Under the law of August 3, 1881, authorizing the construction of two new ships, it was provided that these should be “sea-going, double-bottomed, armored vessels of about 6000 tons displacement, designed for a speed of at least sixteen knots an hour, with engines having all necessary appliances for working under forced draft, to have a complete torpedo outfit, and be armed in the most effective manner.” According to the circular issued by the Navy Department, one of these was to be an armored cruiser, with a maximum draught of twenty-two feet, and the other a battle-ship, with a draught of twenty-three feet; both were to be built of steel, with double bottoms, to have numerous water-tight compartments fitted with powerful pumping apparatus, and to be supplied throughout with perfect drainage and ventilation. A ram bow, twin screws, electric search-lights, torpedo outfit, and a protected steel-armored deck running the whole length of the ship and covering the boilers, engines, and magazines, were essentials; while high power and economy were so equally demanded that, to a maximum maintained speed of seventeen knots when fully equipped, great coal endurance and small fuel consumption were to be added. In each vessel a space sufficient for two hundred and seventy people, for provisions for three months, and for water for one month, was required. The cruiser was to have two-thirds sail-power on two or three masts, each supplied with a military top fitted to mount one or more machine guns. The armament of this ship was to include ten steel breech-loading rifles—four of 10-inch and six of 6-inch calibre—and a secondary battery of four 6-pounders, four 3-pounders, and two 1-pounders, rapid-fire, and four 47-millimetre and four 37-millimetre revolving cannons, all of the Hotchkiss pattern, together with four Gatling guns. There were to be fitted six torpedo-tubes—one bow, one stern, and two on each side, of which at least one on each side forward was to be under water. The heavy guns were to load in not less than two positions, and were to be protected by at least ten and a half inches of steel armor, properly backed; the 6-inch guns were to be fitted with shields, and all the guns were to be arranged so as to obtain the greatest horizontal and vertical fire consistent with other conditions. Any vertical armored protection at the water-line was to be at least eleven inches thick in the heaviest part, and thicker, if practicable. The armament of the line-of-battle ship was to consist of two 12-inch and six 6-inch guns, and of a secondary battery which included four 6-inch, six 3-pounder, and two 1-pounder rapid-fire guns; of four 47-millimetre and four 37-millimetre revolving cannons, and of four Gatlings. The torpedo outfit was similar to that of the cruiser.