Built in 1905, by the McKay and Dix Shipyard of Verona, Maine as the Roosevelt for the Peary Arctic Club of Hallowell, Maine.

She was originally constructed as a research vessel. Her hull was built to withstand arctic ice, the wood in her hull was 36(in) thick.

In 1910, the vessel was acquired by an individual named John Arbuckle of New York, New York. Where she retained her name, and was converted for use as a towing vessel.

In 1910, the tug was chartered to the United Stated Bureau of Fisheries. Where she retained her name.

In 1912, she was acquired by and individual named H.E.J. McDermott of New York, New York. Where the tug retained her name, and was converted for use as a fishing vessel.

In 1915, she was acquired by the John W. Sullivan and Company of New York, New York. Where the vessel retained her name.

In 1918, the vessel was acquired by the United Stated Navy. Where she was converted for use as a towing vessel. And, the tug was designated as the USS Roosevelt (SP-2397).

In 1923, she was acquired by the West Coast Transportation Company of Seattle, Washington. Where the tug retained her name.

In 1924, the tug was acquired by the Washington Tug and Barge Company of Seattle, Washington. Where she retained her name.

The vessel was later, briefly acquired by the McAllister Brothers Towing Company of New York, New York. Where she retained her name.

In 1937, the tug was wrecked at Panama Canal entrance at Cristobal, Balboa, Panama.

In 1915, her original, 750 horsepower, single, vertical, compound steam engine was removed. And the tug was repowered with a single, oil fired engine.

She was a single screw tug, rated at 1,000 horsepower.