Background
The Asama was one of six armored cruisers ordered to overseas shipyards after the First Sino-Japanese War as part of the "Six-Six Program" (six battleships-six cruisers) intended to form the backbone of the Imperial Japanese Navy. Construction of the Asama began as a private venture by the British shipbuilder Armstrong Whitworth of Elswick, and the design had to be modified slightly to meet Japanese requirements. At the time of its completion, the Asama was considered the fastest; most heavily armed and most heavily armored cruiser in the world. It arrived in Yokosuka on 17 May 1899.
Read more about this topic: Japanese Cruiser Asama
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