She was laid down by the Elizabeth City Shipyard, in Elizabeth City, North Carolina on 7 March 1942. She was launched on 6 April 1942 and was commissioned as USS SC-704 on 28 September 1942 with her Coast Guard crew aboard. She was assigned to duty in Greenland waters and was transferred to the Pacific Theatre in August, 1944.

Commanding officers (list incomplete): LTJG R. S. Crampton (10 August 1944).