Launched in 1876, Ruby was commissioned to the East Indies Station, serving between Burma, Ceylon, Madras and other important parts of the British Empire.

Transferred to operating in the Mediterranean Sea, the vessel supported humanitarian efforts during the 1878 Macedonian rebellion and then the British forces during the Anglo-Egyptian War of 1882.

The additional longitudinal strength of the metal frames was designed to afford the opportunity to build in finer lines, and thus achieve higher speeds.

The ships did not deliver this better performance, partly due to poor underwater design, and also were prone to oscillate in heavy weather.

[6] The ship was equipped with six cylindrical boilers feeding a compound engine consisting of two cylinders, working on low and high pressure respectively, rated at 2,000 indicated horsepower (1,500 kW).

Five were mounted to each side to provide a broadside, the remainder being fitted in pairs firing through embrasures at the ends of the ship.

[1] Laid down by Earle's Shipbuilding at their shipyard in Kingston upon Hull on 8 July 1874 alongside sister ship Turquoise, Ruby was launched on 9 August 1876 and was completed on 14 June 1877 at a cost of £93,116.

[14] The corvette subsequently returned to the Mediterranean and, by September, was supporting the British forces during a military expedition to Egypt.

[17] After an extensive refit, the vessel was recommissioned and sailed for the South East Coast of America Station on 2 May 1885, arriving on 18 June in Rio de Janeiro.