The fifth Navy vessel to be named "Arcturus", "AF-52" was laid down on 8 December 1941 at Oakland, California, by the Moore Dry Dock Co. under a Maritime Commission contract (MC hull 184) as "Golden Eagle"; launched on 15 March 1942; sponsored by Mrs. John B. McKee; and delivered to the War Shipping Administration (WSA) on 23 April 1943. She was operated under WSA charter by the United Fruit Co. until 1946 and, thereafter by the Sword Line and the United States Lines.