Chipper was built as a civilian motorboat of the same name in 1909 at Morris Heights in the Bronx, New York. The U.S. Navy leased her on 21 July 1917 for World War I service as a patrol vessel. She was commissioned as USS Chipper (SP-1049) on 24 July 1917. Chipper was returned to her owner on 24 March 1919. Chipper should not be confused with another patrol vessel, USS Chipper (SP-256), later USS SP-256, which also was in commission in the U.S. Navy during World War I.