Helen Baughman was built as a civilian schooner of the same name in 1894 by Bowns at Nanticoke, Maryland. In August 1917, the U.S. Navy acquired her from her owner, the Maryland State Conservation Commission, for use as a section patrol boat during World War I. She was commissioned as USS Helen Baughman (SP-1292).
Assigned to the 5th Naval District and based at Deale, Maryland, Helen Baughman served on patrol duties on the Chesapeake Bay for the rest of World War I, cruising Herring Bay, Tangier Sound, and surrounding areas.
The Navy returned Helen Baughman to the Conservation Commission on 27 November 1918.