Naiwa was assigned to Naval Overseas Transportation Service on a United States Army account.
After refitting for naval service, Naiwa cleared Baltimore Harbor on 27 November 1918 with a general cargo for France, but was forced to turn back because of jammed steering gear.
Following extensive repairs in drydock, she steamed from Norfolk, Virginia, on 8 March 1919 to again attempt a transatlantic crossing, and this time arrived at La Pallice, France, on 23 March 1919.
She then went on to Bordeaux, where she discharged her cargo.

Naiwa cleared Bordeaux on 12 April 1919 and steamed to Brest, where she took on a cargo of 7,130 tons of German guns and gun parts, then departed for Norfolk, Virginia.
She arrived at Norfolk on 2 May 1919.
Naiwa was assigned to Naval Overseas Transportation Service on a United States Army account. After refitting for naval service, Naiwa cleared Baltimore Harbor on 27 November 1918 with a general cargo for France, but was forced to turn back because of jammed steering gear. Following extensive repairs in drydock, she steamed from Norfolk, Virginia, on 8 March 1919 to again attempt a transatlantic crossing, and this time arrived at La Pallice, France, on 23 March 1919. She then went on to Bordeaux, where she discharged her cargo.
Naiwa cleared Bordeaux on 12 April 1919 and steamed to Brest, where she took on a cargo of 7,130 tons of German guns and gun parts, then departed for Norfolk, Virginia. She arrived at Norfolk on 2 May 1919.
USS Naiwa (ID-3512)