Keel laid January 17,1896, launched December 5,1896 (12:39pm), delivered June 27,1897, commissioned October 5,1897. 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, 12.29 knots under power. Complement of 8 officers and 148 enlisted. In blockade of Cuba in Spanish-American War. Assigned to the Philippines and then to Inshore Coastal Patrol off the east coast for World War I. Used as a training ship at New York Merchant Marine Academy 1905 - 1931. October 24,1935 transferred to Aberdeen, Washington as a Naval Militia Training Vessel.