Q&A · 2:16:26-2:16:38

Why the Dutch stopped at eight protected cruisers

Limited money explains the Dutch choice of a small protected-cruiser program without armored cruisers.

Question

Why did the Dutch build only eight protected cruisers and no armored cruisers?

Short answer

Money: the naval budget could not support more protected cruisers or a move to armored cruisers.

Notes

Money limited both the number and type of cruisers the Netherlands could acquire. The available naval budget could support only eight protected cruisers and no move to the more expensive armored-cruiser type.