Underwriter, an iron-hulled screw tug completed in 1881 at Camden, New Jersey, by John H. Dialogue and rebuilt in 1908, was taken over by the United States Navy at the Naval Station, New Orleans, Louisiana, on 1 July 1918 and was commissioned there on 9 August 1918.

1390), Underwriter operated out of the naval station at New Orleans for the duration of World War I, conducting sweeps for mines and standing ready for tug and tow services, as required.

On 13 September 1920, it was recommended that if the ship was retained in service longer that her name be changed to one "more in keeping with the nomenclature adopted for the tugs belonging to the U. S.

Early in the year, she "looked after" Yuma (ex-Asher J. Hudson), that tug (which had sunk on 28 October 1920) had been raised from the bottom of the waters off the naval station, until that ship was ultimately decommissioned during the ensuing summer.

On 27 January 1922, it was proposed that she be transferred to the 5th Naval District, but an inspection of the ship revealed that excessively expensive repairs would be necessary to prepare her for sea.