Malvern, a 34 gross ton harbor tug, was built in 1900 at Turkey Point, Virginia, under the name Malvern Hill. She was chartered by the Navy for World War I service and placed in commission in April 1917 as USS Malvern (ID # 3055). She served in the Hampton Roads and Norfolk, Virginia, area as a tug and minesweeper until January 1919, when she was decommissioned and returned to her owner.