The Bainbridge-class design was intended to combine high-speed with improved seaworthiness, and had a raised forecastle instead of the "turtleback" forecastle common in European designs.
Bainbridge was launched on 27 August 1901, She reached a speed of during sea trials, placed in reserve commission at Philadelphia on 24 November 1902, Lieutenant G. W. Williams in command, towed to Norfolk, Virginia, and placed in full commission on 12 February 1903.