The Bainbridge-class destroyers were the first destroyers of the United States Navy.
Following the Spanish-American War, these ships were authorized.
The ships were laid down in 1899 to 1900 at various shipyards. Chauncey collided with SS Rose and was lost in 1917. The other ships were decommissioned in 1920. Hopkins was sold to Denton Shore Lumber Company . All others were sold to Joseph G. Hitner.
Some sources break the class into other classes.
- Hopkins and Hull were oil-fueled rather than coal-fueled, and may be considered to be Hopkins-class.
- Lawrence and Macdonough had two additional 6-pounder guns, and may be considered to be Lawrence-class.