"Aylwin" was authorized in March 1911 as the lead ship of the four-ship , which was almost identical to the s authorized at the same time. Construction of the vessel—like her three sister ships—was awarded to William Cramp & Sons of Philadelphia which laid down her keel on 7 May 1912. On 23 November, "Aylwin" was launched by sponsor Mrs. Joseph Wright Powell, wife of the assistant to the president of the Cramp shipyard. The ship was the second U.S. Navy ship named for John Cushing Aylwin, a U.S. Navy officer killed in action aboard during the War of 1812. As built, the destroyer was in length, abeam, and drew . The ship had a standard displacement of and displaced when fully loaded.