Ships Cover for the Barracouta class third class protected cruisers HMS Barracouta (1889), HMS Barrosa (1889), HMS Blanche (1889) and HMS Blonde (1889). The documentation mainly comprises the initial design proposal and a precis of subsequent discussions concerning its final form, stability calculations with some model test data, comparative table of estimated costs and coal endurance (the new and existing British designs), armament and ammunition to be allocated with a detailed precis of the discussions concerning the adoption of the 4.7-in QF gun and 45lb shells for the same, schemes of complement for HMS Buzzard (1887) [included for comparative purposes], Blanche and Blonde as commissioned and Barrosa circa 1902, brief correspondence concerning optimal screw design, statements of dimensions and weights, details of masts, trial reports, and lists of stores/fittings and weights thereof. A fair amount of paperwork is devoted to issues concerning sheathing the hulls of the ships, and in the latter half of the cover particular discussion is generated by an 1898 survey of Blonde's hull, describing damage to brass bolts that may have been caused by electrolysis (a process not clearly understood at this time). Other documents of note include a collation of sailing/steam trial reports for all ships of the Barracouta and Beagle classes, and papers relating to tenders and re-boilering requirements for Blanche in the late 1890s. The documents commence in October 1886 at the outset of the design stage and end in April 1904, by which time none of the ships were seeing active service.