"Saida" was laid down at the Cantiere Navale Triestino shipyard in Monfalcone on 9 September 1911. Her completed hull was launched on 26 October 1912, and construction, including fitting-out, was completed by 1 August 1914, four days after Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. Following the outbreak of World War I, "Saida" was assigned as the flotilla leader for the First Torpedo Flotilla, which included the six s, six s, ten torpedo boats, and a depot ship. Following the Italian declaration of war against Austria-Hungary in May 1915, most of the Austro-Hungarian fleet sortied in a surprise attack on various points on the Italian coast. During the operation, "Saida", her sister , the cruisers and , and nine destroyers provided a screen against a possible Italian counterattack, which did not materialize.