HMS Cherwell was a Palmer Type River-class destroyer ordered by the Royal Navy under the 1902 – 1903 Naval Estimates.

After 30 September 1913, she was known as an E class destroyer and had the letter 'E' painted on the hull below the bridge area and on either the fore or aft funnel.

Soon after the commencement of hostilities she was deployed to the Scapa Flow Local Flotilla under the command of the Commander-in-Chief Home Fleet tendered to HMS St Vincent.

[4] In August 1915 with the amalgamation of the 7th and 9th Flotillas, she had been redeployed to the North Channel Patrol based at Larne, Northern Ireland.

She was equipped with depth charges for employment in anti-submarine patrols, escorting of merchant ships and defending the Dover Barrage.