 In May 1917, the U.S. Navy acquired her from Mr. E. Benson Dennis of Cape Charles, Virginia, for use during World War I.Assigned the section patrol number 693, she was commissioned at Norfolk, Virginia, on 17 May 1917 as USS "Amagansett" (SP-693) with Ensign J. L. Brooks, USNRF, probably in command.The Navy officially chartered her from Dennis on 18 May 1917.