[1] All ten ships were ordered under the 1907 Naval Programme and exceeded the design speed during sea trials, the best being Parana.

The class proved very maneuverable with a turning circle of 375 yards at full speed.

With a capacity of 140 tons of coal their range was 3,700 nautical miles (6,900 km; 4,300 mi) at 14 knots (26 km/h; 16 mph).

The ships were divided into ten watertight compartments by bulkheads from the outer bottom plating to the upper deck.

[1] Ten ships were ordered under the 1907 Naval Program intended to modernize the navy; all built by Yarrow.