Swerve was the second ship to be so named by the U.S. Navy. It was laid down on 20 December 1954 by Broward Marine Inc., Fort Lauderdale, Florida as AM-495; redesignated as MSO-495 on 7 February 1955; launched on 1 November 1955; sponsored by Mrs. F. A. Denison; and commissioned on 27 July 1957, Lt. Comdr. K. H. Eaton in command.