Romania increasing her navy according to the magazine Mitteilungen aus dem Gebiete des Seewesens 1896 no. 6

An item reported that since 1888 the three coast guard vessels Bistritza, Oltul and Siretul and 2 ocean going torpedo boats fell under Romanian control was a complete division created and the arsenal transferred from Galatz towards Tsiglin at the Black Sea. There were arms, ammunition and other store depots built. The coastal defence works at Küstendje where the fleet stayed during the winter were completed. The Moniteur de la flotte reported that at that moment 3 larger torpedo boats were built in England and even negotiated about the building of 2 armoured ships. The recently republished Memoirs of Edouard Durassier/Valentino (Aide-mémoire de l’officier de marine) of 1896 were even 5 protected cruisers of the Elisabeta-type being built, although this yearbook stated this already for some years.