York |date=9 May 1916 |page=8 |via=Library of Congress |access-date=26 March 2024}}</ref> It planned cargo-only services, both [[Transatlantic crossing|transatlantic]] between New York and [[Port of Arkhangelsk|Archangelsk]]; and [[Transpacific crossing|transpacific]] between [[Port of San Francisco|San Francisco]] and the [[Far East]]. By February 1916 GW&W claimed to have bought six ships, [[Chartering (shipping)|chartered]] another six, and ordered six new ones to be built.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn85058396/1916-02-25/ed-1/seq-10/ |title=New ocean fleet organised in N.Y. |newspaper=[[Standard-Examiner|The Ogden Standard]] |place=Ogden, Utah |date=25 February 1916 |page=10 |via=Library of Congress |access-date=26 March 2024}}</ref> GW&W shipped large numbers of US-built motor vehicles to the Entente Powers, including [[Packard]] and [[Peerless Motor Company|Peerless]] trucks.<ref>{{cite news |title=M. J. Budlong resigns. |url-access=subscription |newspaper=The New York Times |date=11 August 1915 |page=9 |access-date=26 March 2024 |via=Times Machine |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1915/08/11/100172717.html?pageNumber=9}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030214/1916-08-27/ed-2/seq-26/ |title=News and Notes |newspaper=New-York Tribune |date=27 August 1916 |page=8 |via=Library of Congress |access-date=26 March 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Great war truck order. |url-access=subscription |newspaper=The New York Times |date=19 August 1916 |page=16 |access-date=26 March 2024 |via=Times Machine |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1916/08/19/104686763.html?pageNumber=16}}</ref> By October 1916 GW&W was operating the Globe Steamship Company, with five ships, and GW&W stock was listed by the [[New York Stock Exchange]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Admitted to Exchange list |url-access=subscription |newspaper=The New York Times |date=16 October 1916 |page=17 |access-date=26 March 2024 |via=Times Machine |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1916/10/19/104693749.html?pageNumber=17}}</ref> In December 1916 GW&W paid its staff a 10 percent bonus.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030214/1916-12-22/ed-1/seq-13/ |title=Oil Company Grants Bonus |newspaper=New-York Tribune |date=22 December 1916 |page=13 |via=Library of Congress |access-date=26 March 2024}}</ref> In February 1917 GW&W bought 35, 37 and 39 Broadway, on which to build a new six-[[storey]] headquarters.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030214/1917-02-11/ed-1/seq-25/ |title=Buys historic Broadway site |newspaper=New-York Tribune |date=11 February 1917 |page=7 |via=Library of Congress |access-date=26 March 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030431/1917-02-11/ed-1/seq-14/ |title=To have new home |newspaper=The Sun |place=New York |date=11 February 1917 |page=14 |via=Library of Congress |access-date=26 March 2024}}</ref>

On 13 November 1916 ''{{lang|es|Vigilancia}}'' reached [[Norfolk, Virginia]] from [[Bordeaux]], [[French Third Republic|France]].<ref>{{cite news |url= https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn78000873/1916-12-07/ed-1/seq-8/ |title=Searsport. |newspaper=The Republican Journal |place=Belfast, Maine |date=7 December 1916 |page=8 |via=Library of Congress |access-date=26 March 2024}}</ref> On 9 January 1917 she left [[Port of Lisbon|Lisbon]], [[First Portuguese Republic|Portugal]], for New York, where she was due on 23 January.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn85035720/1917-01-22/ed-2/seq-8/ |title=Shipping news |newspaper=Perth Amboy Evening News |place=Perth Amboy, New Jersey |date=22 January 1917 |page=8 |via=Library of Congress |access-date=26 March 2024}}</ref>

==Loss==
Despite US neutrality, the Central Powers sank a number of US merchant ships. On 1 February 1917 Germany announced it was resuming [[unrestricted submarine warfare]]. On 3 February {{SMU|U-53||2}} captured and scuttled the cargo ship ''[[SS Georgia (1890)|Housatonic]]'', and on 12 February {{SMU|U-35|Germany|2}} did the same to the [[schooner]] ''Lyman M. Law''. On 26 February President [[Woodrow Wilson]] addressed both houses of [[United States Congress|Congress]], asking for the power to arm US merchant ships defensively, and to give those ships gunners to crew them.<ref>{{cite news |title=Right to arm ships asked |url-access=subscription |newspaper=The New York Times |date=27 February 1917 |pages=1, 2 |access-date=26 March 2024 |via=Times Machine |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1917/02/27/98242694.html?pageNumber=1}}</ref> Also on 26 February, ''{{lang|es|Vigilancia}}'' was due to leave New York for [[Port of Le Havre|Le Havre]] in France.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84022472/1917-02-28/ed-1/seq-9/ |title=Shippers don't agree on plan to arm vessels |newspaper=The [[Bridgeport Evening Farmer]] |place=Bridgeport, Connecticut |date=28 February 1917 |page=9 |via=Library of Congress |access-date=26 March 2024}}</ref> Just after she left her pier, 35 members of her crew of 45 refused to sail; went over her side; and boarded a tug to return to shore, because her owners refused to pay war bonuses of 75 percent for [[Deck department|deck crew]] and 100 percent for [[Engine department|engine room crew]].<ref>{{cite news |url= https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn86058226/1917-02-26/ed-1/seq-1/ |title=Sailors Refuse to Risk Lives For Low Wages |newspaper=[[Palladium-Item|The Richmond Palladium and Sun-Telegram]] |place=Richmond, Indiana |date=26 February 1917 |page=1 |via=Library of Congress |access-date=26 March 2024}}</ref>

''{{lang|es|Vigilancia}}'' left New York on 28 February. Her [[Master mariner|Master]] was a [[Sea captain|Captain]] Frank A Middleton, and her crew had 43 or 45 members (sources differ). 20 including Captain Middleton were US citizens; another five were [[Puerto Ricans]]; and the crew also included at least four other nationalities. She carried a cargo of sugar and other foods, and had orders to sail via [[São Miguel Island|São Miguel]] in the [[Azores]], where she was to [[Bunkering|bunker]] if necessary. Her neutrality markings included her name and "NEW YORK" painted on both sides of her hull in white letters five feet high, was well as the US flag painted on both sides of her hull.<ref name=NYT-1917-0319>{{cite news |title=Patrol picks up survivors |url-access=subscription |newspaper=The New York Times |date=19 March 1917 |pages=1, 2 |access-date=26 March 2024 |via=Times Machine |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1917/03/19/102322441.html?pageNumber=1}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030431/1917-03-19/ed-1/seq-1/ |title=American ships Vigilancia, Memphis and Illinois sunk;... |newspaper=The Sun |place=New York |date=19 March 1917 |pages=1, 2 |via=Library of Congress |access-date=26 March 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030214/1917-03-20/ed-1/seq-1/ |title=Loss of Citizens on Vigilancia Warrant for a State of War |newspaper=New-York Tribune |place=New York |date=20 March 1917 |page=1 |via=Library of Congress |access-date=26 March 2024}}</ref>

At 10:00 hrs on 16 March 1917 ''{{lang|es|Vigilancia}}'' was in the [[Celtic Sea|Southwestern Approaches]], making about {{convert|11|kn|km/h|0}}, when {{SMU|U-70||2}} fired a torpedo at her without warning. It missed, passing astern of her. Between seven and ten minutes later ''U-70'' fired a second torpedo, which hit her starboard side in way of her Number 3 cargo hatch. Her crew lowered two lifeboats, but one of them capsized, throwing 25 men into the sea. Their shipmates in the other lifeboat rescued ten of the men, but the other 15 drowned. The capsizing was variously attributed to a heavy swell, or to there being no time to stop her engine before abandoning ship, so she was still under way when her boats were launched.<ref name=NYT-1917-0320>{{cite news |title=Thrown from a small boat |url-access=subscription |newspaper=The New York Times |date=20 March 1917 |page=1 |access-date=26 March 2024 |via=Times Machine |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1917/03/20/102322797.html?pageNumber=1}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030431/1917-03-21/ed-1/seq-2/ |title=Vigilancia's Captain talks. |newspaper=The Sun |place=New York |date=21 March 1917 |page=2 |via=Library of Congress |access-date=26 March 2024}}</ref> The ship sank {{convert|145|nmi|km}} west of [[Bishop Rock]] at position {{coord|48|57|N|9|34|W|display=inline,title}}.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://uboat.net/wwi/ships_hit/6329.html |last=Helgason |first=Guðmundur |title=Vigilancia |work=uboat.net |access-date=26 March 2024}}</ref>

The survivors were in the lifeboat for about 36 hours. [[Hypothermia]] paralysed one of the engine room staff. At night Captain Middleton fired several [[Flare gun|distress flares]].<ref name=NYT-1917-0320/> These elicited no response, so at 16:00 hrs on 18 March the lifeboat reached [[St Mary's, Isles of Scilly]] by the survivors' own effort.<ref>{{cite news |title=Borum reports all crew saved |url-access=subscription |newspaper=The New York Times |date=21 March 1917 |page=1 |access-date=26 March 2024 |via=Times Machine |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1917/03/21/102323171.html?pageNumber=1}}</ref> The US Consul at [[Plymouth]], England reported that the dead were five US citizens, five Spaniards, two Greeks, one Peruvian, one Puerto Rican, and one Venezuelan.<ref>{{cite news |title=Names Americans lost on Vigilancia |url-access=subscription |newspaper=The New York Times |date=22 March 1917 |page=3 |access-date=26 March 2024 |via=Times Machine |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1917/03/22/102323592.html?pageNumber=3}}</ref>

==Context and consequences==
[[File:March 18 1917 Imperial German Navy U-boat SM UC-21 IWM Q 58104 American tanker steamer Illinois.jpg|thumb|View from {{SMU|UC-21||2}} of ''Illinois'' sinking]]
On 17 March, the day after ''{{lang|es|Vigilancia}}'' was sunk, U-boats stopped and sank to the cargo ship ''City of Memphis'' and the [[Tanker (ship)|tanker]] ''Illinois''. In those two cases the U-boats had followed surfaced; forced the ship to heave to; and allowed the crew to abandon her without loss of life before sinking her. However, one of the five lifeboats that ''City of Memphis'' launched became separated from the others. For at least 24 hours this caused fear that its occupants must have died or been captured.<ref name=NYT-1917-0319/> Three sinkings within two days, added to earlier sinkings such as the cargo ship ''Algonquin'' on 12 March, had an effect on public and political opinion in the US. Newspapers called it an act of war, or words to that effect.<ref>{{cite news |title=Comments of Today's Newspapers On Sinkings of American Ships |url-access=subscription |newspaper=The New York Times |date=19 March 1917 |page=2 |access-date=26 March 2024 |via=Times Machine |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1917/03/19/102322451.html?pageNumber=2}}</ref>

[[File:Healdton NARA 45500106.jpg|thumb|The tanker {{SS|Healdton||2}} with  "HEALDTON – U.S.A." painted in large white letters on her black hull to emphasise her neutrality]]
In Germany, writing in the ''[[:de:Deutsche Tageszeitung|Deutsche Tageszeitung]]'', the former naval officer [[Ernst Graf zu Reventlow]] welcomed the sinkings. "It is good that American ships have been obliged to learn that the German prohibition is effective and that there is no question of distinctive treatment for the United States...". The ''[[:de:Westdeutsche Zeitung|Dusseldorfer General Anzieger]]'' was also said to have welcomed the sinkings.<ref>{{cite news |title=Say Holland will bar armed American ships |url-access=subscription |newspaper=The New York Times |date=22 March 1917 |page=3 |access-date=26 March 2024 |via=Times Machine |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1917/03/22/102323602.html?pageNumber=3}}</ref> About the same time as Reventlow's comments were published, either a U-boat or a mine sank the [[History of ExxonMobil#Standard Oil Company of New Jersey (1911–1999)|Standard Oil Company of New Jersey]]'s tanker {{SS|Healdton||2}} on 21 March. 21 members of her crew were killed, including seven US citizens.

On 2 April, President Wilson asked Congress to declare war against Germany. During the congressional debate of the proposal, news came that a U-boat had sunk {{SS|Aztec||2}}, causing the death of 28 of her crew, including 11 US citizens.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://uboat.net/wwi/ships_hit/594.html |last=Helgason |first=Guðmundur |title=Aztec |work=uboat.net |access-date=24 March 2024}}</ref> On 6 April, Congress passed the motion by an overwhelming majority, and [[United States declaration of war on Germany (1917)|the US declared war on Germany]].<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/65-1/s2 |title=To pass S.J. Res. 1,(40 stat-1)m deckaribg war on Germany (P.200, col.1). ''(sic)'' |website=govtrack.us |access-date=24 March 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/65-1/h10 |title=To adopt S. J. Res. 1, (43 Stat-1, April 16, 1917), declaring that a state of war exists between the Imperial German Government and the Government and People of the U.S... |website=govtrack.us |access-date=24 March 2024}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Bibliography==
*{{cite book |author=Bureau of Navigation |year=1917 |title=Forty-Eighth Annual List of Merchant Vessels of the United States |place=Washington, DC |publisher=[[United States Government Publishing Office|Government Publishing Office]] |via=[[ibiblio]] |url= https://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/AMH/USMM/Annual_List/1916.pdf}}
*{{cite book |last=Carlisle |first=Rodney |year=2011 |chapter=1: The Voyage of the Vigilancia |title=Sovereignty at Sea: U.S. Merchant Ships and American Entry into World War I |series=New Perspectives on Maritime History and Nautical Archaeology |place=Gainesville, Florida |publisher=University Press of Florida |isbn=978-0813037622}}
*{{cite news |url= https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84026749/1917-04-07/ed-1/seq-2/ |title=Germany's acts of war against people of U. S. |newspaper=[[The Washington Times (1894–1939)|The Washington Times]] |place=Washington, D.C. |date=7 April 1917 |page=2 |via=Library of Congress}}
*{{cite book |year=1891 |title=Lloyd's Register of British and Foreign Shipping |volume=I.–Steamers |place=London |publisher=[[Lloyd's Register]] of Shipping |via=[[Internet Archive]] |url= https://archive.org/details/HECROS1892ST/page/n592/mode/1up |ref={{harvid|''Lloyd's Register of Shipping'' 1891}} }}
*{{cite book |year=1896 |title=Lloyd's Register of British and Foreign Shipping |volume=I.–Steamers |place=London |publisher=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |via=Internet Archive |url= https://archive.org/details/HECROS1897ST/page/n662/mode/1up |ref={{harvid|''Lloyd's Register of Shipping'' 1896}} }}
*{{cite book |year=1910 |title=Lloyd's Register of British and Foreign Shipping |volume=I.–Steamers |place=London |publisher=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |via=Internet Archive |url= https://archive.org/details/HECROS1911ST/page/n1080/mode/1up |ref={{harvid|''Lloyd's Register of Shipping'' 1910}} }}
*{{cite book |year=1914 |title=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |volume=I.–Steamers |place=London |publisher=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |via=Internet Archive |url= https://archive.org/details/HECROS1915ST/page/n1140/mode/1up |ref={{harvid|''Lloyd's Register of Shipping'' 1914}} }}
*{{cite book |author=The Marconi Press Agency Ltd |author-link=Marconi Company |year=1914 |title=The Year Book of Wireless Telegraphy and Telephony |place=London |publisher=The Marconi Press Agency Ltd}}

{{1899 shipwrecks}}
{{1901 shipwrecks}}
{{1906 shipwrecks}}
{{1909 shipwrecks}}
{{March 1917 shipwrecks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Vigilancia}}

[[Category:1890 ships]]
[[Category:1906 fires]]
[[Category:1909 fires]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in 1899]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in 1901]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in 1906]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in 1909]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in 1917]]
[[Category:Passenger ships of the United States]]
[[Category:Ship fires]]
[[Category:Ships built by the Delaware River Iron Ship Building and Engine Works]]
[[Category:Ships sunk by German submarines in World War I]]
[[Category:Steamships of the United States]]
[[Category:World War I merchant ships of the United States]]
[[Category:World War I shipwrecks in the Atlantic Ocean]]