"Success" was laid down on 18 February 1944 by Associated Shipbuilders, Seattle, Washington; launched on 11 May 1944; sponsored by Mrs. J. L. McLean; and commissioned on 18 October 1944, Lt. R. N. Hall, USNR, in command. "Success" completed fitting out at Seattle, Washington, and sailed for San Pedro, California, on 8 November where she held her shakedown cruise in the harbor of Los Angeles, California. On 11 December, the minesweeper got underway for Hawaii and arrived at Pearl Harbor on 19 December 1944.