The Edgars were an important step in creating large protected cruisers that could support fleet and imperial tasks. Their 9.2-inch chase guns and quick-firing six-inch battery gave them serious power against cruisers and posed a threat even to larger ships. The design had problems in rough water, but it provided experience needed for later, more powerful cruisers. The act produced a useful evolutionary step rather than a final answer to first-class cruiser design.
Chapter · 2:05:09-2:09:44
Edgar class joined fleet work to long-range cruising
The large Edgar-class protected cruisers accepted seakeeping compromises in exchange for range, armament, and first-class cruiser capability.