 Originally expected to be a class of 12 ships, before being reduced to three and then two, with was reduced in size to that of a protected cruiser.They were prevented from sailing to China during the Sino-French War, but first saw combat at the Battle of the Yalu River on 17 September 1894, during the First Sino-Japanese War.They were next in combat during the Battle of Weihaiwei in early 1895, where they were blockaded in the harbour.