The steam yacht Hermione was designed by Glasgow naval architect George L. Watson and built by Fleming & Ferguson, Paisley, Scotland, in 1891 for James and Richard Allan of the Allen Line, Glasgow.

[4] Hermione was purchased by the United States Navy on 2 April 1898, renamed Hawk, and commissioned three days later, Lt. John Hood in command.

She sailed from Key West in late April 1898 to join the North Atlantic Squadron in blockading Cuba during the Spanish–American War.

Two weeks later she attacked and destroyed enemy ship Alphonso XII, which carried cargo for Cuba.

On 3 August 1909 Hawk was transferred to the Naval Militia of New York, and served for 10 years in the Buffalo area.