The official trial of a new type of second-class torpedo boat (length 60 feet, beam 8 feet 6 inches; trial speed 17.58 knots) built by Yarrow and Co. of Poplar, for the Russian Government took place in September 1888. This type of second-class torpedo boat was intended to serve as a tender to a large warship, or for harbour or coastal defence. The changed length to beam proportions increased the seaworthiness of these vessels compared with that of the older second-class torpedo boats.