An item referred to the magazine Le Yacht reporting that the new squadron colliers Erie (1) and Ontario (2) were to have the a displacement of 12.500 ton with as dimensions 142 x 18,3 x 7,9 metres. Coal cargo capacity was 5.500 (standard)-7.000 (maximum) tons. The two vertical triple expansion engines and 6 water tube boilers supplied 7.500 ih[ allowing a speed of 16 miles. Both colliers were to be armed with 4-7,6cm guns. Their crew was to number 232 men (included 19 officers).
Notes
1. Building approved on 17 April 1904, but already renamed Vestal in October 1905, laid down at the New York Navy Yard, Brooklyn, USA on 25 March 1906, launched on 19 May 1908. Commissioned 4 October 1909, decommissioned on 25 October 1912 and converted into an repair ship.
2. Laid down as a collier at the Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, California, USA on 18 October 1907, launched on 5 December 190, commissioned on 15 January 1910 as the Fleet Collier No. 2, de commissioned on 7 April 1913 and converted into the repair ship No.2 USS Prometheus.
