USS Kiowa, a 35-foot motor patrol boat, was built in 1915 at Boston, Massachusetts, as a civilian pleasure craft. Acquired by the Navy in May 1917, she entered service the following month. Kiowa served on harbor patrol duties in the Boston area during the rest of World War I. Renamed SP-711 in April 1918, she was placed out of service in November of that year and returned to her owner in March 1919.