USS Cincinnati, a 3183-ton protected cruiser, was built by the New York Navy Yard, commissioning in June 1894. Her early service was in Atlantic, Caribbean and European waters. She operated in the West Indies during the Spanish-American War, and participated in the bombardment of Matanzas, Cuba.

From 1902 to 1917, Cincinnati was stationed in the Caribbean, the Mediterranean and in the Pacific, returning the Gulf of Mexico area for First World War service. She decommissioned in April 1919 and was sold in August 1921.