Head of three units, built in the construction site of Castellammare di Stabia with setting the 10 1884 July 17 and launch 1888 XNUMX October, in the study of the project many elements and features of the class "Italy" were preserved and especially was maintained subdivision of the hull in several compartments transverse ponds.
Instead, it was obvious to the defects of "Italy" especially as it referred to the protection and progress achieved in the artillery field allowed to equip the three units of arms of smaller caliber and less weight but more effective.
The same could be said of the engine system. All this caused a considerable reduction in weight to the advantage of protection and speed.
Features: 13.300 t, main armament on four guns in two axial twin towers from 343 / 50 and eight from 152 mm in addition to weapons of smaller caliber, protection on a vertical and horizontal armored belt very extended by 100 mm, engine on four alternative drives powered by 18 boilers with a speed of 18 knots. The characteristics of armament, speed and protection made the "King Umberto" the forerunners of the future battle cruisers.
Between the three units of the class there were considerable differences in displacement and from the point of view of the exterior mainly as regards the funnels that were of different shape.
Source: Military Navy
