Keel laid January 17,1896, launched December 5,1896 (12:22 pm), delivered June 27,1897, commissioned October 23,1897. Steam vessel with 3-masted barkentine rig-square rigged foremast and 2 fore and aft rigged aftermasts. Steel hull sheathed with pine and covered with copper. 

At trials reached 6 1/2 knots under sail and 12.71 knots under power. Complement of 8 officers and 165 enlisted. In blockade of Cuba in Spanish-American War. To west coast of Mexico for World War I. Captured schooner ALEXANDER AGASSIZ being used by Germany. Assigned to the Philippines until the end of war. Transferred to the United States Coast Guard May 2,1921, renamed ALEXANDER HAMILTON, and used as a training ship 1921 - 1930. Renamed BETA and used as a station ship 1930 - 1944. Returned to the United States Navy March 12,1945 and sold for scrap March 28,1946. Scrapped the same year.