Elmasada, a 66-foot (47 gross ton) motor pleasure craft, was built in 1909 by Robert Jacobs of City Island, New York. In mid-May 1917, shortly after the United States entered World War I, her owner, C.B. Fox of New Orleans, Louisiana, was directed to turn her over to the Navy. Later purchased by the Navy, early in June 1917 she was placed in commission as USS Elmasada (SP-109). For the rest of the conflict and for a short time after the November 1918 Armistice, the boat was employed on patrol and transportation duties in the New Orleans area. Stricken from the Navy List in May 1919, she was transferred to the U.S. Lighthouse Service in June.