Executive Order No. 2619–A, May 14, 1917

It is hereby ordered that through the Secretary of the Navy there be taken over to the United States the immediate possession and title [Page 1255] of and to the German vessel Odenwald and the German vessel Praesident now lying in the harbor of San Juan in the Island of Porto Rico, and until further directions the Secretary of the Navy is ordered to operate and equip such vessels in the service of the Navy of the United States.

This order shall take effect from date.

Woodrow Wilson