Six-inch guns, close defence, and Whitehead torpedoes

Ten six-inch breech-loaders provided the main battery, with four mounted on projecting turntables for useful forward and after arcs. The remaining six-inch guns fired through conventional broadside ports, giving the ships a substantial battery for commerce-protection work. One-inch Nordenfelts and Gatling guns could engage boarders, small craft, and boats alongside through mountings designed for steep depression. Four broadside Whitehead tubes and two carried second-class torpedo boats added an offensive torpedo element against opponents the cruisers could not defeat by gunfire alone.