In the latter part of the nineteenth century, the great powers evolved a new class of ship to protect merchant commerce from cruising commerce raiders. These ships, designated armored cruisers, were as fast or faster than the earlier raiders, with better guns and light armor plate. Since the primary goal of small (non-capital) ship designers was speed, not armor, the steam turbine engine, first made practical by Sir Charles Parsons, was used in smaller vessels like the armored cruiser and the destroyer first. After turbines proved more reliable and cleaner than traditional engines, they were fitted in capital ships as well.
Armored Cruisers are relatively inexpensive and are highly efficient in protecting merchants and demolishing the trade of the enemy. One Armored Cruiser can sink a large number of raiders or early ironclads by remaining out of their range with its superior speed. These ships should not be placed in the line of battle.
