Relief, an 828 gross ton steel salvage tug, was built in 1907 at Wilmington, Delaware. She was taken over by the Navy in August 1918 and placed in commission as USS Relief (ID # 2170) a few days later. For the rest of World War I and the first months of the post-war era she served in the vicinity of New York City. Sold back to her original owners in May 1919, Relief resumed her work as a commercial salvage tug. During World War II she was again employed by the Navy, but remained under civilian ownership and operation. After a long career, Relief was placed out of service in 1955.