Originally ordered by the Portuguese government in 1930 as part of a new building programme. In conjunction with Yarrows, the Lisbon Naval Arsenal of Lisbon was chosen to construct two hulls while Yarrows would provide and install the destroyer's machinery. Named "Douro" and "Tejo", the two hulls constructed in Lisbon were sold to Colombia before completion in response to the Colombia–Peru War, in response to the Peruvian acquisition of two destroyers. Portugal order two further ships to replace them. "Douro" was renamed "Caldas" and "Tejo" was renamed "Antioquia".