Syren ran aground during manoeuvres off Ireland in 1905 and was badly damaged, requiring her bow to be reconstructed.

During the First World War she served as part of the Dover Patrol and helped rescue the crew of the civilian steamship Harpalion which had been torpedoed.

[5] Armament was a single QF 12 pounder 12 cwt (3 in-calibre or 76 mm) gun on a platform on the ship's conning tower (in practice the platform was also used as the ship's bridge), backed up by five 6-pounder guns, and two 18 inch (450 mm) torpedo tubes.

[9] She was quickly repaired at Devonport, re-joined the flotilla in mid-June,[10] and took part in the fleet review held at Spithead on 16 August 1902 for the coronation of King Edward VII.

[11] In September 1902 she ran a series of trials to test Reed′s automatic lubricator, with the Commander-in-Chief at Portsmouth, Admiral Sir Charles Frederick Hotham on board.

[13] Whilst under the command of Sidney Olivier, Syren ran aground at Berehaven, Ireland during naval manoeuvres on 1 May 1905.

[14] On 30 August 1912 the Admiralty directed all destroyers were to be grouped into classes designated by letters based on contract speed and appearance.

[24] On 28 October 1914, Syren was on anti-submarine patrol off Westende in Belgium with Falcon when the two ships came under fire from the shore.