§ After fully considering all the vessels of the cruiser classes in existence, building, or proposed for Foreign Navies, and those completed or in progress for the Royal Navy, it has been decided to construct two vessels ("Blake" and "Blenheim") which shall surpass in speed, coal endurance, protection, and armament, anything hitherto attempted. Their dimensions are
| Length | 375 feet. |
| Breadth | 65 feet. |
| Displacement (about) | 9,000 tons. |
| Speed (with full speed supply) on measured mile | 22 knots. |
| At sea (continuous steaming) | 20 knots. |
| Radius of action— | |
| Speed of 10 knots, about | 15,000 knots. |
| Speed of 20 knots, about | 3,000 knots. |
§ The armament will be definitely determined when the trials of the larger natures of quick-firing guns, now in progress, have been completed. Provisionally it includes
| 2 | 9.2-in. (22-ton) bow and stern chasers, |
| 10 | 6.in. (5-ton) quick-firers, broadside, |
| 18 | 3.prs. quick-firers, |
| 4 | Torpedo tubes. |
§ The supply of ammunition to the quick-firing guns will be of very exceptional amount; and the weight assigned to the armament considerably in excess of that in any other cruiser.
§ * This is independent of the 3 gunboats of this type ordered to he laid down at Pembroke in September, 1887, and not included in the original programme of that year.
899§ The protective steal deck will extend throughout the length, and over the machinery, boilers, &c.; will have a maximum thickness of 6 inches, and a minimum of 3 inches.
§ This maximum thickness of 6 inches will afford the same protection from the direct blows of projectiles, as would a vertical plate of 12 inches in thickness.
§ The coal-endurance, based upon the supply that is to be carried at the maximum speeds, is very nearly double that provided for in other cruisers; and compares even more favourably with the endurance of nearly all foreign cruisers; for the service intended this is a matter of primary importance.
§ The propelling engines will be of the vertical triple expansion type, and many now features tending to the efficiency of the vessels when employed at speeds varying over the great range of 10 knots to 22 knots per hour will be introduced into the arrangements of engines, boilers, and coal stowage.
§ The condition of steaming continuously for long periods and over great distances at the very high speed of 20 knots per hour has been made a ruling condition in the design; and with forced draught spurts of several hours' duration will be possible up to 22 knots.
§ In the maintenance of these high speeds at sea, the great length (for a war-ship), and considerable size of the vessels, will obviously be of marked advantage.
§ As compared with previous cruisers these vessels are of large displacement, but taking into account their qualities above mentioned—speed, armament, coal endurance, and strong protection—they are not large vessels; and as compared with the mercantile steamers having ocean speed of 16 to 20 knots per hour, built or building, the now cruisers are of small size.
§ As protectors of commerce against regular or improvised cruisers these vessels will be most useful; and for many other services they will prove most valuable additions to the Fleet.
§ It is proposed to push on their construction as rapidly as is possible.