Hopkins sailed from Philadelphia on 12 May 1904 and joined the Fleet at Norfolk. That summer, she deployed with the Coast Squadron for the midshipmen at sea training. During the following three years she ranged into the Caribbean Sea, exercising with the Flotilla and engaging in torpedo practice and Fleet problems.
In September 1906, Hopkins was present for the Presidential Review off Oyster Bay. On the 29th, she and Lawrence escorted the President in Mayflower to Cape Cod Bay to witness record target practice. In 1907–1908 Hopkins, as part of the Torpedo Flotilla, accompanied the Atlantic Fleet on a practice cruise to the Pacific. They sailed from Hampton Roads 2 December 1907, exchanging courtesies at various Mexican and South American ports en route. After target practice in Magdelena Bay, the Flotilla arrived at San Francisco on 6 May 1908, in time for the review of the combined Atlantic and Pacific Fleets by the Secretary of the Navy.
On 1 June 1908. Hopkins joined the Pacific Torpedo Fleet for tactics along the West Coast, at sea training north to Alaskan waters and south to the coast of Mexico. On 30 April 1917, after the United States entry into World War I, Hopkins departed San Diego for the Canal Zone. She performed patrol duty, convoyed submarines and assisted them in torpedo proving. On 3 August, she arrived at Hampton Roads, Virginia for escort and patrol ranging along the cost to Bermuda.
Hopkins entered the Philadelphia Navy Yard 29 January 1919, and decommissioned there 20 June. She was sold for scrapping 7 September 1920 to the Denton Shore Lumber Co.
Source: Naval History & Heritage Command including the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.
