The second ship in the United States Navy to be named "Severn," for the river in Maryland which joins the Chesapeake Bay at Annapolis, was a three-masted, sheathed, wooden bark-type sailing vessel, with auxiliary steam power, was laid down as Chesapeake" on 2 August 1898 by the Bath Iron Works at Bath, Maine. The ship was christened by Miss Elise Bradford and launched on 30 June 1899. Commissioning took place on 12 April 1900 with Lieutenant Commander C. E. Colahan in command.

When commissioned, the bark was 224 feet 3 inches in length, had a beam of 37 feet, and displaced 1,175 tons. At that weight, the vessel drew 16 feet of water. Ship's compliment was 113 officers and men. Additionally, accommodations existed for 122 Midshipmen to be embarked for training. Armament included six 4-inch guns, four 6-pounder guns and two 1-pounder guns. Bunkerage was provided for 13 tons of coal...to fuel the auxiliary steam engine.

Following commissioning, USS Chesapeake was towed to Annapolis, Maryland...where she assumed the duties of station ship and practice ship for the Midshipmen at the United States Naval Academy.

Renamed USS Severn on 15 June 1905, the bark decommissioned twice for repairs and overhauls, provided facilities for seamanship drills at the Naval Academy, and conducted summer cruises off the southern New England coast through 1909.

On 15 February 1910, USS Severn was ordered to be refitted as a submarine tender; and, on completion of that work in mid-May, she reported for duty with the 3rd Submarine Division.

For the next three years, USS Severn performed submarine tender duties in New England ports and waters during the summer, and in Chesapeake Bay during the winter. Her movements were accomplished under tow.

Decommissioned a third time for overhaul after summer maneuvers in 1913, USS Severn was recommissioned on 15 November 1913 and transferred to the Panama Canal Zone. The submarine tender arrived at Coco Solo on 12 December 1913 and served as the submarine tender for the 1st Submarine Division into July of 1916.

During 1914, the First World War began on the European continent. The United States declared her neutrality when that conflict commenced...and did not enter that war as an active participant until 1917. The fighting ended in 1918 when the Armistice went into effect.

During July of 1916, USS Severn was ordered back to the United States. The submarine tender arrived at Norfolk, Virginia, under tow by USS Nereus, on 1 August 1916.

USS Severn was decommissioned on 3 October 1916.

On 7 December 1916, the bark was sold to F. G. McDonald of Ardmore, Pennsylvania.