Dale was launched on 24 July 1900 by William R. Trigg Company, Richmond, Virginia; sponsored by Miss M. H. Wilson; placed in reserve commission on 24 October 1902, Lieutenant Harry E. Yarnell in command; outfitted at Norfolk, Virginia; and commissioned in full on 13 February 1903.

Assigned to the North Atlantic Fleet, Dale cruised with the First Torpedo Flotilla on the Atlantic coast, taking part in a fleet search problem conducted off Maine, and passing before President Theodore Roosevelt in review off Oyster Bay, New York, on 17 August 1903.

The First Torpedo Flotilla - convoyed by Buffalo - cleared Norfolk on 12 December 1903 and sailed to the Asiatic Station by way of the Mediterranean and the Suez Canal.

Recommissioned on 10 July 1907, she remained on duty with the Asiatic Fleet, cruising to Japan and China, engaging in torpedo and battle practice and maneuvers with the flotilla, guarding and inspecting the target range at Cavite, and transporting mail and passengers.

After the United States entered World War I, Dale patrolled the entrance to Manila Bay from 30 June – 1 August 1917, then sailed to join US Patrol Squadrons based on Gibraltar, arriving there on 20 October.