[3] They were similar to the preceding Yarrow M class but distinguished by their greater tonnage, narrower beam and sloping sterns.

Power was provided by three Yarrow boilers feeding Parsons direct-drive steam turbines rated at 27,000 shaft horsepower (20,000 kW).

[11] Tyrant was laid down by Yarrow at their shipyard in Scotstoun, Glasgow, in March 1916, launched on 19 May 1917 and completed in July that year.

[12] deployed as part of the Grand Fleet, joining the Eleventh Destroyer Flotilla based a Scapa Flow.

[15] After the Armistice of 11 November 1918 that ended the war, the Royal Navy returned to a peacetime level of strength and both the number of ships and personnel were culled to save money.

[18] On 16 July 1935, Tyrant was one of over 100 ships of the Royal Navy in a fleet review to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of George V.[19] On 1 April the following year, the destroyer was allocated as a tender to Saladin.

[20] However, as newer, larger and more powerful vessels were introduced into the Royal Navy, older destroyers were retired.