The ship was originally ordered from the Blyth Shipbuilding Company of Blyth, Northumberland on 25 January 1943 as the Loch-class frigate Loch Rowan, and laid down on 24 April 1944.

[1] After sea trials in November and December 1945, Cawsand Bay was attached for service in the Rosyth Local Flotilla, joining in February 1946.

However she was almost immediately nominated for reduction to Reserve status, sailing to Portsmouth to decommission on 11 March.

[1] Cawsand Bay remained in Reserve at Portsmouth until 1958 when she placed on the Disposal List.

The ship was sold for demolition to an Italian ship-breaker and towed to Genoa, arriving on 5 September 1959.