Commissioned into service in the Italian Regia Marina (Royal Navy) in 1902, she served in the Italo-Turkish War, during which she was wrecked in 1911.

Freccia and her five sister ships formed the first class of destroyers built for the Regia Marina,[2] their only predecessor, Fulmine, having been a one-off.

Designed by the German Schichau-Werke shipyard, they were seaworthy, robust, fast, and reliable,[3] although they were afflicted by serious problems with seakeeping.

At the outbreak of war, Freccia was part of the 2nd Squadron′s 1st Division, which also included her sister ships Euro, Lampo, and Ostro.

Her entire crew survived, and initially the ship was considered to be in good condition and the Italians hoped to refloat her quickly.