City of Lewes was built as a commercial fishing boat of the same name in 1912 by W. G. Abbott at Milford, Delaware.

She was commissioned as USS City of Lewes (SP-383) on 12 May 1917, although her purchase apparently did not become official until 19 May 1917.

[1] In accordance with a United States Department of the Navy general order that all section patrol craft should have their names shortened to surnames or single words (as applicable), City of Lewes was renamed USS Lewes (SP-383) in July 1917.

After fitting out as a minesweeper, Lewes departed Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on 14 August 1917 bound for Brest, France, which she reached on 18 September 1917.

Following voyage repairs, she took up patrol and convoy escort duties, which she pursued for the remainder of World War I.