Powhatan was first attached to the Auxiliary Naval Force based at Pensacola, Florida, from 11 June 1898 to 8 August 1898.

In 1900 Powhatan served the Marine Hospital Service, United States Department of the Treasury, as a quarantine vessel at Reedy Island, Delaware.

She returned to the U.S. Navy in 1901 as yard tug at the New York Navy Yard On 1 December 1906 she was involved in a minor collision with a float off Pier 4 in the North River, causing slight damage to her port side.

Cayuga continued to be stationed at the New York Navy Yard until decommissioned on 20 April 1928.

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