They were powered by a twin-screw three-cylinder horizontal triple-expansion steam engine developing 2,000 indicated horsepower (1,500 kW) and carried a barquentine sail rig.

[2] They were essentially the same design as the preceding Nymphe class, but built of steel rather than of composite wood-and-steel.

[2] In common with other designs of Royal Navy sloop of the period, the Beagle class were not intended or designed to fight a modern fleet action; they were intended to patrol Britain's extensive maritime empire, and this is how they were employed.

Beagle conducted three foreign commissions between 1890 and 1900, at least two of which were on the South Atlantic Station.

Basilisk also spent all or part of her career on the South Atlantic Station.