when the united states entered world war i on 6 april 1917, "balch" fitted out—installing depth charge racks and other wartime gear—in preparation for foreign service. sailing for european waters on 25 october, "balch" arrived at queenstown, ireland on 17 november and reported for duty with the queenstown force commander. the destroyer began convoy escort duties on 24 november, which generally meant shepherding merchant ships through the "submarine danger zone" in the western approaches to the united kingdom and france.