Laid down in 1905 at the Maryland Steel CO., Dewey was first floated in 1906, and towed via the Suez Canal to Olongapo in 1906.

After the outbreak of World War II, Dewey was moved to Mariveles, Bataan..  It was a particularly attractive target but it was hard to hit has the Navy had submerged it as far as it would go.

 As the reality of the situation of the U.S. forces became apparent,  Dewey, was ordered scuttled to prevent it from falling into the hands of the Japanese.  Dewey 'scuttled on 8 April, 1942.