After arriving, "Geier" coaled from the HAPAG steamer . She coaled in Singapore on 12 December and continued to Shanghai. From there, they departed for Messina, where they would be coaled by German merchant ships. Departing Tampa 23 July, she coaled at Key West and reached New York 3 August. She coaled at Newport News on 16 December and remained there until 20 December. There, they coaled and prepared to make the long voyage around Cape Horn. The ships again coaled after their arrival on 20 August. He then coaled and provisioned the ship and threatened to sail her to Sydney. The force of eight ships reached the Falklands by 7 December, where they immediately coaled. The "Kentucky" coaled at Hong Kong and Colombo. "Virginia" then proceeded to Norfolk, where she coaled before continuing on to Tompkinsville, Staten Island.