Ordered on 6 March 1943 from the Harland and Wolff yard in Belfast as a Loch-class anti-submarine frigate, and assigned the name "Loch Garasdale", the ship was laid down on 24 October 1944 (yard number 1260). However, during construction the need for anti-aircraft escorts for service in the Far East, meant that the contract was revised, and she was completed as a Bay-class frigate. The ship was named "Wigtown Bay" when launched on 26 April 1945 with the pennant number K616.