From: Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, Vol.I, Part A - p 346

Arbutus

Any of 20 species of evergreen shrubs or trees of the heath family found in southern Europe and western North America.

Arbutus-- a lighthouse tender built in 1879 at Baltimore, Md.-- was transferred to the Navy from the Lighthouse Service on 16 April 1917 and was commissioned on 4 June 1917. Operating under the orders of the Commandant, 5th Naval District, she served just over two years before being returned to the Lighthouse Service by an executive order dated 1 July 1919.