Originally designated as ATR-112, she was redesignated as ATA-185 on 15 May 1944; launched 11 September 1944, by Levingston Shipbuilding Co., Orange, Texas; and commissioned on 16 November.

Clearing San Francisco Bay 22 March, ATA-185 reached Pearl Harbor 13 April to prepare for participation in atomic weapons tests in the Marshall Islands.

Departing Pearl 11 May, she assisted in mooring target ships for Operation Crossroads at Bikini Atoll.

After the tests she recovered radiological instruments from various target ships, including Nevada (BB-36), former German cruiser Prinz Eugen, and former Japanese battleship Nagato.

She sunk, on an unknown date, at Crow's Nest Marina on the east side of Commencement Bay, Tacoma, Washington while being prepared for scuttling as part of a breakwater.