2 was built as a private motorboat of the same name in 1915 or 1916 by Britt Brothers [Wikidata] at Lynn, Massachusetts.

She was one of five motorboats built to the same design for private owners by Britt Brothers as part of the civilian Preparedness Movement program with an understanding that they would enter U.S. Navy service in time of war, the others being Patrol No.

2 from her owner, Joel Fisher of New York City, on 25 April 1917 and commissioned her for service during World War I as USS Patrol No.

She operated in the 2nd Naval District, headquartered at Newport, Rhode Island, during the remainder of the United States' participation in World War I.

2 was decommissioned postwar and returned to her owner on 20 January 1919.