Seneca was built as a non-self-propelled commercial schooner barge of the same name in 1884 by Delaware River Iron Ship Building and Engine Works at Chester, Pennsylvania.

Seneca first served as a coal barge for the Minesweeping Division at Tompkinsville, Staten Island, New York.

In January 1918, she moved to Providence, Rhode Island, and she spent the last months of World War I as a floating base at Shelburne, Nova Scotia, Canada.

In February 1919, Seneca relieved the submarine tender USS Bushnell (AS-2) as temporary tender for Submarine Division 5, and served as such, primarily as an accommodation ship, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from 4 March to 28 May 1919 and at Norfolk, Virginia, from 29 May 1919 until detached on 29 August 1919.

Seneca was ordered sold on 10 September 1919 and was delivered to her purchaser, the Neptune Line of New York City, on 1 October 1919.