The ship was laid down under Maritime Commission contract (MC hull 107) on 31 August 1940 as a Maritime Commission type (C3-P&C) hull at Ingalls Shipbuilding, Pascagoula, Mississippi.
African Meteor was launched on 23 August 1941; sponsored by Mrs. Theresa Murray; acquired by the Navy on 5 February 1942; and commissioned as USS Samuel Chase (AP-56) on 13 June 1942, Commander Roger C. Heimer, USCG, in command.