In 1884 Elswick suddenly sprang the deck-protected cruiser on the world. In that year was launched the famous Esmeralda. She was, like the Arturo Prat, built for Chili, and as a Chilian cruiser bore a share in the Chilian revolution. When the Chino-Japanese war broke out Japan made overtures for this ship, and in 1895 purchased her through the agency of Ecuador. The war was over before the cruiser could be employed, but she was probably purchased against possible eventualities with Russia, France, and Germany. Being now obsolete, she has not proved a valuable acquisition, and the Japanese speak of her as a very bad sea boat. Particulars of this once famous vessel are:—
| Displacement | 3000 tons. |
| Material of hull | Steel. |
| Length | 270 ft. |
| Beam | 42 ft. |
| Draught (maximum) | 19½ ft. |
| Armament (originally) | Two 10-in. 32 cals. |
| Six 6-in. 32 cals. | |
| Two 6-pdr. Q.F. | |
| Five 1-pdr. Q.F. | |
| Two Gardners. | |
| Three torpedo tubes, one of them | |
| in the bow. |
The six 6-in. B.L. have been removed by the Japanese, and six 4.7-in. Q.F. of 40 calibres substituted.
When new the Esmeralda was one of the swiftest ships afloat. Her I.H.P. natural draught was 6500, with an 18.5-knot speed on her trials in 1885. She carries 400 tons of coal, with provision for 200 tons more.
Protection is afforded by a steel deck 1 in. thick on the slopes and ½ in. on the flat. Over the loading stations of the big guns a 1-in. steel skin is carried.
ESMERALDA, NOW IDZUMI.
News of the Esmeralda’s fame soon reached Japan, and two glorified editions of her, the Naniwa and Takachiho, were promptly ordered. Japanese home construction was not, however, affected, and three composite vessels, Yamato, Katsuragi, and Mushashi, were put in hand, and launched in 1885-86. Details of these are as follows:—
| Displacement | 1502 tons. |
| Material of hull | Composite. |
| Length | 207 ft. |
| Beam | 36 ft. |
| Draught (mean) | 15 ft. |
| Armament | Two 6.6-in. Krupp. |
| Six 4¾-in. Krupp. | |
| Four Nordenfelts. | |
| Two torpedo tubes. | |
| Horse-power | 1600. |
| Trial speed | 13.5 knots. |
| Complement | 231. |