Of the Eclipse-class 2nd 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 by London&Glasgow Shipbuilding, Govan, Scotland on 30 August 1894, launched on 20 March 1896 (the 18th failed when she sticks on the slipway), completed on 10 May 1898, decommissioned and became as an emergency ship part of the Fleet Reserve, reclassified as a depot ship in 1912 and sold to be broken up on 26 December 1926.
Displacement 5.690 tons and as dimensions 106,7 x 16,3 x 6,25 metres ot 350 x 53.6 x 20.6 feet. Machinery consisted of 2 inverted triple-expansion steam engines and 8 cylindrical boilers supplying via two shafts 8.000 (natural draft)-9.600 (forced draft)-ihp allowing a speed of 18,5 (natural draft)-19,5 (forced draft) knots. Coal bunker capacity maximum 1.075 ton. Her crew numbered 450 men. Original armament consisted of 5x1-15,2cm/6” quick firing guns, 6x1-12cm/4.7” quick firing guns, 6-3pd quick firing guns and 3-45,72cm/18” torpedo tubes (1 stern above the furace and 1 each broadside submerged). After 1905 consisted the armament of 11-15,2cm.6” quick firing guns, 9-7,6cm/3” quick firing guns, 7-30od quick firing guns and 3-4,72cm/18” torpedo tubes. Armour consisted of 3,8cm1.5”-7,6cm/3” thick decks, a 15,2cm/6” thick hatch, 7,6cm/3” thick gun shields with the conning tower protected by 15,cm/6”.
