She was laid down at the Seattle shipyard of the Lake Union Dry Dock and Machine Works, Seattle, one of 203 "Six-Bitters" ordered by the United States Coast Guard.

[2] She was designed for long-range picket and patrol duty during Prohibition for postings 20 to 30 miles from shore.

[3] The date of her launching and completion is uncertain although the class design was finalized in April 1924 and all of the Six-Bitters were commissioned by 1925.

[2] In January 1934, she was transferred to the United States Navy and designated as a Yard Patrol Craft (YP).

[2] On 22 October 1940, she along with her sister ship YP-17, were delivered to Guam aboard the replenishment oiler Ramapo for duty as a patrol boat and island defense.