As early as 1847, both the United States Army and U.S. Navy chartered American merchant ships separately.

The U.S. Navy inspected her for possible naval service in March 1917 and again in June 1918, and chartered her on 23 June 1918 for World War I service in the 6th Naval District.

In 1917, the U.S. Navy chartered her for use as a patrol boat during World War I. She was commissioned on 15 April 1917 as USS Politesse (SP-662).

The U.S. Navy chartered Lady Mary on 16 July 1917 for World War I service as a patrol vessel and took delivery of her on 21 July 1917.

In 1917, the U.S. Navy chartered her from her owner for use as a section patrol boat during World War I and took delivery of her on 8 October 1918.

On 29 May 1918, the U.S. Navy chartered all three ships from the Russian Government for World War I use.

The U.S. Navy has also chartered other heavy lift ships to carry smaller craft, usually mine-countermeasure craft, or other patrol craft.

The U.S. Navy chartered Karibou from her owner, Harwood Spencer of Asheville, North Carolina, on 17 May 1917 for World War I service as a patrol vessel.

The U.S. Navy chartered her from her owner, A. Halsey, on 5 September 1917 for World War I service as a patrol vessel.

The U.S. Navy chartered her in 1917 for World War I service and commissioned her on 17 March 1917 as USS Fantana (SP-71) with Ensign N. B. Wolcott in command.