Katrina Luckenbach, a steam turbine powered freighter of 8074 gross tons, was built in 1917-18 at Quincy, Massachusetts. The Navy chartered her for World War I service soon after construction was completed, placing her in commission in May 1918 as USS Katrina Luckenbach. Assigned to the Naval Overseas Transportation Service, she carried supplies to Europe beginning in June 1918. In December 1918, after the end of the fighting, she was transferred to the Cruiser and Transport Force and converted to a troop transport for use bringing American military personnel home from the former war zone. USS Katrina Luckenbach was decommissioned and returned to her owners in November 1919.