From 8 February – 16 April 1923, Cardinal sailed to the Panama Canal to provide tug services during fleet battle practice.

She returned to San Pedro to prepare for duty in Alaskan waters, and on 23 May sailed for Port Angeles, Washington, where she called from 30 May – 1 June.

While bound for Dutch Harbor on 6 June, she was grounded on a reef off the east coast of Chirikof Island, and heavy flooding began immediately.

The rest were rescued from the battered Cardinal on 7 June by the oiler Cuyama, who also took off salvageable material and stores.

This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.