Laid down by J. Samuel White at East Cowes on the Isle of Wight, the destroyer was launched on 18 August 1916 and joined the Harwich Force.

Setter was one of seventeen R-class destroyer delivered to the British Admiralty as part of the Sixth War Construction Programme.

[1] The design was generally similar to the preceding M class, but differed in having geared steam turbines, the aft gun mounted on a raised platform and minor changes to improve seakeeping.

A total of 296 long tons (301 t) of fuel oil was carried, giving a design range of 3,450 nautical miles (6,390 km; 3,970 mi) at 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph) due to the enhanced efficiency of the geared machinery.

[2] Ordered in July 1915, Setter was laid down by J. Samuel White at East Cowes on the Isle of Wight with the yard number 1478, and launched on 18 August the following year.

Unfortunately, the manoeuvre put the destroyer straight in front of Sylph, which hit the starboard quarter and caused the engine room to flood.