"florida" was ordered on 4 may 1898, and awarded to the crescent shipyard, elizabethport, new jersey, on 11 october 1898. she was laid down 23 january 1899 and launched 30 november 1901 by lewis nixon and arthur leopold busch, a marine engineer who worked at the crescent shipyard; sponsored by miss s. wood; and commissioned 18 june 1903, with commander john charles frémont jr., in command. the total cost for the hull, machinery, armor and armament was $1,508,881.84.