[1] Greater speed was wanted to match large fast destroyers building for foreign navies, while a larger radius of action was desired.

[12] At the outbreak of the First World War, Christopher, along with the rest of the 4th Flotilla, joined the newly established Grand Fleet,[13] based at Scapa Flow.

In February 1915, Christopher was one of a number of Grand Fleet destroyers ordered to escort merchant ships carrying troops of the 1st Canadian Division from Avonmouth to St Nazaire.

Although the destroyers failed to rendezvous with the convoy, it reached France without any losses [14] On 13 February Owl, Hardy, Contest and Christopher were putting into Barrow harbour to refuel on the way back to Scotland, when they were suddenly signalled to turn away to avoid a ship leaving the harbour.

Christopher, responding to reports of the attack, reached the incident as Glenravel was sinking, and then spotted a submarine in the vicinity of another merchant ship, the Swedish Malmland.

Poor weather forced the two destroyers to seek shelter at Stornoway, however, and Africa reached Scapa without escort.

[22] Although Shark was sunk and Acasta badly damaged in a clash with German light cruisers and torpedo boats, Christopher, which fired 30 shells in the battle, was undamaged, with none of her crew injured.

[23] In July 1916, the 4th Flotilla left the Grand Fleet, moving to the Humber to counter German minelayers and to protect British minesweepers in the North Sea.

[31] At the end of the war, all pre-war destroyers were quickly withdrawn from active service, and Christopher was sold for scrap on 9 May 1921.