 She returned to Boston on 10 March for a short period in the Navy Yard . On 31 March , she departed Boston for Hampton Roads where she arrived on 2 April . The following morning , in response to the imminent threat of war with Germany , Wainwright began to search for submarines and to patrol Hampton Roads to protect the Fleet and naval bases . Two days later , other warships relieved her on patrol ; and she anchored with the Fleet in the mouth of the York River . The next day , 6 April 1917 , the United States entered World War I. 
