HMS Osprey was a three-funnel, 30-knot destroyer ordered by the Royal Navy under the 1896–1897 Naval Estimates from Fairfields.

[2][3] She was laid down as yard number 397 on 14 November 1896 at the Fairfield shipyard at Govan, Glasgow and launched on 7 April 1897.

[8] On 30 August 1912 the Admiralty directed all destroyers were to be grouped into classes designated by letters based on contract speed and appearance.

As a three-funneled destroyer with a contract speed of 30 knots, Osprey was assigned to the C class.

[11] For the test mobilization in July 1914 she was assigned to the 8th Destroyer Flotilla based at Chatham.