Built by Deschimag-Werk Seebeck and launched on October 31, 1917 in Germany, the ship started its career as German minesweeper M59.

[1] The 525–586-ton Prezidentas Smetona was 60 metres (197 ft) in length and was powered by two Schulz coal-fired boilers providing a top speed of 16 knots.

The ship was reconstructed and was officially launched as a warship on August 2, 1935 by captain Antanas Kaškelis.

Prezidentas Smetona was renamed first as Пирмӯнас (Pirmūnas, Пирмунас) and later as Коралл (Korall).

[1] Estonian researchers had announced several times in the press that they have located the wreckage in the Gulf of Finland.