in world war i, usat "minnesotan" carried cargo and animals to france under charter to the u.s. army from september 1917. when transferred to the u.s. navy in august 1918, uss "minnesotan" continued in the same duties, but after the armistice she was converted to a troop transport and returned over 8,000 american troops from france. returned to american-hawaiian in 1919, "minnesotan" resumed inter-coastal cargo service, and, at least twice, carried racing yachts from the u.s. east coast to california.