[Note 1] She was commissioned by the United States Navy and served as a minesweeper in 1917 in the Third Naval District and returned to her previous owners two years later.

She measured 229 GRT and 156 NRT and was powered by a compound steam engine of 850 ihp (630 kW) driving a single propeller.

[2][3] The tug was built for the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad Co. to tow barges carrying rail cars.

[2] The vessel was named after Robert Fulton who was honored in New York City's Hudson–Fulton Celebration in 1909 on the centenary of his development of practical steamship technology.

[4] After arming with a single 1-pounder gun, she was commissioned as USS Fulton (SP-247) on 22 September with two officers and sixteen men assigned to the Third Naval District.