"vladimir monomakh" was classified as a semi-armored frigate and was an improved version of the preceding . the ship was designed with high endurance and high speed to facilitate her role as a commerce raider able to outrun enemy battleships. she was laid out as a central battery ironclad with the armament concentrated amidships. the iron-hulled ship was fitted with a ram and was sheathed in wood and copper to reduce fouling. the ship's hull was subdivided by ten transverse bulkheads and she had a double bottom deep. her crew numbered approximately 550 officers and men. "vladimir monomakh" was long overall. she had a beam of and a draft of . the ship displaced at deep load.