Rivadavia - class battleship The " Rivadavia " class was a two - ship group of battleship s designed by the American Fore River Shipbuilding Company for the Argentine Navy ( " Armada de la República Argentina " ) . Named and after important figures in Argentine history , they were Argentina ' s counter to Brazil ' s two s . In 1904 , Brazil scrapped a previous naval building program in favor of an order that included three warships of the new ' dreadnought ' type , despite signs that such an action would spark a South American naval arms race . To counter this acquisition by a major rival , Argentina began seeking bids for at least two dreadnoughts in 1908 . Over the next two years , multiple shipbuilders from five countries vied for the contracts , complemented by efforts from their respective governments . Argentina was able to play this hyper - competitive environment to its own advantage by rejecting all of the initial proposals and calling for new ones that required the best aspects of each . They then repeated this process , despite complaints from shipbuilders that their trade secrets were being given away . The contracts were awarded to the lowest bidder , Fore River , in early 1910 . This move shocked the European bidders , but could largely be explained by the American steel trust ' s ability to produce steel at a much lower cost than any other country . During their construction , the Argentine battleships were frequently subject of rumors involving their sale to a foreign country , especially after the beginning of the First World War . Under diplomatic pressure not to sell , Argentina kept the two ships . Throughout their careers , " Rivadavia " and " Moreno " were based in Puerto Belgrano and served principally as training ships and diplomatic envoys . They were modernized in the United States in 1924 and 1925 and were inactive for much of the Second World War due to Argentina ' s neutrality . Struck from the navy lists on 1 February 1957 , " Rivadavia " was scrapped in Italy beginning in 1959 . " Moreno " was struck on 1 October 1956 and was towed to Japan in 1957 for scrapping in what was then the world ' s longest tow ( 96 days ) . Background . The " raison d ' être " for the " Rivadavia " class can be traced back to Argentine – Chilean territorial disputes over the boundary of Patagonia and control of the Beagle Channel going back to the 1840s . It nearly led to war in 1878 and kindled a naval arms race from 1887 to 1902 which was only settled via British mediation . As part of the three pacts which ended the dispute , restrictions were placed on the navies of both countries . The British Royal Navy bought two pre - dreadnought battleships that were being built for Chile , and Argentina sold its two " Rivadavia " - class armored cruiser s under construction in Italy to Japan . Meanwhile , beginning in the late 1880s , Brazil ' s navy fell into obsolescence after an 1889 revolution , which deposed Emperor Dom Pedro II , and a 1893 civil war . By the turn of the 20th century it was lagging behind the Chilean and Argentine navies in quality and total tonnage , despite Brazil having nearly three times the population of Argentina and almost five times the population of Chile . By 1904 , however , Brazil began to seriously consider upgrading its navy to compete with Argentina and Chile . Soaring demand for coffee and rubber brought the Brazilian economy an influx of revenue , which paid for a $ 31 . 25 million ( in 20 dollars , $ ) naval repair scheme , a substantial amount for the time period . The bill authorized 28 ships , including three battleships and three armored cruisers . It was not possible to lay down the battleships until 1906 , the same year the trend - setting was constructed . This ship prompted the Brazilians to cancel their battleship plans in favor of two dreadnought s . The ordering of these powerful ships — designed to carry the heaviest armament in the world at the time — shocked Argentina and Chile . Historian Robert Scheina comments that the dreadnoughts alone " outclassed the entire [ elderly ] Argentinian fleet . " Debates raged in Argentina over the wisdom of acquiring dreadnoughts to counter Brazil ' s . The National Autonomist Party cabinet was in favor , despite a probable cost of over $ 9 . 74 million ( in 20 dollars , $ ) , but a specific plan for two battleships and ten destroyers was not popular with the public . Alarmed , the American ambassador to Brazil sent a cablegram to his Department of State , warning them of the destabilizing effects that would occur if the situation devolved into a full naval arms race . Despite American entreaties to preclude the naval arms race , Brazil continued development on the ships . This , combined with renewed border disputes , particularly in the River Plate ( " Río de la Plata " , literally " Silver River " ) area , spurred Argentina to move forward with plans for their own battleships . Inflamed by newspaper editors , the public was now fully supportive of a naval building program . While an early plan called for $ 35 million to be invested — $ 7 million from foreign loans — a $ 55 million plan was adopted in August 1908 . ( In 20 dollars , these numbers are ( respectively ) $ , $ , $ ) Hoping to end the arms race , Argentina made an offer to purchase one of the two Brazilian ships , but the refusal prompted the dispatch of an Argentine naval commission to Europe to acquire dreadnoughts . Bidding . Proposals from shipbuilders for two dreadnoughts ( along with a possible third , to match Brazil should a third ship be ordered ) and twelve destroyers were solicited in 1908 by open tender . In order to ensure that the designs reflected the most modern practices , the requirements were intentionally vague . Fifteen shipyards from the United States , Great Britain , Germany , France , and Italy began bidding on the battleships . Diplomatic pressure to give the contracts was brought to bear from all these countries , especially the first three . Even with this assistance , industry leaders in the United States believed that they had no chance in the bidding without active cooperation from their government , as Europe was the traditional arms supplier to Argentina ( and to all of South America ) . Even when this was given , including the removal of import tariffs on hides from Argentina , promises for additional concessions if American shipbuilders were selected , and an offer to include the most technologically advanced fire - control system and torpedo tube s available on the Argentine battleships , the United States was widely viewed as a non - contender . Historian Seward W . Livermore remarked : The president of the Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company believed that the United States would not receive contracts due to what he saw as a large amount of European meddling in Argentina : The United States , however , found an ally in Buenos Aires ' main daily newspaper , " La Prensa " . The owner , editor , and naval editor were all in favor of acquiring American - designed dreadnoughts . In addition , the paper found evidence of British wrongdoing in a related naval contract . Under public pressure , the naval commission was forced to reconsider its original list , which had placed Italy first and Britain second . It now featured the United States first , Britain second , and Italy last . In a surprise move , the Argentine naval commission then threw out all of the opening tenders and called for another round of bidding ; they simultaneously updated the specifications to include what were judged to be the best aspects of all the plans . The competitors were given three weeks to come up with new designs and cost estimates . After diplomatic protests , this was modified slightly ; the original bids were kept , but alterations to attempt to conform to the new desired characteristics were allowed . The commission found that the Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company bid was lowest on one battleship , and the Fore River Shipbuilding Company was lowest on the other . Despite a British attempt to allow the Armstrong Whitworth - Vickers team to lower their price by $ 570 , 000 , prompt American diplomacy granting various assurances regarding recent events between the United States and Brazil , the upcoming 1910 Pan - American Conference , and a guarantee of American participation in the Argentine centennial celebrations secured the battleship contracts for Fore River on 21 January 1910 . The maximum price Fore River tendered , $ 10 . 7 million ( in 20 dollars , $ ) , underbid the British by more than $ 973 , 000 . Italy ' s tender was just $ 48 , 600 more , but their ship ' s displacement was smaller , the belt armor was thinner , and the top speed was slightly slower . " Rivadavia " was built by Fore River at its shipyard in Massachusetts ; as called for in the final contract , " Moreno " was subcontracted out to the New York Shipbuilding Corporation of New Jersey . The steel for the ships was largely supplied by the Bethlehem Steel Company of Pennsylvania , which , due to their ability to produce steel at a lower price than other nations , was an integral cost - saving measure . The Secretary of the Argentine Naval Commission , the body which chose the final design , said the reason the American tender was lower than that of the English was that " steel for construction work and armor - plating is a great deal cheaper in the United States than in England . Wages are higher there , but the contractors . . . are able to obtain it more cheaply owing to the manipulations of the Steel Trust . " A third dreadnought , provided for in the contract , was strongly supported by Argentina and by U . S . diplomats during 1910 , while the " Minas Geraes " class was still under construction . " La Prensa " and one of its rivals , " La Argentina " , heavily advocated a third ship ; the latter even started a petition to raise money for a new battleship . An American diplomat wrote back to the United States that " this newspaper rivalry promises the early conclusion of a movement which means a third battleship whether by public subscription or by Government funds . " However , Brazil ' s 21 – 26 November " Revolta da Chibata " ( " Revolt of the Whip " ) , in which the three most powerful ships in the fleet ( the battleships , , and the cruiser ) along with an older coast defense ship ( " Deodoro " ) violently rebelled , crushed the previous sentiment for a new battleship . About two years later in October 1912 , a third dreadnought was authorized by Argentina in case Brazil ' s " Rio de Janeiro " was completed and delivered . The ship was never named or built , as " Rio de Janeiro " was sold to the Ottoman Empire due to monetary issues , and a later planned Brazilian ship ( ) was canceled due to the beginning of the First World War . International reaction . The choice of Fore River came as a complete surprise to the European bidders . Britain ' s reaction in particular was scathing : John H . Biles , a naval architect , decried the bidding process as " unethical " and remarked : Various British newspapers also cried foul . The " Evening Standard " believed that as " Argentina ' s greatest creditor and greatest client " , Britain ought to have been awarded the two ships . " The Times " took a different track , accusing American shipbuilders of slashing prices to an obscene degree , and accusing the government of exerting undue diplomatic pressure to obtain the contracts . New Zealand ' s " Evening Post " noted that the United States had previously built major warships for other countries , including Russia ' s and Britain ' s ally Japan , and commented , " The severity of the blow to England rests in . . . the amount of English capital in [ Argentina ] " , possibly echoing the " Evening Standard " s argument . They referred to a " startling " fact printed by the " Daily Mail " : the steel used for the armor of the American design was obtained for a much lower price . With Bethlehem ' s ability to produce it at £8 less per ton than British foundries , a cost savings of more than 10 % in steel over the British ship could be realized . Germany asserted that the United States was given the opportunity to view the other nations ' tenders and lower their price accordingly . Germany also alleged that the United States had secured the deal by pledging to come to Argentina ' s defense should they become embroiled in a military conflict . " The New York Times " noted that with Argentina ' s and Brazil ' s dreadnought orders , countries in North and South America were building the five biggest capital ships in the world ( Brazil ' s " Rio de Janeiro " , Argentina ' s " Rivadavia " and " Moreno " , and the United States ' and ) in addition to seven of the ten largest ( including the United States ' and ) . Shortly after " Rivadavia " had completed her trials , the U . S . Navy ' s Board of Inspection and Survey remarked that she " handle [ d ] remarkably well . . . with comparatively minor modifications the vessel would practically meet the requirements of our own vessels . " The Board of Inspection was less pleased with the wing turrets , stating that " while theoretically the " Rivadavia " has an ahead and astern fire of six guns , this is not so in reality , as it is almost certain that the blast from the waist turrets would dish in the smokepipes and damage the uptakes . " Possible sale . After Brazil sold " Rio de Janeiro " to the Ottoman Empire , Argentina began to actively seek a buyer for their two ships so the profits could be invested in education . In the tension that preceded the First World War , there were many suitors . The United States , however , abhorred the idea of the their latest technological advances falling into the hands of a possible future combat opponent . While the contract allowed the United States Navy an option to acquire the ships if a deal was reached with a third nation , the navy did not want the ships ; with the rapid advances in dreadnought technology , such as the " all or nothing " armor arrangement , even new ships like " Rivadavia " and " Moreno " were seen as outmoded . Three bills directing that the battleships be sold were introduced into the Argentine National Congress in the summer of 1914 , but all were defeated . Still , soon after the beginning of the First World War , the German ambassador to Argentina alleged to the U . S . State Department that Britain ' s Royal Navy was going to take over the ships as soon as the ships reached the River Plate , and the British put diplomatic pressure on the United States to try to ensure the ships were not sold to any other country ( as this new country could in turn sell them to Germany ) . Italy , the Ottomans , and Greece were all reportedly interested in buying both ships , the latter as a counter to the Ottoman purchase of " Rio de Janeiro " . The United States , worried that its neutrality would not be respected and its technology would be released for study to a foreign country , diplomatically pressured Argentina to keep the ships , which it eventually did . Design influences . The " Rivadavia " design was very similar to a 1906 proposal from Fore River for an American dreadnought class . This ship would have mounted a main battery of fourteen guns in dual turrets ( two superfiring fore , two wing , and three non - superfiring aft ) , a secondary battery of twenty 4 - inch ( 102 mm ) guns and four torpedo tube s on a hull of that would be capable of . Foreign practices also bore a large influence on the design ; most were acquired through the unique design process of rejecting multiple bids and calling for the best aspects of each . For example , the superfiring arrangement of the main battery was an American innovation , while the wing turrets were similar to British designs of the time . The secondary battery of 6 - inch ( 152 mm ) guns and the three - shaft system were influenced by German design practices , while the engine and boiler layout was reminiscent of the Italian battleship . Service histories . was named after Bernardino Rivadavia , the first president of Argentina , and was built by Fore River Shipyard . She was laid down on 25 May 1910 , launched on 26 August 1911 , and completed in December 1914 . was named after Mariano Moreno , a member of the first Argentine government in May 1810 , and was built by New York Shipbuilding Corporation . She was laid down on 10 July 1910 , launched on 23 September 1911 , and completed in February 1915 . Both ships had engine trouble soon after completion : " Rivadavia " s completion was delayed due to a damaged turbine , while " Moreno " had an entire turbine fail while on her trials . The ships finally arrived in Argentina in February and May 1915 , respectively . In the early 1920s , both ships spent time in the reserve fleet due to an economic depression , but enough money was available by 1924 to have the dreadnoughts modernized in the United States . Both refits included a conversion from coal to fuel oil , a new fire - control system , and other minor improvements . In the 1930s they participated in training exercises and diplomatic cruises . Notable voyages included " Moreno " s visit to Brazil with Argentine president Agustín Pedro Justo aboard in 1933 and a later visit in 1934 to mark the centennial of Brazilian independence ; " Rivadavia " s and " Moreno " s trip to Europe in 1937 , where the two ships visited Brest ( France ) , Wilhelmshaven , Bremen , and Hamburg ( Germany ) between them in addition to " Moreno " s participation in the British Spithead Naval Review ; and a 1939 visit by both battleships to Brazil with naval cadets embarked — destroyers were sent from Argentina to escort them home , as the Second World War had broken out during their stay . During the war , both ships were mainly inactive due to Argentine neutrality . " Rivadavia " undertook a last diplomatic cruise to Trinidad , Venezuela , and Colombia in 1946 , but both ships were immobile by 1948 . " Moreno " was stricken from the naval register on 1 October 1956 and was brought to Japan in 1957 for scrapping in a then - world - record 96 - day tow . " Rivadavia " was stricken on 1 February 1957 and scrapped in Italy beginning in 1959 . The money gained from selling the two dreadnoughts along with an older armored cruiser , , was used to buy an aircraft carrier from the United Kingdom , " Independencia " ( ex - " Warrior " ) . Specifications . The two ships of the " Rivadavia " class were overall and between perpendiculars . They had a beam of , a normal draft of , and displaced normally and at full load . The ships were staffed by 130 officers and about 1000 enlisted men . For armament , the " Rivadavia " class was equipped with a main battery of twelve 12 - inch / 50 caliber guns , a secondary battery of twelve 6 - inch ( 155 mm ) / 50 and twelve 4 - inch ( 102 mm ) / 50 QF , and two 21 - inch ( 533 mm ) torpedo tube s . The 12 " / 50 was a Bethlehem development . It was most likely based on the weapon used in the United States ' , the 12 " / 50 caliber Mark 7 gun . The twelve guns were mounted in six dual turrets . Four turrets were superfiring fore and aft , while the other two were located " en echelon " in wing turret s . The latter weapons could , in theory , fire on a range on their respective sides of the hull and on the other , but in reality this was not possible , as the blast damage from the weapons would damage the ship . A more reasonable estimate would be on their sides . The 6 - inch secondary armament was placed in casemate s , with six on either side of the ship . For protection , they were provided with 6 inches of armor . The 4 - inch weaponry , intended for use against marauding destroyer s , was mounted unarmored in various places around the ship , including the main deck , superstructure , and far up near the bow . As originally built , there were sixteen 4 - inch guns , but four of those were replaced with four 3 - inch AA guns and four 3 - pounders during the 1924 - 1926 modernization . The torpedo tubes were located underneath the waterline and were loaded in a dedicated compartment . Full ammunition loads were 1 , 440 rounds for the 12 - inch guns ( 120 per gun ) , 3 , 600 rounds for the 6 - inch ( 300 ) , 5 , 600 rounds for the 4 - inch ( 350 ) , and 16 torpedoes manufactured by Whitehead . To assist the main battery with targeting during a battle , the two ships were equipped with two Barr & Stroud rangefinder s that were located above the conning tower s . " Rivadavia " and " Moreno " used Brown – Curtis geared steam turbines , powered by 18 Babcock & Wilcox boilers and connected to three propellers . With a total output of about , the ships were designed to travel at a maximum speed of and may have been capable of slightly more . At speeds of , their endurance ranged from , respectively . Their fuel was a coal – oil mix and the ships carried of the former and of the latter . Typical of American - designed dreadnoughts at the time , the " Rivadavia " class included substantial armor protection . A belt was fitted amidships , covering above and below the designed waterline , gradually decreasing towards the bow and stern to and , respectively . The gun turrets received heavy armor , including on the front , on the sides , on the back , and on the top . Deck armor consisted of medium steel and nickel steel .