Designed by the Rear Admiral George Eliot and the Controller's Department,[1] Waterwitch was a half-sister to Vixen and Viper, and all three were built mostly as experimental vessels.

While Viper and Vixen were twin screw vessels, Waterwitch had a water-pump propulsion system.

[1] Waterwitch's unique propulsion system was essentially a vast centrifugal steam-powered pump which drew water from sluices in the centre of the vessel and ejected it in jets from adjustable nozzles.

In the largest pump I have made, 800 indicated horsepower discharged 350 tons of water a minute, and propelled the vessel faster than her sister ships with twin screws.

After an experience of sixty years of hydraulic propulsion, I am still of opinion that it is the means by which greater safety can be obtained at sea, and by which the highest speeds can be obtained with safety and economyWaterwitch was ordered from the Thames Ironworks and Shipbuilding Company on 29 October 1864[1] and laid down the same year.

[1] Vixen, Viper and Waterwitch conducted comparative trials at Stokes Bay in the Solent the late 1860s.

[7][3] Placed on the non-effective list long before disposal, she was sold to Castle for breaking at Charlton on 26 April 1890.