Tsing Po differed from the other destroyers of her class in having a unique mixed-fuel propulsion system, with one coal-fired boiler and two oil-fired ones.

While she was on the building ways, the Kingdom of Italy purchased her in 1912 for service in the Italian Regia Marina ("Royal Navy") Renamed Ascaro, she was launched on 6 December 1912 and completed on 21 July 1913.

[1][3][4][5] As completed, Ascaro was powered by two sets of triple expansion steam engines fed by three Thornycroft water-tube boilers, producing an estimated 6,000 indicated horsepower (4,474 kW) and driving two propeller shafts.

[7] In October 1916 Ascaro, the destroyers Borea, Garibaldino, and Nembo and four torpedo boats provided protection and support to a landing force consisting of the armored cruiser Francesco Ferruccio and the steamers Ausonia, Bulgaria, Choising, and Polcevera sent to occupy Sarandë (known to the Italians as Santi Quaranta), in the Principality of Albania.

After disembarking an infantry battalion and a cavalry squadron, the steamers departed at 16:00 on 2 October for Vlorë, where they embarked more troops.