In early 1898 the British Government let contracts for the construction of five 30-knot torpedo boat destroyers. The Lee was to be built by Doxford and Son, Sunderland; the Leven by the Fairfield Shipbuilding Company, Glasgow; the Orwell by Laird Brothers, Birkenhead; the Spiteful by Palmer's Shipbuilding Company, Jarrow; and the Stag by Thornycroft and Company, Chiswick.