HMS Wizard was a Conflict-class destroyer constructed by J. Samuel White at their Cowes shipyard, launched on 26 February 1895. As one of the "27-knotter" torpedo boat destroyers ordered under the 1893–1894 naval programme, Wizard was designed to achieve a trial speed of 27 knots, with a length overall of approximately 205 feet 6 inches and a beam of about 20 feet. She displaced around 320 long tons light and up to 360 long tons at full load. Her propulsion system consisted of three White-designed water-tube boilers feeding two four-cylinder triple-expansion steam engines rated at 4,500 indicated horsepower, powering three inward-rotating propellers—an unusual feature believed to be unique among early destroyers, though it adversely affected her handling. In terms of armament, Wizard was initially equipped with a single QF 12-pounder gun on her conning tower platform, along with three 6-pounder guns and two 18-inch torpedo tubes, reflecting her dual role as a torpedo boat destroyer. Her construction featured a "turtleback" forecastle, a characteristic of early destroyers. In 1910, she was reconstructed to have only two funnels, and she was notably the only destroyer fitted with inward-rotating screws. Throughout her service, Wizard operated primarily as a tender to shore establishments, notably HMS Excellent near Portsmouth. She experienced several incidents, including a collision with a tug in 1901 and with the German liner Kronprinz Wilhelm in 1902, both requiring repairs. In 1904–1905, she underwent a refit, and in 1908, a survey confirmed her condition was suitable for further service, leading to a thorough refit completed in 1909. She was reclassified as part of the A class in 1913, reflecting her speed and appearance characteristics. During World War I, Wizard served within the Portsmouth Local Defence Flotilla, maintaining a relatively quiet operational record. She remained in service until being listed for sale in January 1920 and was subsequently sold for scrapping in May 1920. Her operational history and modifications exemplify the early evolution of naval destroyers in the Royal Navy.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.