After the Civil War, the US Navy had been allowed to decay into irrelevance. In 1883, Congress approved the four new "ABCD" warships, the first steel ships built for the US Navy as it began its transformation into the potent "New Navy." The most powerful of these were the three protected cruisers Atlanta, Boston, and Chicago. These were soon joined by a succession of further, distinctive protected cruisers, culminating in the famous and powerful Olympia. The US Navy's 11 protected cruisers were in the frontline of US victory in the 1898 Spanish-American War. It was these warships that fought the decisive Battle of Manila Bay, and would go on to serve faithfully as escorts and auxiliaries in World War I. Written by experienced US naval researcher Brian Lane Herder, this book explores the development, qualities, and service of these cruisers, and highlights the almost-forgotten Columbia-class, designed as high-speed commerce raiders, and to mimic specific passenger liners. All 11 protected cruisers are depicted in meticulously researched color illustrations, including Olympia in her full sail rig.