[1] On 1 July 1939, the U.S. Lighthouse Service was abolished and the United States Coast Guard took over its responsibilities and assets; and Alder became part of the Coast Guard fleet as USCGC Alder.

[1] She was commissioned in December 1940 and attached to the newly created Alaska Sector of the 13th Naval District (headquartered at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard) where she was one of the few ships then in newly-appointed Captain R.C.

Parker's small "Alaskan Navy" which consisted of the gunboat and flagship USS Charleston, the cutter USCGC Onondaga, three converted patrol craft (YP-72, YP-73, YP-74),[3] and her sister lighthouse tenders, USCGC Hemlock and USCG Cedar.

[1] On 14 June 1948, she was sold, renamed Acme, and operated as a merchant vessel.

[1] On 15 November 1960, she foundered and sank off the coast of Baja California.