In the early days of the 20th century, the oceanic leviathan known as the SS Aztec was born. Crafted with precision and care, the ship embodied the hopes of an era that revered innovation and ambition. Initially envisioned as a commercial freighter, it ferried goods across the breadth of the Atlantic, its formidable hull cutting through the waves with an impressive blend of elegance and power. Its voyages were a testament to human resilience and the promise of a world drawn closer through commerce and travel.

However, as the year 1914 approached, the winds of change began to blow. The tranquility of the seas, once a symbol of human progress, was about to be shattered by the deafening drumbeats of war. The world was teetering on the brink of what was to become one of the most devastating conflicts in history - World War 1.

In these tumultuous times, the SS Aztec found itself drawn into the vortex of global events. Requisitioned for the war effort, it was no longer a mere commercial vessel, but a symbol of America's indirect involvement in the European conflict. As the Aztec departed from American shores on what was to be its fateful voyage, a sense of foreboding took hold - the ship and its crew were venturing into unknown, dangerous waters.

This is the story of the SS Aztec, a tale interwoven with courage, fear, heroism, and heartbreak. Its voyage is a mirror reflecting the world of the early 20th century, a world on the precipice of transformation, grappling with the specter of a war that would forever change the course of human history. So, let us set sail into the past, and delve deep into the waves of history to uncover the riveting journey of the SS Aztec.