Three Sunfish-class destroyers served with 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...

. , and were all built by the Hebburn-on-Tyne shipyard of Hawthorn Leslie. Ordered under the 1893-94 Programme, the contract was placed on 7 February 1894. All three "turtle-back" destroyers were laid down in 1894, launched in 1895 and completed in 1896. Powered by Yarrow boilers, the ships produced 4,000 H.P. and could make 27 knots. They were armed with one twelve pounder gun

QF 12 pounder 12 cwt naval gun

The QF 12 pounder 12 cwt gun was a common calibre naval gun introduced in 1894 and used until the middle of the 20th century. It was produced by Armstrong Whitworth, Elswick and used on Royal Navy warships, and exported to allied countries...

and two torpedo tubes and carried a complement of 53 officers and men.

In 1912 all three, like the other surviving 27-knotter destroyers, were re-classed as "A" Class destroyers. They served in Home waters throughout World War One, and all three were sold for breaking up in 1920.

They were also sometimes referred to as Opossum-class destroyers.