Lykens performed towing duties along the east coast, to Bermuda, and the Azores throughout World War I. On 24 February 1918, Lykens, along with USS Wadena SP-158 2 , USS Mariner SP-1136 2 and USS Yacona SP-617 2 set sail from Newport, Rhode Island, rendezvousing with eleven 110 feet submarine chasers en route.