She was built at Pembroke Dockyard, being laid down in 1881, launched in 1883, and completed in financial year 1885–86, and then lay in ordinary at Devonport.

"The Amphion left Lough Swilly with the [new battleship] Rodney, and broke the blockade with her on the night of 4th–5th August.

During her cruize in the Channel and up the East Coast of Great Britain she claims the destruction of much shipping; and the capture of the coastguard stations at Scarborough and Wick, also, after leaving Lough Swilly the second time, to have visited Bude with a hostile purpose.

As Scarborough had already been attacked by Severn five days earlier, her visit there could not have been of much effect, neither does it seem that nay useful purpose was served on the occasion of her visit to Wick, as she was taken there in order that her captain might telegraph to the Achill Admiral through the enemy's wires, an impossible condition in wartime.

[20] Amphion was commissioned at Devonport by Captain Frank Finnis, on 7 January 1897[21][22] She served on the Pacific Station.

The Amphion's engines and boilers are in capital condition, although she has served over nine years on foreign stations, and it is believed that her refit can be carried out for £3,000 less than the sum provided for it.

[28] In January 1902, it was reported that Amphion had struck on a reef while on her way from Panama to Callao, was seriously damaged, and had to proceed to Valparaíso for repairs.

[30] In January 1903 she was reported to be in Paita, Peru, visiting Panama, Acapulco and San Diego before her return to Esquimalt in late March.