USS Rapidan (AO-18), built under U.S. Shipping Board contract, was laid down 2 February 1919 by the Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co., Newport News, Virginia; launched 25 October 1919; authorized for transfer to the Navy 29 October 1921; and commissioned 1 January 1922, Comdr. M. P. Nash, USNRF, in command. Decommissioned 17 September 1946 at Portsmouth, Virginia, Rapidan was transferred to the Maritime Commission 18 September 1946 and her name was struck from the Navy List 29 October 1946. On 10 September 1947 she was sold to the Northern Metals Co. for scrap.