The Navy approached the Conservation Commission shortly after the nation's entry into World War I proposing the Commission's boats be used to maintain constant local patrols. The state legislature agreed that the boats and men of the state force would become part of the U.S. Naval Reserve providing they patrol the same districts for fisheries enforcement as well as federal interests with the benefit that patrol time would be increased and the expense for all be paid by the federal government.[3] The Maryland State Fishery Force boats began operating under a contract in which they were under a free lease to the United States Navy in August 1917, serving as Squadron Number 8 of the 5th Naval District, patrolling their regular areas enforcing state conservation law and federal laws. They were under the command of a Conservation Commission member who was also a Lieutenant in the Navy with all expenses, wages, supplies and repairs paid by the federal government.[4]
On 17 August 1917 Music became a section patrol boat under the agreement and was commissioned as USS Music (SP-1288) assigned to the 5th Naval District. Music served on patrol and inspection duties in Hampton Roads and on the Elizabeth River in Virginia during World War I. Music returned to exclusive use by the Conservation Commission on 24 September 1918.[1]
On return to the state force the boat was assigned to patrol out of Port Republic, Maryland along with the power boat Dorothy.[5] In 1920 older boats were sold with Music being sold for $625.[6]
(
Bessie Jones, Buck, Daisy Archer, Dorothy, Frolic,, Julia Hamilton, Helen Baughman, Murray, Music, Nellie Jackson, Nettie, Severn, St. Mary's, and Swan