 "Bayonne" was laid down under a Maritime Commission contract (MC hull 1487) on 6 May 1943, at Cleveland, Ohio, by the American Ship Building Company and launched on 11 September 1943, sponsored by Mrs. Hannah Gallagher.She was placed in non-commissioned service on 22 September 1944, for a voyage to Baltimore, Maryland, where she arrived on 2 October 1944, and was placed out of service on 6 October 1944.Upon the completion of her fitting-out, she was commissioned at Baltimore, on 14 February 1945, with Commander Elmer E. Comstock, USCG, in command.