Force was built at Cochrane & Sons Shipbuilders Ltd at Selby in Yorkshire in 1917 (shipyard number 825), commissioned as the trawler James Bucham.

In 1922, after five years' service in the Royal Navy, she was sold to the City Steam Fishing Company Ltd of Kingston upon Hull and renamed as Stoneferry.

After a year she returned to British ownership with the Adam Steam Fishing Company Ltd of Fleetwood, Lancashire, who renamed her Force.

In February 1940, after the outbreak of the Second World War, Force returned to the Royal Navy and was fitted with two 12 pounder 76 mm (3.0 in) anti-aircraft guns.

The end came for Force off the north east Norfolk coast, six miles (9.7 km) from Winterton Ness.