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, , and . Her keel was laid down in 1897 by William Cramp & 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.