The Rivendell class ships brought the Zealandian Navy back in line with the rest of the world after the slightly abnormal Vinyamar class. The Royal Navy was in the throes of changing gun size from 12" to 13.5", the Zealandians kept to the 14" installed on the Vinyamar but increased the caliber from 40 to 45, and the elevation from 20 to 25 degrees to increase the range to 28,000 yards. The removal of the 7.5" turreted secondaries in favour of the 6" casemates was a bit of a backward step but in line with what other navies were doing. Speed was kept to the 21 knots of the earlier Vinyamar class so that the ships could act together as 'fleet' units.
1935 and the two ships still on the books as serviceable units, but in actuality they had been reduced to training ships with little sea time. Both ships were surveyed to see if they could be renovated to last another ten years. Sadly however it was found that the engines/propulsion system needed a complete new set being fitted. The ships had lead a hard life and were of little further value except in the roles they were already fulfilling. Four of the 14" turrets were removed and fitted to new ships. 1938 both ships were stricken from the fleet list, but were not scrapped until 1946.
