Manito II was built as a civilian wooden-hulled motor yacht of the same name in 1912 by the Hudson Yacht and Boat Company at Nyack, New York. The U.S. Navy purchased her from her owner, Mr. I. K. Keyward, on 10 May 1917 for World War I service as a patrol vessel. She was commissioned the same day as USS Manito II (SP-262).
