Asama displaced a little over 9,500 tons and measured roughly 135 meters long with a beam a little over 20 meters. Twelve cylindrical boilers supplied two triple-expansion steam engines driving two shafts. Their 18,000 indicated horsepower produced a top speed of 21 knots. At an economical ten knots, the cruiser could travel about 10,000 nautical miles. Those figures combined fleet speed with the range needed for Japan's wider strategic and diplomatic employment.
Chapter · 16:03-17:15
Machinery gives Asama speed and oceanic range
Twelve boilers and two triple-expansion engines gave the 9,500-ton cruiser 21-knot speed and a 10,000-nautical-mile economical range.