The concept of the modern destroyer evolved from the torpedo gunboats of the mid to late Victorian navy and one of the earliest classes were the 19 knot "Sharpshooters" of the 1880's. Thirteen were ordered and the nameship, Sharpshooter herself, was built at Devonport, launched on 30 November 1888 and completed for sea the following August. Rapidly outdated but remaining in the fleet until 1904 when she was renamed Northampton and regulated to instructional duties, she was sold for breaking in 1922.