Josephine was built as a civilian motorboat of the same name in 1916 by the New York Yacht, Launch, and Engine Company at Morris Heights in the Bronx, New York.

The U.S. Navy acquired her from her owner, L. A. Lehmaier, on 9 August 1917 for World War I service as a patrol vessel.

She was commissioned as USS Josephine (SP-913) at the New York Navy Yard at Brooklyn, New York, on 20 September 1917.

Attached to the 3rd Naval District, Josephine performed section patrol duty in the New York City area, including Long Island Sound.

"Having proved unsuit(able)"[1] for naval service, on 6 July 1918 the Navy directed that SP-913 be returned to her owner.