Northumbrian Gunner: New York 2016

Thursday, 3 November 2016

New York 2016 - Hoboken

Hoboken is located on the Hudson River in New Jersey opposite Manhattan. During World War One it was the main port of embarkation for the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) destined for Europe.

Hoboken New Jersey

The port was the location of the piers of the German Hamburg-America line. When America declared war on Germany on 6^th April 1917, the piers and the ships belonging to the Hamburg-America Line were sized and would be used by the US Military as a port for the AEF.

German-America Line ships seized in Hoboken
Source: Hoboken Historical Museum

Hoboken Pier - Seized from German American Line
Source: Hoboken Historical Museum

The first convoy carrying US troops to Europe left Hoboken on June 14^th 1917, the first of 93voyages which would transport 1,656,000 men during the war.

American Trans Atlantic Routes WW1

Before the Meuse-Argonne Offensive in September 1918, the American Commander, General John J Pershing rallied his troops with the slogan that they would ultimately end up in “Heaven, Hell or Hoboken by Christmas”.

Heaven, Hell or Hoboken by Christmas

The Troops were brought to Hoboken from training and transit camps by train into Hoboken Station which was situated on the water font adjacent to the shipping piers.

Hoboken Port of Embarkation Rail Links

Hoboken Station

After the Armistice in November 1918, the returning troops disembarked in Hoboken.

American Troops returning home to Hoboken WW1

American Troops returning home WW1 - Hoboken Station

To commemorate the part played by Hoboken during World War One and to remember the men of the American Expeditionary force, a memorial has been placed on the waterfront where the transport piers were located.