In reviewing foreign shipbuilding Lord Brassey observed that France had mainly adhered to a type with high freeboard and a continuous belt of armour that was much admired by the Royal Navy. The Royal Navy's ships had better protected guns and higher speeds. Italy had abandoned belt armour, while in gun protection, speed, and coal endurance her ships were matchless. The Germans had copied, other's designs rather than starting new types, and Russia was building heavily armoured cruisers.

Accession No.2877