Chinquapin (YN-12) was initially authorized as Fir (YN-2), but renamed in October 1940 before construction began. She was built by the General Engineering & Dry Dock Company of Alameda, California, and launched on 15 July 1941; sponsored by Mrs. J. Lane; and placed in service 29 October 1941. She was commissioned 6 January 1943. Assigned to the 12th Naval District headquartered at the Mare Island in Vallejo, California, Chinquapin conducted net, salvage, and towing operations out of the Tiburon, California, Net Depot until 31 December 1943 when she sailed for Pearl Harbor, arriving 10 January 1944. On 20 January she was redesignated AN-17. Chinquapin tended nets and laid moorings at Majuro, Kwajalein, and Eniwetok from 15 February 1944 to 27 July, then supported the Marianas occupation by similar operations at Saipan and Guam until 28 October. Returning via Pearl Harbor to San Francisco, California, as a convoy escort, Chinquapin was overhauled, and on 3 February 1945 sailed via Pearl Harbor and Ulithi for Okinawa, arriving 1 May for net, mooring and transport operations there until 30 October.
Chinquapin returned to Astoria, Oregon, on 11 December and was placed out of commission in reserve 6 March 1946. She was struck from the Naval Vessel Register on 1 September 1962 and placed in the National Defense Reserve Fleet. She was sold for scrapping in 1976. Chinquapin received three battle stars for World War II service.