On 31 December 1903 while at anchor at Key West she was fouled by the passing steamer Olivette, receiving minor hull damage.

Departing Hampton Roads on 2 December, she sailed with the torpedo flotilla for winter maneuvers in the Caribbean and off South America.

During the next four years, she operated in the Pacific with the 3rd Torpedo Flotilla patrolling the coast from Canada to Panama and engaged in exercises with the fleet.

After America's entry into World War I, Lawrence was placed in full commission on 13 June 1917 to join coastal defense units.

This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.