She was launched on 30 June 1899, sponsored by Miss Elise Bradford, and commissioned on 12 April 1900.

Renamed Severn on 15 June 1905, she decommissioned twice for repair and overhaul, provided facilities for seamanship drills at the Naval Academy and conducted summer cruises off southern New England through 1909.

On completion of that work in mid-May 1910, she reported for duty with the 3rd Submarine Division.

Until 1913, she performed submarine tender duties off New England during the summer and in the Chesapeake Bay during the winter, her movements being accomplished under tow.

She arrived at Coco Solo, Panama, on 12 December 1913 and served as tender to the 1st Submarine Division until July 1916.