Hello again!
The fastest cruiser on the planet... in 1901: The russian cruiser Novik, built by Schichau in Danzig and good for 25,7 knots. Good enough for the Russians to build two near identical copies, the Zhemchug and the Izumrud.
Not enough to escape the Japanese in 1904, however.
BTW, as far as I remember, the Zhemchug was drawn by Rhade at some point, and really well too... but never uploaded. Maybe it would be a good time now??
Greetings
GD