In April 1896, the Chilean government ordered an armoured cruiser, to be called O'Higgins, from Armstrong, Whitworth & Co to the design of Sir Philip Watts at a cost of £700,000.

[1][5] O'Higgins main armament consisted of four 8-inch (203 mm) 40 calibre guns in single turrets, with two on the ship's centreline fore and aft and two port and starboard in line with the forward funnel.

[1] Up to 1,253 long tons (1,273 t) of coal could be carried, giving a range of 4,580 nautical miles (8,480 km; 5,270 mi) at 8 knots (15 km/h; 9.2 mph).

[2] While O'Higgins was nearing completion at Elswick in the winter of 1897, tensions were growing between Spain and the United States of America over the ongoing rebellion in Cuba.

Rumours circulated that Spain was trying to strengthen its navy in case of war with the United States by purchasing warships from other countries.