Built in 1918, the SS Santa Teresa was originally a passenger liner. In World War I she was requisitioned by the U.S. Navy and served under the title USS Santa Teresa (ID 3804). She served as a commercial vessel between the wars, first under her original name, and later as the SS Kent. During World War II she served first with the U.S. Army as the USAT Ernest Hinds, and later with the Navy as USS Kent (AP-28). She spent the final part of the war as an Army hospital ship, once more under the name USAT (or USAHS) Ernest Hinds.