"Chicago" was ordered as part of the "ABCD" ships, the others being the cruisers and and the dispatch vessel . These were the first steel-hulled ships of the "New Navy". All were ordered from the same shipyard, Delaware River Iron Ship Building and Engine Works of Chester, Pennsylvania. However, when Secretary of the Navy William C. Whitney initially refused to accept "Dolphin", claiming her design was defective, the Roach yard went bankrupt and "Chicago"s completion was delayed about three years while Roach reorganized as the Delaware River Iron Ship Building and Engine Works. Like the other "ABCD" ships, "Chicago" was built with a sail rig to increase cruising range.