Departing Portsmouth, in tow 21 May 1905, Reina Mercedes was taken to Newport, Rhode Island, to be attached to the receiving ship USS Constellation; and, but for a visit to Boston and to New York City in 1908, served there until 1912.

From 1912 until 1957, USS Reina Mercedes served as the station ship at Annapolis, Maryland, with the exception of brief periods in 1916, 1927, 1939, and 1951 when she was towed to the Norfolk Navy Yard for docking and overhaul.

Until 1940 it was customary for United States Naval Academy midshipmen serving punishment to live and take their meals on board the old ship for up to two months at a time.

She was never considered a "brig", as sometimes recalled, for the midshipmen continued to attend all drills and recitations afloat and ashore but were required to sleep in hammocks in the ship and to take their meals on board.

Because her commanding officer was provided with quarters on board for his entire family, Reina Mercedes was the only U.S. Navy ship on which dependents were permitted to live.

For a brief moment in 1920, Reina Mercedes flew her former flag—the flag of Spain—as a gesture of friendship when the Spanish battleship Alfonso XIII called at Annapolis.