These ships, known as Große Torpedoboote or Hochsee Torpedoboote (large torpedo boats or high-seas torpedo boats) were large enough to carry the extra crew needed to act as flotilla leaders, eliminating the need to build separate Division boats, but, although they were of similar size to contemporary foreign torpedo-boat destroyers, they were still principally intended for torpedo attack, and only carried a light gun armament.

The ship's machinery was rated at 5,900 PS (5,800 ihp; 4,300 kW) giving a design speed of 26.5 knots (30.5 mph; 49.1 km/h).

[4] She reached a speed of 26.4 knots (30.4 mph; 48.9 km/h) during sea trials in November 1899, fully equipped and carrying 65 tons of coal.

Three single 45 cm torpedo tubes were fitted, with one in the gap between the ship's forecastle and the bridge, and two aft.

[9] At the outbreak of the First World War, S90 was one of two torpedo boats attached to the German East Asiatic Squadron, with the main base at Qingdao in China.

On 17 October 1914, S90 sortied from Qingdao and torpedoed the Japanese cruiser Takachiho before scuttling herself by intentionally running herself aground.