Lake Benbow, a depot collier, was launched 4 July 1918 by American Shipbuilding Co., Detroit; acquired by the Navy from the USSB 17 August 1918; and commissioned at Montreal, Canada, the same day Lt. (jg.) A. W. Pabo, in command.
Assigned to NOTS, Lake Benbow arrived at her home port, Cardiff, Wales, during September to transport coal to French ports. She continued these vital operations throughout World War I, contributing to the Allied war effort.
After the Armistice, Lake Benbow cleared Barry Roads, Wales, 25 June 1919 with a cargo of Army ordnance. Arriving Newport News, Va., 13 July, she decommissioned and was returned to USSB 17 July 1919. She was sold to the Ford Motor Co. in 1926 and operated out of Detroit. Sold to Rederi A/S Nidaros in 1937, she operated out of Oslo with Norwegian papers under the name Nidaros. In 1946 she was sold to Rymo Panama and sailed under Panamanian colors as Eastern Trader.
