Part of the Diadem-class protected cruisers designed by Sir William White, preceded by the Powerful-class and succeeded by the Cressy-class. Laid down at the shipyard of Fairfield Shipbuilding&Engineering Company Limited, Goven, Scotland on 23 January 1896, launched on 21 October 1896, completed on 19 July 1898, refitted in 1909, used as stokers’ training ship in 1914, laid up in reserve in October 1915, used as stokers’ training ship in January 1918 and finally sold to Ward, Morecambe to be broken up on 9 May 1921. Building costs 582.662 pound sterling excluded armament and stores.
With a displacement of 11.000 tons and as dimensions 133-140,97 (over all) x 21 x 7,77 metres or 435-462.6 x 69 x 25.6 feet. The 2 shaft triple expansion engines supplied 16.500-18.000 hp allowing a speed of 20-20,5 knots. Her crew numbered 760 men. The armour consisted of 2-4.5” decks and the casemates protected by 6”. The armament consisted of 16x1-15,2cm/6” quick firing guns, 14x1-7,6cm/12pd quick firing guns, 3x1-4,7cm/3pd quick firing guns and 2045cm/18” torpedo tubes.
