She served the United States Atlantic Fleet and saw service in World War I. Patapsco was a two-masted, steel-hulled, sea-going tug, laid down on 15 April 1907 by the Portsmouth Navy Yard at Kittery, Maine and launched on 29 June 1908.

11), sailed to escort submarine chasers to Brest, whence they steamed to Naval Base 18, Inverness, Scotland, arriving 24 June.

Following the Armistice, Patapsco, again with Patuxent, conducted experiments to develop the gear and techniques to sweep the North Sea Mine Barrage.

Experimental activities and tender duties continued through the winter months, and in March 1919 Patapsco and Patuxent tested "electrical protective devices" to render mine exploders ineffective.

On 9 July 1919 during the fourth operation, Patapsco fell victim to the very danger she had worked against when three low-level countermined mines exploded beneath her.

Patapsco continued operations with the North Sea Minesweeping Detachment until 25 November, and after a period of availability in England she sailed for the United States.