An item reported that the British cruiser 2nd class Minerva was ready to be launched at the Chatham Dockyard, England. She was of the improved Astrea-design. Displacement 5.600 ton and as dimensions 107 x 16,30 x 6,30 (aft) metres. The two vertical compound steam engine and 8 cylindrical boilers divided over two rooms were to supply with natural draft 8.000 ihp=19 miles and with forced draught 9.600 ihp=20 miles. The vital parts were over the whole length of the ship protected by a 6,5-9cm thick armour deck and the conning tower with 2,5 (above)-15,2cm (vertical) thick armour. The armament consisted of 5-15,2cm quick firing guns, 6-12cm guns, 8-12pound/7,6cm new model guns, 1-3pound/4,7cm Hotchkiss, 4- 1,1cm Maxim machineguns and 3 torpedo tubes (2 submerged) for launching 45,7cm Whitehead torpedoes.(1)
Note
1, Of the Eclipse-class protected cruisers consisting of the Eclipse, Diana, Dido, Doris, Isis, Juno, Minerva. Talbot and Venus, preceded by the Astraea-class and succeeded by the Arrogant-class. Laid down on 4 December 1893, launched on 23 September 1895, completed on 4 February 1897 and sold to be broken up on 5 October 1920.
