Construction began 'on spec' (i.e. as a private venture by the builder without a specific order), but the part-built ship was included in a January 1899 tender by Palmers to supply three destroyers[a] to the Royal Navy under a supplement to the 1899–1900 shipbuilding programme.

[5] Armament was a single QF 12 pounder 12 cwt (3 in-calibre or 76 mm) gun on a platform on the ship's conning tower (in practice the platform was also used as the ship's bridge), backed up by five 6-pounder guns, and two 18 inch (450 mm) torpedo tubes.

[9] On 16 March 1901, Peterel, as part of the Portsmouth Instructional Flotilla, was due to escort the liner Ophir, carrying the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York (the future King George V and Queen Mary), out of Portsmouth harbour as the Prince and Princess started a tour of the British Empire.

[11] On 13 September 1904, Peterel was commissioned for comparative trials against sister-ship Spiteful, which had been modified to use oil fuel.

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