Originally built by Vickers for Brazil, she was purchased by the Royal Navy in 1914 on the outbreak of the First World War along with her sister ships Humber and Mersey.

As a result of her shallow draught, she was very un-manoeuvrable and unseaworthy in open waters in anything more than a Force 5 wind.

At the Battle of the Yser in 1914, off the coast of Belgium, she bombarded German troops as well as artillery positions.

On 10 October 1914, she survived an attack by the submarine U-8 when a torpedo passed under the shallow draught vessel.

In early 1915, the twin turret was removed and replaced by two shielded single 6 inch guns fore and aft.