 On 31 May 1917, the U.S. Navy purchased her from her owners, the McNeal Dodson Company, Inc., of Reedville, Virginia, for naval use during World War I.She was delivered to the Navy on 14 June 1917 at Norfolk, Virginia, and was commissioned there as USS "Kenneth L. McNeal" (SP-333) on 10 August 1917 with Lieutenant, junior grade, C. B. Byrne in command.After fitting out as a minesweeper, "Kenneth L. McNeal" departed Norfolk on 17 August 1917 bound for Boston, Massachusetts, then left Boston on 26 August 1917 bound for Brest, France.