 The ship sought security at Hampton Roads, Virginia, lest, at sea, she fall prey to warships of the Royal Navy

On 20 March 1918, "Zaanland" was seized at Newport News, Virginia, by the United States Government under the right of angary, which allowed a belligerent power to use the property of a neutral nation if necessary, subject to full indemnification.She was acquired by the United States Navy for use by the Naval Overseas Transportation Service (NOTS) on 25 March 1918, the cargo ship was assigned the identification number (Id.No.)