 Placed in service in the 4th Naval District—which was responsible for the Pennsylvania, Delaware, and southern New Jersey area -- "Caliph" performed section patrol duty until December 1917, when she was laid up for the winter at Washington, D.C..

"Caliph" was recommissioned on 1 April 1918 and assigned to duty with the District Communication Superintendent at Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania.She resumed her patrol duties.