 The design for these ships was actually ready in 1905 or 1906 . Two variants were offered — a 10 @-@ gun version on 20 @,@ 500 long tons ( 20 @,@ 829 t ) and a 12 @-@ gun alternative on 24 @,@ 000 long tons ( 24 @,@ 385 t ) . The larger ship was rejected as too expensive for the firepower it offered , even after its displacement was reduced to 22 @,@ 000 long tons ( 22 @,@ 353 t ) tons . Also , because C & R was required to consider private designs , construction on the Delawares did not commence until 1907 . None of the private designs was considered remotely satisfactory by the Navy . However , Fore River later developed its version into the battleship Rivadavia , which was built for the Argentine navy . While the C & R design was considered superior , it still came under criticism , particularly for the poor placement of and lack of protection for the secondary armament . 
