Brazilian Minas Geraes-class
Argentinean Rivadavia-class
Chilean Almirante Latorre-class
An item reported that as due to the fact that Brazil was building new battleships (1) Argentine (2) decided to increase her small although excellent navy. The original intention was to built 3-15.000 ton battleships, 21 torpedo boats and 9 destroyers. Even before execution of this program decided was a new program made consisting of 2-20.000 tons battleships and an even larger number of torpedo boats and destroyers. The New York Herald suggested that it possible was that Argentine intended to sell her new battleships with profit following the Brazilian example. Chile (3) was in the meantime forced to expand also her navy to follow the naval arms race between the three major South American naval powers.
Notes
1. Only the Minas Geraes and São Paulo were realized based on a new design after the appearance on the scene of the HMS Dreadnought. The building of the three battleships on a now aged design was stopped. Displacement 18.976 tons and an original armament of 6x2-30,5cm/12” guns, 22-12cm/4,7“ guns and 8-,7cm 12 pd guns. The building of the third ship called Rio de Janeiro was again stopped and after redesigning she was first purchased by Turkey and finally purchased by the Royal British Navy when the First World War broke out and she was commissioned as the HMS Agincourt.
2. The Rivadavia-class consisting of the Rivadavia and the Moreno. Original armament 12-30,5cm/12” guns, 12-15,2cm/6” guns, 16-10,2c,m/4” guns and 2-53,3cm/21” torpedo tubes and a displacement of 27.900 (standard)-30.600 (full load) tons.
3. The Almirante Latorre-class consisting of the Almirante Latorre and the Almirante Cochrane were ordered to be built in England in 1911 and 1912 with a displacement of 25.401 (standard)-32.514 (full load) tons and a main armament of 10-35,6cm/14” guns. Both ships were purchased by the Royal British Navy. The Almirante Latorre became HMS Canada but in 1920 resold to Chile retaining her original name. Her sister ship became the British aircraft carrier HMS Eagle
