She was requisitioned by the Royal Navy in 1939 and converted into an auxiliary minesweeper and named HMS Medusa.

She was transferred to the Royal Australian Navy in 1942 and renamed HMAS Mercedes until she was returned to her owners in 1946.

Built in 1913 by Taikoo Dockyard & Engineering Co., Hong Kong as a passenger cargo vessel for the Ocean Steam Ship Co. based at Singapore.

She plied the Singapore straits as part of the Blue Funnel Line until she was requisitioned in 1939 by the Royal Navy and conversion into an auxiliary minesweeper and commissioned as HMS Medusa.

She was transferred to the Royal Australian Navy in 1942 and renamed HMAS Mercedes upon commissioning on 6 July 1942.