31. Above the belt was an armoured deck 1.5 in thick, the first such armoured deck on a British warship. 32. Above the belt was an armoured deck 1.5 in thick, the first such armoured deck on a British warship. 33. Outside the citadel, above the armoured deck were a large number of small watertight compartments used to hold coal and stores. 34. The " Edgar " s were protected cruisers, with an arched, armoured deck thick at about waterline level. 35. The design was an improved version of the " Iris " class, with an armoured deck and better armament. 36. The armoured deck extended forward 46 feet over the torpedo compartment with a maximum thickness of 8 inches, thinning to 6 inches. 37. As a result, navies preferred to build protected cruisers with an armoured deck protecting their engines, or simply no armour at all. 38. The real protection of the class came from the armoured deck 4 in thick, and the arrangement of coal bunkers to prevent flooding. 39. The barbettes were thick at their maximum, tapering to, or in areas where adjacent armoured structures or armoured decks afforded some protection. 40. The armoured deck matched the length of the waterline belt and sloped down 2.5?to meet the upper edge of the belt.
