They were intended to complement and eventually replace the Argentine Bathurst-class ships purchased from Germany after World War I.

However, these ships had poor stability, which eventually led to the loss of Fournier in 1949.

They were powered by 2-cycle MAN diesel engines turning two shafts rated at 2,000 brake horsepower (1,500 kW).

They also carried two 7.65 mm (0.301 in) machine guns and were initially equipped with two depth charges.

[6] She was later determined to have sunk on or around 4 October after striking a rock in the Magellan Straits, about 60 nautical miles (110 km) south of Punta Arenas.