![]() Over the next decade, the navy settled on a sustained program of cruiser construction, adding fifteen ships. Because the traditional American strategy had been one of commerce raiding, when the United States began rebuilding its navy in the early 1880s, the first warships ordered were the steel cruisers Atlanta, Boston, and Chicago, beginning the tradition of naming them after cities. cruisers were sizable ships (from 3,000 to 35,000 tons), with crews of 300 to 1,700 men. To operate alone, cruisers carried substantial armament, were protected by armor of medium thickness, and possessed high speed, great range, and good seakeeping qualities. In peacetime, cruisers frequently maintained a naval presence in troubled areas. cruisers often provided flagship facilities for officers commanding destroyer flotillas or even entire fleets. Successor to the sailing frigate, the cruiser inherited the earlier ship's missions: scouting and screening for the battle fleet, commerce raiding, or protecting trade. ![]()
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