In 1901 the Japanese fleet consisted of six first-class line-of-battle ships of 10,500 tons to 15,000 tons displacement; seven first-class cruisers of 10,000 tons; and six second-class and eight third-class cruisers. Besides the foregoing, Japan possessed numerous flotillas of gunboats and torpedo boats, and twelve first-class destroyers; the latter formed an important and powerful arm of their navy.