 Originally projected as steel-hulled rescue tug USS "ATR—131", "Wandank" was laid down as USS "ATA-204" on 25 September 1944 at Port Arthur, Texas, by the Gulfport Boiler and Welding Works.She was launched on 9 November 1944 and commissioned on 18 January 1945 with Lieutenant, junior grade, Vernon L. Ryan, USNR, in command.She was 143 ft in length and displaced 835 tons.