The Edgars form an early major run of first-class protected cruisers, using triple-expansion machinery and two shafts to reach about twenty knots under forced draught. At roughly 118 metres they were nearly as long as the Centurion class and longer than a Royal Sovereign. Their size never made them a battle-anything; they remained protected cruisers. Hull length is therefore a poor shortcut for classification, which depends on the ship's overall design and intended type.
Chapter · 22:56-24:43
Edgar-class cruisers approach battleship dimensions
The Edgar class shows how a first-class protected cruiser could reach battleship length without becoming a battleship.