Derry was built as a non-self-propelled commercial barge at South Rondout, New York, in 1894. The U.S. Navy acquired her from her owners, the Susquehanna Coal Company of New York City, in November 1917, assigning her naval registry Identification Number (Id. No.) 1391. She served in and near New York Harbor through the end of the war.
Derry was returned to her owners in July 1919.