She was first named after Frederick Tresca, a French-born lighthouse keeper, sea captain, pioneer shipping man, and Union blockade runner in Florida.

Frederick Tresca was laid down 31 January 1944, under Maritime Commission (MARCOM) contract, MC hull 2471, by the St. Johns River Shipbuilding Company, Jacksonville, Florida; she was sponsored by Lieutenant Virginia P. Tresca, the great-granddaughter of the namesake, and launched 29 March 1944; chartered by the US Navy, 10 April 1944; she was converted by Merrill-Stevens Drydock & Repair Co., Jacksonville; and commissioned 22 June 1944.

[1][2][3][4] Following shakedown in Chesapeake Bay, Propus proceeded via the Panama Canal, to the Pacific Ocean.

[4] Her name reverted to Frederick Tresca, and she entered the James River Reserve Fleet, in Lee Hall, Virginia.

She was refitted with a 3,000 bhp (2,200 kW) Babcock & Wilcox diesel engine that had been built by Harland and Wolff in 1940.