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

[11][12][13] In February 1915,Owl was deployed from Scapa Flow to the Irish Sea as part of a force of two divisions of destroyers sent to hunt the German submarine U-21.

By the time the destroyers reached the Irish Sea and began anti-submarine patrols, U-21 had already left the area.

[16] On 5 June 1916 the cruiser Hampshire left Scapa Flow carrying the Secretary of State for War, Lord Kitchener who was leading a military mission to Russia.

[17][18] 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.

[22][23][24] On 16 December 1916 Owl was patrolling with Achates and Contest off the Lizard when they received a report of a German submarine (actually UB-38) attacking shipping off the Cornish coast.

[26] In January 1917 Owl, Cockatrice, Garland and Midge were sent to Lisbon as a result of the presence of German submarines in the Bay of Biscay, escorting Portuguese merchant ships, continuing these operations into March.

[29] At the end of the war, all pre-war destroyers were quickly withdrawn from active service, and Owl was sold for scrap on 5 November 1921.