While capital ship engagements were scarce in World War I, destroyer units were almost continually engaged in raiding and patrol actions. The first shot of the war at sea was fired on 5 August 1914 by a destroyer of the 2nd Flotilla, Lance, in an engagement with the German auxiliary minelayer Königin Luise. The first British naval casualty was Amphion, the light cruiser leading the 3rd Flotilla, which ran into a mine laid by Königin Luise.
Destroyers were involved in the skirmishes that prompted the Battle of Heligoland Bight, and filled a range of roles in the Battle of Gallipoli, acting as troop’s transports and fire support vessels, as well as their fleet-screening role. Over 80 British destroyers and 60 German torpedo-boats took part in the Battle of Jutland, which involved pitched small-boat actions between the main fleets, and several foolhardy attacks by unsupported destroyers on capital ships. Jutland also concluded with a messy night action between the German High Seas Fleet and part of the British destroyer screen.
List of Destroyer in World War I and Before:| Destroyer Battleship | Picture | Specifications | Country | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scott Class - Admiralty type | UK | 1918 | ||
| Arabe class | France | 1917 | ||
| Wickes class destroyer | US | 1917 | ||
| Caldwell class destroyer | US | 1917 | ||
| Sampson class destroyer | US | 1916 | ||
| Tucker class destroyer | US | 1916 | ||
| Enseigne Roux class | France | 1915 | ||
| O'Brien class destroyer | US | 1915 | ||
| Adventurier class | France | 1914 | ||
| Cassin class destroyer | US | 1913 | ||
| Bisson class | France | 1912 | ||
| Bouclier class | France | 1911 | ||
| Roofdier class destroyer | Netherlands | 1911 | ||
| Paulding class destroyer | US | 1910 | ||
| Chasseur class | France | 1909 | ||
| Smith class destroyer | US | 1909 | ||
| Spahi | France | 1908 | ||
| Voltigeur class | France | 1908 | ||
| Draug class destroyer | Norway | 1908 | ||
| Branlebas class | France | 1907 | ||
| G132 class torpedo boat | Germany | 1906 | ||
| Claymore class | France | 1905 | ||
| Arquebuse class | France | 1902 | ||
| Bainbridge class destroyer | US | 1902 | ||
| Rochefortais class | France | 1900 | ||
| Durandal class | France | 1899 | ||
| Framee Class | France | 1899 | ||
| Truxtun class destroyer | US | 1898 | ||
| Spanish warship Destructor | Spain | 1886 |
