[3] The Admiralty did not specify a standard design for destroyers, laying down broad requirements, including a trial speed of 27 knots (31 mph; 50 km/h), a "turtleback"[a] forecastle and specified armament, which was to vary depending on whether the ship was to be used in the torpedo boat or gunboat role.

[9] Uniquely for early destroyers, Wizard's propellers rotated inwards,[9][10] which was found to give the ship particularly poor handling.

[14] Lieutenant Henry Wilcox Osborn was appointed in command on 11 June 1902,[15] and she took part in the fleet review held at Spithead on 16 August 1902 for the coronation of King Edward VII.

[16] Lieutenant Robert Wilberforce Myburgh was appointed in command on 1 October 1902, but only two weeks later she was damaged in a collision with German liner Kronprinz Wilhelm, taking place in Southampton water.

[17] Lieutenant Myburgh and the crew were temporarily posted to HMS Star from 12 October while the ship went in for repairs,[18] but were back aboard Wizard the following month when she was recommissioned on 8 November for service in the Portsmouth instructional flotilla.

[24] On 3 September 1910, Wizard was at anchor near the Sunk Lightvessel in the Thames Estuary when she was rammed by a torpedo boat, with her hull holed near the engine room.

[26][27][28] In February 1913, Wizard was not part of an active flotilla, but was attached as a tender to the stone frigate (or shore establishment) HMS Excellent the gunnery school at Portsmouth, with a nucleus crew,[29] although she was listed as in full commission by May 1913.