The IMPOCO was launched by Greenock & Grangemouth Dockyard Co Ltd., Grangemouth, Scotland as Yard Nr: 353, May 20, 1913.
It was named Impoco for Imperial Oil Co Ltd (Charles O Stillman, Manager) Sarnia, Ontario.
From 1914 to 1918 the IMPOCO was requisitioned for Admiralty service as an oil tanker, the ship's name was unchanged.