She was laid down as AA-2 on 31 May 1917 at the Fore River Shipbuilding Company yard in Quincy, Massachusetts by the Electric Boat Co. of New York, launched on 6 September 1919, sponsored by Miss Madeline Everett, redesignated SF-2 on 17 July 1920, renamed T-2 on 22 September 1920, and placed in commission at the Boston Navy Yard on 7 January 1922 with Lt. Clarke Withers in command.