She was ordered under the 1903 – 1904 Naval Estimates, laid down on 22 March 1904, at Cammell Laird's shipyard at Birkenhead and launched on 10 November 1904.

On 27 April 1908, the Eastern Flotilla departed Harwich for live fire and night manoeuvres.

On 30 August 1912 the Admiralty directed all destroyer classes were to be designated by alpha characters starting with the letter 'A'.

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.

She was struck by fragments from a shell, bursting short and superficial suffered splinter damage and no casualties.