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 ships, while carrying a heavier armament.

[10] She again took part in the Naval Manoeuvres in August the next year, where she suffered leaks in one of her high pressure pistons.

[12] She left for Scotland to join the Home Fleet the following month,[13] and in November 1902 was at Queensferry during the visit of the German Imperial yacht SMY Hohenzollern.

[16] On the outbreak of the First World War Speedwell joined the newly established Grand Fleet at Scapa Flow in Orkney.

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

[20] 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.

[21][22] As a result, Speedwell together with sister ships Skipjack and Seagull were ordered from Scapa Flow to join Leda and Circe in clearing this minefield.