The reworking of the project, practically the conversion from a protected cruiser to an armored cruiser, did not allow Marco Polo to be a very efficient unit, resulting in a hybrid type.
As an armored cruiser it presented inadequate speed, armament and protection, so it will be mainly used in the usual tasks of protected cruisers. Set in the yard of Castellammare di Stabia the 7 January 1890 and launched the 27 October 1892, had a displacement of 4600 t, was equipped with two alternative 10.000 hp engines powered by four boilers with a speed of 17 knots; the protection was based on a horizontal belt of 50 mm and on a vertical of 100 mm.
Source: Military Navy
