The Salmon class were two destroyers built by Earle's to an Admiralty specification for service with the Royal Navy. The specification called for a torpedo boat destroyer capable of 27 knots; the builders were largely free to design as necessary. A total of 42 ships would be provided by various shipbuilders. In May 1912 they were sold for breaking up. In 1913 all surviving similar vessels built to the same requirement were reclassified as the A class torpedo boat destroyers