The Beagles were coal-fuelled ships, designed for a speed of 27 kn (31 mph; 50 km/h) and armed with a 4 in (102 mm) gun and two torpedo tubes.

In the run up to the First World War, the destroyer was deployed to Durazzo to observe the situation in Albania, but was swiftly redeployed back to Malta.

[1][2] The vessels were coal-burning after concerns had been raised about the availability of fuel oil in time of war and the bridge was larger and higher than previous designs.

[12] During sea trials, the destroyer reached a speed of 27.141 kn (31.233 mph; 50.265 km/h) at a power output of 13,627 shp (10,162 kW) and displacement of 923 long tons (938 t).

Up to 226 long tons (230 t) of coal was carried, giving a design range of 2,000 nautical miles (3,700 km; 2,300 mi) at 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph).

[17] Racoon was laid down at Cammell Laird's Birkenhead shipyard on 9 April 1909, was launched on 14 March the following year and completed during October.

[29] On 6 August 1914, the destroyer was deployed searching for the German warships Goeben and Breslau but this was curtailed by a lack of fuel.

[32] Duties varied and included escorting the ex-Union-Castle Line ship Grantully Castle carrying the Suffolk Regiment from Alexandria to Malta on 9 October.

[34] On 19 November, Racoon sailed for Tenedos and spent the next year supporting the naval operations in the Dardanelles Campaign.

[34] In preparation for the assault, the Admiralty decided to attack the defences on the Dardanelles strait with the pre-dreadnought battleships Albion, Majestic and Triumph.

On 26 February, Racoon, alongside sister ship Basilisk, escorted the battleships Cornwallis, Irresistible and Vengeance as they attempted to land parties to attack the batteries.

[37] On the night of 1/2 March, along with sister ships Basilisk, Grasshopper and Mosquito, the destroyer escorted trawlers attempting to clear the minefields.

[38] On the night of 17/18 March, the destroyer was involved in another attempt to clear the mines, this time escorting three trawlers and two picket boats.

[45][46] Once repaired, the destroyer returned on 28 June to escort the protected cruiser Talbot shelling Ottoman positions in support of the Lowland Division during the Battle of Gully Ravine.