Salmon was launched on 12 March 1910 sponsored by Eunice Fitzgerald, the daughter of Boston Mayor John F.

[3] In July 1910, captained by Electric Boat Company executive and former naval officer Gregory C. Davison, she journeyed from Massachusetts to Bermuda and returned.

[4][5][6] Commissioned on 8 September 1910 with Lieutenant David A. Weaver in command, the new submarine joined the Atlantic Torpedo Fleet at Newport, Rhode Island.

The torpedo fleet was active along the East Coast and made a cruise to the Caribbean Sea from 17 October 1912 – 20 January 1913 after which D-3 remained to serve with the forces operating in Mexican waters following the occupation of Veracruz.

She trained aspiring submariners at Newport and New London, Connecticut, until placed in commission, in reserve on 5 September 1919.