The three ships Takasago, Kasagi, and Chitose, are slightly improved
editions of the Yoshino already described. The first was built at
Elswick, the other two in America.
There are slight differences in dimensions, otherwise the description
of the Yoshino stands for them. The armament is not quite the same as
in the Yoshino, as these three later vessels carry two 8-in. guns in
heavy turrets, ten 4.7’s on the broadsides, and 12-pounders instead of
6-pounders.
They are very fast, but the heavy gun turret forward does not improve
their behaviour at sea. _Per contra_, the 8-in. guns give them the
power to deal a knock-out blow to other cruisers of their size; so
their value depends on whether scouting or fighting is the more
important _métier_ for a second-class cruiser. The Yoshino type is
intended to be both, and the Yoshino herself in a great measure is; the
others are too heavily armed to be ideal scouts.
The Niitaka and Tsushima were launched in 1902. A sister, the Otawa,
was laid down in 1903. They are improved Sumas, and entirely of
Japanese design and construction.
[Illustration: KASAGI.]
[Illustration: TAKASAGO.]