Their protection suited a ship expected to get in and out of restricted waters rather than trade blows with capital ships. They carried torpedo bulkheads, while their roughly 17- to 19-month completion times were much shorter than the schedules normally associated with large warships. Their two- to three-inch belt and light deck protection followed from that specialized mission rather than simple neglect. The construction dates also demonstrate how quickly major yards such as Elswick and Harland and Wolff could deliver large wartime hulls.
Notable Point · 19:20-21:37
Light protection and remarkably rapid construction
The ships' modest armour suited a fast, shallow-draft raiding role, and both were completed at exceptional wartime speed.