Mohican, an 231 gross ton steam yacht, was built in Scotland in 1890 as Lady Godiva. Later renamed Norseman and Mohican, she was leased by the U.S. Navy in April 1917 and placed in commission in June 1917 as USS Mohican (SP-117). She was renamed SP-117 in April 1918 to avoid confusion with another Navy ship named Mohican. Until August 1918, she was employed as a patrol and escort vessel in the New York City area. During the final four months of 1918 and into early 1918 SP-117 was a observation balloon support ship in the same vicinity. She was decommissioned and returned to her owner in February 1919.