Built by Vickers at their Naval Construction Yard, Barrow-in-Furness Latona was launched on 22 May 1890 and completed in April 1891.

Latona was present at the Naval Review at Spithead on 26 June 1897 in celebration of the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria.

She served in the West Indies under Captain Baynes, and returned to Portsmouth from Bermuda on 27 January 1900, with the paid-off crew of HMS Indefatigable.

During the tour she had encountered the barque Oxford in distress, and brought the crew of 16 to safety as the ship was leaking.

[3] On 27 June 1900 Latona was ordered to be specially commissioned for a naval mobilization, to take place in July.