The submarine torpedo boat USS A-2 was originally laid down as USS Adder (Submarine Torpedo Boat Number 3) on 3 October 1900 at Elizabethport, New Jersey, by the Crescent Shipyard of Lewis Nixon, a subcontractor for the John P. Holland Torpedo Boat Company of New York. The submarine was christened by Mrs. Jane S. Wainwright, wife of Rear Admiral Richard Wainwright, and launched on 22 July 1901. The boat was commissioned on 12 January 1903 at the Holland yard at New Suffolk, New York. Ensign Frank L. Pinney was the Commanding Officer.

When commissioned, the Plunger Class submarine displaced 107 tons; was 63'10" in length; had a beam of 11'11"; drew 10'7" of water when in diving trim on the surface; could make 8 knots on the surface and 7 knots submerged; was manned by seven officers and men; and was armed with one 18-inch torpedo tube.

After initial experimental duty at the Naval Torpedo Station at

Newport, Rhode Island; USS Adder was towed to the Norfolk Navy Yard by the tug "Peoria," arriving there on 4 December 1903. In January 1904, the submarine torpedo boat was assigned to the Reserve Torpedo Flotilla. Placed out of commission on 26 July 1909, USS Adder was loaded on board the collier USS Caesar, and was transported to the

Philippine Islands, arriving there on 1 October 1909.

Recommissioned on 10 February 1910, she was assigned to duty with the First Submarine Division, Asiatic Torpedo Fleet. Over almost a decade, the submarine torpedo boat operated from Cavite and Olongapo, principally in training and experimental work. During this time, she was renamed, on 17 November 1911, becoming simply USS A-2 (Submarine Torpedo Boat Number 3).

During World War I, she carried out patrols off the entrance to

Manila Bay, and around the island of Corregidor.

Decommissioned on 12 December 1919, USS A-2 (assigned the alphanumeric hull number SS-3 on 17 July 1920) was designated for use as a target on 24 September 1920. She was struck from the Naval Vessel Register on 16 January 1922.