Seneca was built as a non-self-propelled commercial schooner barge of the same name in 1884 by John Roach & Sons at Chester, Pennsylvania. On 18 October 1917, the U.S. Navy purchased her from the Luckenbach Steamship Company for use during World War I. Assigned the section patrol number SP-1240, she was commissioned in 1917 as USS Seneca (SP-1240) with Chief Boatswain's Mate Raymond Smith, USNRF, in command. Seneca was ordered sold on 10 September 1919 and was delivered to her purchaser, the Neptune Line of New York City, on 1 October 1919.