At about 8,400 tons, each ship measured 96 metres long, 19 metres in beam, and drew 8.15 metres. Twelve coal-fired boilers supplied two three-cylinder inverted compound reciprocating engines, which drove two shafts. The machinery produced about 8,000 indicated horsepower for a stated top speed of 16 knots. A range of roughly 6,500 nautical miles at ten knots suited long-distance deployments. Laid down in 1881, launched in 1883, and completed in 1886, the class developed alongside the contemporary Leanders.
Chapter · 4:22-5:04
Propulsion and the range expected of an ocean cruiser
The specification rundown connects the class's boilers, compound engines, 16-knot speed, and 6,500-nautical-mile range to its station-cruiser role.