The rapid development of shipbuilding in the second half of the 19th century, when ships equipped with steam engines replaced ships of the sailing era, led to the emergence of new classes of warships. One of them was the cruisers, which inherited the functions of the former sailing frigates and corvettes, which, acting both as part of the main forces of the fleet and performing independent tasks in the most remote areas of the world ocean, served to protect sea trade routes, capture or destroy enemy merchant ships, for reconnaissance of enemy forces and service in overseas colonial possessions.