She was launched in 1903, saw active service in the Middle East during World War I, was briefly involved in the 1920 British Somaliland campaign and was sold at Bombay in 1920.

The visit was in connection with the proposal of the Admiralty to examine the various reefs in the Cook and other groups, to make safe entrances for the surf boats, discharging and loading cargo.

Planning to return to Sydney for Christmas, she visited Fiji again, where she stayed at the disposal of the Governor because of political problems at Tonga, to which she made some tours.

[5][2] In 1908, the Clio transported British journalist Ernest Bethell from Chemulpo to Shanghai to serve a sentence of imprisonment for inciting Koreans to oppose Japanese rule of Korea.

[6] She re-commissioned at Hong Kong in August 1914 and was initially based at Sandakan, tasked with patrolling the Basilan Straits.