Swordfish was ordered from Scotts Shipbuilding and Engineering Company on 18 August 1913 although she was not laid down until 28 February 1914. The start of the First World War six months later greatly hindered her completion, and she was not launched until 18 March 1916.
Swordfish was initially purchased from Scotts Shipbuilding and Engineering Company on August 18, 1913, but the actual construction process didn't start until February 28, 1914. The war that broke out six months later severely impacted her completion schedule, and she wasn't launched until March 18, 1916.