 In May 1917, the U.S. Navy acquired her from her owner, the Virginia State Fish and Oyster Commission, for use as a section patrol boat during World War I.She was commissioned as USS "James River" (SP-861) with Chief Master-at-Arms B. W. Parker in command.Assigned to the 5th Naval District, "James River" patrolled Pocomoke Sound, the James River, the Elizabeth River, and other parts of the lower Chesapeake Bay until just under three weeks before the end of World War I.