HMS Stour was a River-class destroyer

River class destroyer

The River-class destroyer was a heterogeneous class of torpedo boat destroyer built to assorted builders' designs for the Royal Navy at the turn of the 20th century, which saw extensive service in World War I...

 and the only ship of the Royal Navy

Royal Navy

The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...

 ever to bear the name.

Construction

Built on speculation at Birkenhead by Cammell Laird and Company, she was launched on 3 June 1905, but was not purchased for the Royal Navy

Royal Navy

The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...

until 1909. Displacing 570 tons, she was armed with four 12 pounder guns.

Service

She served in British home waters during World War I. For a time she also served as a tender to the cruiser . She was sold for scrap in August 1919.