"Winslow" was authorized in March 1913 as the third of six ships of the , which was an improved version of the s authorized in 1911. Construction of the vessel was awarded to William Cramp & Sons of Philadelphia which laid down her keel on 1 October 1913. On 11 February 1915, "Winslow" was launched by sponsor Miss Natalie E. Winslow, grandniece of the ship's namesake, John Ancrum Winslow. The ship was the second ship named for Winslow, a US Navy officer notable for sinking the Confederate commerce raider during the American Civil War. As built, the destroyer was in length, abeam, and drew . The ship had a standard displacement of and displaced when fully loaded.