Following the success of the Russian torpedo boat destroyer Sokol Messrs. Yarrow and Company, Poplar, received orders for four somewhat larger vessels based on the Sokol from the Argentinean Government. By March 1896 these vessels were in an advanced state of construction at Yarrow's yard at Poplar. Following the precedent set by the Japanese Government these vessels had their machinery spaces protected by armour plate. All these vessels were fitted with Yarrow water-tube boilers.