The fourth Narragansett to be so-named by the U.S. Navy, AT-88 was laid down on 31 January 1942 by the Cramp Shipbuilding Co., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; launched on 8 August 1942, sponsored by Miss Lois Kinehen Hill, and commissioned on 15 January 1943, Lt. (j.j.) C. J. Wichmann in command.