She was used for local patrol duties in the First World War and was sunk by a German mine in the North Sea on 10 June 1915.

The Cricket-class was intended as a smaller and cheaper supplement to the large, fast but expensive Tribal-class, particularly in coastal waters such as the English Channel.

[6] Both of Yarrow's two torpedo-boats of the 1905–1906 programme, Mayfly and Moth were laid down at their Poplar, London shipyard on 23 November 1905.

[7] In early 1911 TB 12, previously employed at the Dartmouth Naval College, joined the Nore Flotilla.

At 03:30 on 10 June TB 12 was about 2 miles north east of the Sunk Light Vessel when an explosion wrecked the fore part of the ship.