Panamint was laid down as SS Northern Light (MC hull 1354) on 1 September 1943 by the North Carolina Shipbuilding Company, Wilmington, N.C.; launched 9 November 1943; acquired by the Navy 29 February 1944; converted to a general communications vessel at the Todd-Hoboken Yard, Hoboken, New Jersey, N.J.; commissioned 14 October 1944, Capt. E. E. Woods in command.