 On 19 May 1917 or in June 1917, the U.S. Navy acquired her from her owners - R. Talbot, J. C. Wright, Howard Wilson, and Irving Chapin, of Lincoln, Nebraska - for use as a section patrol vessel during World War I.She was commissioned as USS "Jaydee III" (SP-692) at Detroit, Michigan, on 12 June 1917 with Ensign P. Springer in command.Assigned to the 9th, 10th, and 11th Naval Districts - at the time a single administration entity created by the amalgamation of the 9th Naval District, 10th Naval District, and 11th Naval District - and based at Detroit, "Jaydee III" served as a patrol craft and shipping traffic regulator on the Detroit River for the rest of World War I.