Germania Werft at Kiel, Germany, built the ship in 1931 as the 753-gross register ton civilian luxury yacht Argosy for Charles A.

[5] Thomas Sopwith purchased her in 1934, renamed her Vita, and used her to shadow his J-class yacht Endeavour during the 1934 America's Cup race.

Assigned to the Eastern Sea Frontier, she escorted convoys between New York City and ports in the southern United States until 22 September 1943.

[3] Later in 1946[1] the Tyre Shipping Company – a shell company organized to hold nominal title to her by the Bergsin Group, also known as the "Bergson Boys," a group of Irgun Zvai Leumi Zionist activists led by Hillel Kook, also known as Peter Bergson — purchased her from the United States Government for US$36,400, using funds raised by the 1946 Ben Hecht play A Flag Is Born.

[5] With a crew consisting of 19 American volunteers and two paid Norwegian engineers, Abril departed New York City on 27 December 1946, made a rough midwinter crossing of the North Atlantic Ocean during which her starboard engine broke down, and arrived six days behind schedule at Port de Bouc on the Mediterranean coast of France near Marseilles on 10 January 1947.

[6][5] There she underwent further modification to allow her to carry 600 Jewish refugees on a blockade running voyage to Mandatory Palestine, including the installation of toilets overhanging her sides so she could accommodate a large number of men on her deck.

[5] Plans called for small boats to meet her off the coast of Palestine and take her passengers to shore, allowing Ben Hecht to return to Europe to pick up more refugees.

[6] An hour after sunrise on 2 March 1947, Ben Hecht′s port engine broke down when its piston oil-pump rod punched a hole in a crankcase while the ship was passing through a narrow channel through an uncleared minefield.

[6] At 10:40 on 8 March 1947, a British Royal Air Force Avro Lancaster maritime patrol aircraft sighted her in the Mediterranean Sea as she approached Palestine.

[6] At 16:30 on 8 March 1947, as twilight approached, the destroyers maneuvered to block Ben Hecht′s path 10 nautical miles (19 km; 12 mi) off the coast of Palestine.

Armed with gas grenades, batons, javelins, and water hoses, the Marines faced no resistance and took full control of Ben Hecht about an hour after boarding.

[9][10] After receiving permission at 18:10 to attack the ships, she detached from the patrol at 18:40 and proceeded to a position 7 nautical miles (13 km; 8.1 mi) northwest of Gaza City.

[10] The badly damaged minesweeper remained afloat under a pall of smoke;[10] the Egyptians towed her into port and later scrapped her after deeming her beyond economical repair.