Built by John Brown on Clydebank as a three funnel 30-knot destroyer on speculation she was purchased by the Royal Navy under the 1899 – 1900 Naval Estimates.

On 31 March 1900, as part of the 1899–1900 construction programme for the Royal Navy, the British Admiralty purchased three destroyers that were being built by the Clydebank shipbuilder John Brown and Company as speculative builds, yard numbers 334, 335 and 336 (to become Thorn, Tiger and Vigilant respectively).

[9] On 2 April 1908 Tiger took part in a Home Fleet exercise in the English Channel 18 miles south of the Isle of Wight.

Part of the exercise was to test fleet defence against a torpedo boat night attack, with all ships running without lights.

The stern remained afloat long enough for 22 members of her crew to be rescued, but 36 men, including Tiger's captain, Lieutenant W.E.