Ships Cover for the Blake class first class protected cruisers HMS Blake (1889) and HMS Blenheim (1890). The documents mainly relate to the proposal and correspondence concerning the new design, armament arrangement and ammunition allowance, statements of dimensions and weights, stability calculations, general fittings such as boats, anchors, steering gear and masts, crew complement, correspondence with Thames Iron Works, Blackwall and other contractors, coal endurance and steam/turning trial reports, and details of alterations made during construction and post completion. Significant among the latter are detailed proposals circa 1902/3 for the re-arming of both ships with modern weaponry. The documents commence in October 1887 at the beginning of the design process and end in October 1906, when both ships were converted to destroyer depot ships [conversion of Blake completed in 1907].