British torpedo gunboat HMS Speedwell performed well during trials according to the Dutch magazine Marineblad dated 1897-1898 No. 7

An item referred to the magazine le Yacht reporting that the British torpedo ship Speedwell (1) of 735 tons, a horsepower of 3.700 hp and a speed of 20 miles recently was fitted out with water tube boilers. She just executed her natural draft trials and with 9,1 kilo boiler pressure and 226 rpm was a power of 2,474 ihp and a speed of 16,8 miles (0,25 miles faster as in the past) achieved. It seemed to be easy to achieve with forced draft a horsepower of 3.500 ihp and a speed of 20 miles. The vessels of the similar type Seagull (2) and Spanker (3) were already fitted out with new water tube boilers. The Salamander (4) was now under repair and would also receive new boilers and the Sheldrake (5) and Skipjack (6) were planned.

Notes
1. Launched at Devonport Dock Yard on 15 March 1889 and fold to Cornish Salvage Company, Ilfracombe on 20 March 1920.
2. Torpedo gunboat, launched at Chatham Dock Yard on 31 May 1889 and sunk during a collision on 30 September 1918.
3. Torpedo gunboat, launched at Devonport Dock Yard on 27 February 1889 and sold to Cornish salvage Company, Ilfracombe on 20 March 1920.
4. Torpedo gunboat, launched at Chatham Dock Uard on 31 May 1889 and sold on 15 December 1946.
5. Torpedo gunboat, launched at Chatham Dock Yard on 30 March 1889 and sold to S. Bkg. Company on 9 July 1907.
6. Torpedo gunboat, launched at Chatham Dock Yard on 30 April 1889 and sold to Hammond Lane Foundry Company on 23 April 1920.