HMS Rother was a Palmer type River-class destroyer ordered by the Royal Navy under the 1902–1903 Naval Estimates.

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

[citation needed] On 2 November 1909 the destroyer Crusader collided with Rother near the Longsand lightvessel.

Rother had her boilers retubed at Pembroke Dockyard in 1912, joining the 5th Destroyer Flotilla on completion of the refit.

On 30 August 1912 the Admiralty directed all destroyers were to be grouped into classes designated by letters, with the River-class becoming known officially as the E-Class.

[10] Shortly before the commencement of hostilities, the 9th Flotilla was deployed to its war station in the northern part of the East coast of England.