USS Dorothea, a civilian vessel that retained her original name when purchased by the Navy for use as a gunboat, was the only ship of the United States Navy to bear that name, though other ships have been named Dorothea L. Dix, Dorothy Cullen, and Dorothy. Her keel was laid down in 1897 by William Cramp and Sons in Philadelphia. She was purchased by the Navy on 21 May 1898 and commissioned on 1 June 1898 with Lieutenant Commander W. J. Bernette in command.