Goldfinch was built as trawler Fordham in 1929 by Bath Iron Works of Bath, Maine, and purchased by the Navy 18 September 1940 from F. J. O'Hara & Sons, Inc., Boston, Massachusetts. She was converted to a minesweeper at Bethlehem Atlantic Yard, Boston, and commissioned at Boston Navy Yard 30 January 1941, Lt. Comdr. W. R. McCaleb in command.