The next day she was placed in full commission and reported to New Suffolk, L.I., to assume duty as a station ship until 28 October 1903.

Assigned to the Naval Training Stations at Newport and New York during 1905, Dahlgren was placed in reduced commission 13 December 1905 and reported to the Reserve Torpedo Flotilla at Norfolk.

Changing her base to Charleston, South Carolina, 15 October 1908, she continued to serve in torpedo developmental operations until placed in ordinary 14 March 1914.

After being fitted for minesweeping, Dahlgren was placed in full commission 1 April 1917 and served on escort and harbor entrance patrol at Norfolk until 5 December 1917.

4, 1 August 1918, she arrived at Philadelphia Navy Yard from Norfolk 27 January 1918,"and there was placed out of commission 11 March 1919.