"balch" was authorized in march 1911 as the last of four ships of the , 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 21 december, "balch" was launched by sponsor miss grace balch, daughter of the ship's namesake, george beale balch. the ship was the first u.s. navy ship named for balch, a us navy officer who served in the mexican–american war and the american civil war and, as a rear admiral, served as superintendent of united states naval academy from 1879–81.