Perry was laid down on 19 April 1899, by Union Iron Works, San Francisco, California; launched on 27 October 1900; sponsored by Miss Maude O'Connor; and commissioned on 4 September 1902.

Perhaps the highlight of the torpedo boat destroyer's career came during the earthquake which struck San Francisco on 18 April 1906, and the resulting fire which devastated the city.

For four days after, they were awakened by severe rolling and pitching of their ship before dawn on 18 April, the crew labored to save the western metropolis by fighting fires; patrolling districts where stores, warehouses, and homes were threatened by looters; and providing medical aid to countless injured men, women, and children.

When the United States entered World War I, Perry patrolled off the California Coast until steaming to Panama where, beginning on 28 July 1917, she guarded the entrance to the vital canal.

Perry's name was struck from the Naval Vessel Register on 15 September, and she was sold to Henry A. Hitner's Sons Company for scrapping on 5 January 1920.