As an Inshore Fire Support Ship (IFS), part of the so-called "brown-water navy", Carronade was designed under project SCB 37, and built to provide direct naval gunfire support to amphibious landings or operations close to shore.

[1] Carronade was also very maneuverable thanks to her variable-pitch propellers and faster than her predecessor, with a top speed of 15–17 knots (17–20 mph).

[1] Carronade's keel was laid 19 November 1952, and she was launched 26 May 1953[2] by Puget Sound Bridge and Dredging Company, Seattle, Washington; sponsored by Mrs. L. Herndon; and commissioned 25 May 1955.

The first ship of her design, Carronade carried out extensive training in the San Diego area until 19 March 1956 when she sailed to Pearl Harbor for a month of operations.

Carronade resumed local operations, upkeep and overhaul in the San Diego area until a Far Eastern tour of duty (18 January – 15 July 1958).