 "Chicopee" was laid down as "Esso Trenton" on 14 May 1941 under a Maritime Commission contract at Sun Shipbuilding and Drydock Co. of Chester, Pennsylvania; launched 6 September 1941; sponsored by Mrs. N. L. Lank; acquired by the Navy 3 January 1942, and commissioned on 9 February with Commander G. Bannerman in command.After a short period as station tanker at Casco Bay, Maine, "Chicopee" made several oil runs between ports on the Gulf of Mexico and the U.S. East Coast.She departed Norfolk 8 June 1942 for NS Argentia, Newfoundland, and served as station tanker there from 12 June until 8 July when she sailed to Reykjavík, Iceland, returning to Norfolk 25 July.