Pelorus Class Light Cruiser (3rd Class Protected Cruiser)

This was a class of 11 small cruisers designed by Sir William White (Director of Naval Construction, 1885-1902). White believed that if the weight available for armour did not run to protecting the ship's side with a belt of substantial area and thickness, it was best used on an armoured deck covering the submerged part of the ship, including of course magazines and main machinery hence the term “Protected” Cruiser.
In appearance she was typical of White's smaller cruisers with a raised forecastle and poop and two tall raked funnels and masts. A conspicuous feature were groups of large cowls for engine and boiler-room ventilating. These small cruisers, whilst reasonably armed for their size, were never expected to serve with the battle fleet even when new, and they spent their careers on overseas stations primarily for colonial 'police' type work. They were a smaller follow on to the generally similar Pearl class Third Class Cruisers.
Ships of the Pelorus Class were fitted with a variety of boilers to verify their performance. When new, the class generally exceeded their designed speed of 20 knots and were fast for their day, but by WWI their speed was reduced to 16 knots, cruisers by then were at least 10 knots faster. HMS Pomone and Pactolus had so many problems with their Blechynden boilers that they were retired several years before the rest of the class.
All ships of this class were due for disposal in 1915 had war not been declared.