The boilers fed two sets of triple-expansion steam engines rated at 3,500 indicated horsepower (2,600 kW), driving two Gunmetal propellers with a diameter of 8 ft 3 in (2.51 m) which gave a design speed of 18.7 knots (21.5 mph; 34.6 km/h).

Three 18-inch (450 mm) torpedo tubes were fitted, with one fixed in the ship's bow and the other two on swivelling mounts on the beam.

[2] She reached a speed of 20.21 knots (23.26 mph; 37.43 km/h) during sea trials, when her engines delivered 4,703 indicated horsepower (3,507 kW).

[14] In 1898, Speedy was deployed to Gibraltar, but was forced to return to Britain to have her boilers re-tubed after suffering problems on the journey out.

[20] In 1906 Speedy was deployed on Coastguard duties at Harwich, and collided with a merchant ship in June that year.

[26] On the night of 25 August 1914, the German minelayer Nautilus, accompanied by the light cruiser Mainz and the torpedo-boats of the 3rd Half Flotilla, laid a minefield off the mouth of the Humber estuary, while Albatross laid another minefield off the River Tyne.

Speedy lowered boats to rescue the survivors of Lindsell's crew, but struck a mine herself, sinking an hour later.