The outbreak of the First World War led to her being purchased by the Admiralty in August 1914 shortly after her launching, and renamed HMS Broke.

All of the class were present at the Battle of Jutland on 31 May to 1 June 1916, where Broke, out of control after hits from German ships, collided with the Acasta-class destroyer HMS Sparrowhawk, leading to the latter's loss.

Built as the Almirante Goni by J. Samuel White, East Cowes, HMS Broke was launched on 25 May 1914, and was completed in 1914.

Broke formed part of the 4th Destroyer Flotilla commanded by Captain Charles Wintour on board HMS Tipperary.

The German ships had turned away to avoid the torpedoes, and in the confusion Elbing was rammed by the battleship SMS Posen.

[3][4] Sub Lieutenant Percy Wood saw Broke coming towards them at 28 knots, heading directly for Sparrowhawk's bridge.

Wood reported to Commander Allen, who told him to return to his own ship and make preparations there to take on board the crew of Broke.

Returning to Sparrowhawk, Wood was told by his own captain, Lieutenant Commander Sydney Hopkins, that he had just sent exactly the same message across to Broke.

The ship proceeded slowly towards Britain but by 06:00 on 2 June found that she could no longer travel into the high seas with her damaged bow and had to turn back towards Heligoland.

For a while, there was hand-to-hand fighting between the crews, as the German sailors boarded the British ship, before Broke got free and G42 sank.