HMS Earnest (1896)

HMS Earnest was a B-class torpedo boat destroyer of the British Royal Navy, one of six to be built from the line. She was completed by Laird, Son & Company, Birkenhead, in 1896, after 609 days of construction. She was part of the new 30-knotters that were requested by the Admiralty, amid fears of foreign boats and their speeds the requirements were increased from 27 knots.

She served with the Mediterranean Squadron, and was in August 1901 recommissioned at Malta as tender to the battleship HMS Caesar.