She was laid down on July 14, 1917 at Rieboldt, Wolter & Company shipyard at Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin for the benefit of the Lake and Ocean Navigation Company of Chicago using Crosby & Sullivan (also of Chicago) as the general contractors.

[1] Prior to her launching, the contract was assigned or purchased by the United States Shipping Board's Emergency Fleet Corporation (EFT) due to a shortage of cargo ships during World War I and her design was modified (referred to as Design 1007).

[4] She was acquired by the Navy from the United States of America (U.S.) Shipping Board on 24 September 1921 and assigned to the 9th Naval District.

She served New York until 30 January 1928, when she was taken over by the Commandant, 3rd Naval District, for disposal.

On 5 March 1928, her hulk was sold to the Donahue Stratton Co. of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.