Unprotected cruiser

Unprotected cruisers constituted a warship class that was used from about 1850 in the war fleets. Counter the effects of enemy fire unprotected cruisers were protected only by the bunkered on the sides coal stock.

The unprotected cruiser of the German Imperial Navy were the first ships of the cruiser class and replaced the screw frigates and corvettes screws. They were used primarily in the foreign and colonial service and were, until 1875, the main form of cruisers and had next to a steam engine usually one auxiliary sails. The maximum displacement was initially about 6,000 tons, declined until 1894 but less than 2,000 tons. Unprotected cruisers were called in the German Empire at the end 4 as unprotected small cruiser or cruiser class. Larger still standing in service unprotected cruisers were called cruisers 3rd class. By improving the artillery and torpedo weapons unprotected cruisers were no longer suitable after 1900 for the Foreign Service. Existing ships were decommissioned and used up as training ships. From 1899 only protected cruisers, and light cruisers were built.