Pilgrim II was built as a private motor houseboat of the same name in 1925 by the John H. Mathis Company at Camden, New Jersey, for William H. Elkins of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. On 24 March 1942, the U.S. Navy acquired her from Elkins for use as a motor launch during World War II. Converted by the John H. Mathis Company at Camden for service as a river patrol boat, she was placed in service at the Philadelphia Navy Yard in Philadelphia on 28 April 1942 as USS Pilgrim II (YFB-30). Pilgrim II was stricken from the Navy List on 10 June 1947 and returned to Elkins the same day.