The Sharpshooter-class was designed under the leadership of William Henry White, the Director of Naval Construction to be faster and more seaworthy than the preceding prototype torpedo gunboat, Rattlesnake and the three Grasshopper-class torpedo gunboats, while carrying a heavier armament.

[16] On the outbreak of the First World War Seagull joined the newly established Grand Fleet.

[17] In August 1914, the minesweepers attached to the Grand Fleet, including Seagull were employed on carrying out daily sweeps of the Pentland Firth.

[19] On 27 October, the battleship Audacious struck a mine off Tory Island, north-west of Lough Swilly, and despite efforts to tow her to safety, sank later that day.

[20][21] As a result, Seagull together with sister ships Skipjack and Speedwell were ordered from Scapa Flow to join Leda and Circe in clearing this minefield.

[24] On 30 September 1918 Seagull was sunk in a collision with the merchant ship SS Corribb in the Firth of Clyde.