The fourth USS Baltimore (C-3) (later CM-1) was a United States Navy cruiser, the fifth protected cruiser to be built by an American yard. Like the previous one, Charleston, the design was commissioned from the British company of W. Armstrong, Mitchell, and Company of Newcastle. Baltimore was an all-around improvement on Charleston, somewhat larger with more guns, thicker armor, and better machinery.

Baltimore was built to plans purchased from Armstrong, a British manufacturer, which were similar to an unsuccessful Armstrong bid for the Spanish cruiser Reina Regente. Unlike the preceding Charleston, these plans included a modern triple expansion engine designed by Humphrys, Tennant & Co. Baltimore's initial cost for hull and machinery was $1,546,172.13.

Baltimore was armed with four 8-inch (203 mm)/35 caliber Mark 4 guns in sponsons on either side of the bow and stern, and six 6-inch (152 mm)/30 caliber Mark 3 guns in sponsons along the sides. Secondary armament was four 6-pounder (57 mm (2.2 in)) guns, two 3-pounder (47 mm (1.85 in)) Hotchkiss revolving cannon, two 1-pounder (37 mm (1.5 in)) Hotchkiss revolving cannon, and two .45 caliber (11.4 mm) Gatling guns. Four 14-inch (356 mm) torpedo tubes were included in the design but never mounted.

Baltimore had 4.5 in (110 mm) gun shields and a 3 in (76 mm) thick armored conning tower. The armored deck was up to 4 in (100 mm) on its sloped sides and 2.5 in (64 mm) elsewhere.

The as-built engineering plant included four coal-fired cylindrical boilers producing steam for two horizontal triple expansion engines totaling 10,750 ihp (8,020 kW) for a designed speed of 19 knots (35 km/h; 22 mph), although 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph) was achieved on trials. Baltimore was among the first US Navy ships with the more powerful and efficient triple expansion engines. Unlike some contemporary designs, no sails were fitted. Baltimore carried 400 tons of coal for a range of 3,838 nmi (7,108 km; 4,417 mi) at 10 kn (19 km/h; 12 mph); this could be increased to 850 tons for 8,155 nmi (15,103 km; 9,385 mi).

Baltimore also was a testbed for a new kind of stockless anchor designed by Herbert O. Dunn. The anchor showed itself in the best sight and was later adopted as the US Navy standard.

Baltimore was rebuilt between 1900 and 1903 with the armament replaced by 12 6-inch (152 mm)/40 caliber Mark 7 guns, the 8-inch guns being removed. The secondary armament was replaced (or augmented) by six 3-inch (76 mm)/50 caliber guns. The boilers were replaced with eight Babcock & Wilcox boilers. In 1913 and 1914 she was converted into a minelayer at the Charleston Navy Yard with four 6"/40 guns and a capacity of 180 mines. In an armament upgrade for World War I, between 1917 and 1918, her guns were replaced with four 5-inch (127 mm)/51 caliber guns and two 3-inch (76 mm)/50 caliber anti-aircraft guns.

She was launched on 6 October 1888 by William Cramp & Sons Ship and Engine Building Company, in Philadelphia, sponsored by Mrs. Theodore D. Wilson, wife of Chief Constructor Theodore D. Wilson; and commissioned on 7 January 1890, with Captain W. S. Schley in command.