Locust was laid down at Laird's Birkenhead shipyard as Yard number 623 on 20 April 1894 and was launched on 5 December 1896, when she was named by Miss Busk.
Locust started its construction at Laird's Birkenhead shipyard in April 1894 under Yard number 623 and was launched with a name change on December 5, 1896, when it was named by Miss Busk.