A third ship, provisionally designated Torpedo-Ram Cruiser C, was authorized in 1889 to begin construction under the forthcoming 1890 fiscal year, and was originally planned to displace 4000 long tons , but by that time, improved armor types became available, raising the possibility that the next vessel could incorporate traditional belt armor; earlier vessels were protected cruisers, relying solely on a sloped armor deck to shield their propulsion machinery and ammunition magazines.