John Priestman and Company of Sunderland, England, built Copenhagen as yard number 72.

She had a single screw, driven by a three-cylinder triple-expansion engine built by William Allan and Company of Sunderland, that was rated at 312 NHP[10] and gave her a speed of 8 knots (15 km/h).

On the night of 25–26 May she passed the Jupiter Inlet Light, and her Master, Captain William Jones, estimated her to be about 1+3⁄4 nautical miles (3.2 km) offshore.

[11] At about 09:00 hrs on 26 May, Copenhagen struck Pompano Dropoff reef south of Hillsboro Inlet.

[11] An inquiry found Jones at fault for failing to employ proper navigation, and for not taking soundings with his lead and line.

However, due to his excellent record of service, and his co-operation with the investigation, the inquiry decided not to suspend his certificate.

During the Second World War, United States Navy fighter aircraft used it for target practice.