HMS Bat was a Palmer-built three funnel, 30 knot torpedo boat destroyer ordered by the Royal Navy under the 1895 – 1896 Naval Estimates.

[3] The ship made an average speed of 30.2 kn (34.8 mph; 55.9 km/h) in a three-hour run during Sea trials on 17 July 1897.

[12] On 27 November 1987, Bat was commissioned at Portsmouth by the crew of the destroyer Thrasher for service with the Devonport Instructional Flotilla.

The following month she had her starboard propeller damaged while in Falmouth harbour, when the destroyer Fairy dragged her moorings and drifted into Bat and other ships of the flotilla.

[16] Following repairs in Devonport, she was to go back to the flotilla, but had to withdraw for a longer period as there was an accident in the engine-room during power trials in late February.

[23] On the night of 27 October 1904, Bat was in collision with the destroyer Panther off Gozo, with both ships having to return to Malta for repairs.

[24][25] In 1910, Bat was part of the Fourth Destroyer Flotilla, based at Portsmouth and tendered to the depot ship Hecla.

[26][27] By March 1913, Bat was part of the Sixth Flotilla at Portsmouth, which was equipped with older destroyers for patrol purposes.

[33] On the outbreak of war, the Eighth Flotilla was deployed to the Firth of Forth, carrying out patrol duties in support of the Grand Fleet.