[7] Spindle Eye was laid down on 16 April 1945 under Maritime Commission Contract (MC hull 2381) by Kaiser Cargo Inc., Richmond, California Number 4 Yard.

[8] The ship was launched on 25 May 1945; sponsored by Mrs. Edgar Buttner; and delivered to the Lykes Brothers Steamship Company on 9 July 1945.

The vessel finally provided was Spindle Eye, described as a "radio city," with a 7,500 and four 3,000 watt transmitters and fully equipped broadcasting studios.

Curtis F. Shoup was transferred to the Military Sea Transport Service (MSTS), and she was placed on the Navy List on 1 March.

After conversion by Willamette Iron & Steel Works in Portland, Oregon, for service as a helicopter freighter, Sgt.

[7] Reporting on 14 June, she teamed up with Harris County (LST-822) in the southwest Pacific Ocean, servicing survey sites which were being established to support the nation's missile and space projects.

[7] Between May 1963 and November 1965 78,500 nmi (90,300 mi; 145,400 km) of magnetic and other data were collected in an irregular pattern using LORAN-A, radar, celestial and dead reckoning control.

[10] In November 1966 the ship was placed under the technical control of the Naval Oceanographic Office to meet increased requirements for gravity data.

On 22 January 1970, she was returned to the Maritime Administration and laid up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet at Suisun Bay, California.