This class of small cruisers was the first to be newly built after a major reclassification of ships in the German Imperial Navy, laying the foundation for the classifications in use until the end of the war. They were actually the first ships to be built under this classification as Small Cruisers, older designations classified them as Small Protected Cruiser (Kleiner Geschützter Kreuzer) or Fourth Class Cruisers (Kreuzer IV. Klasse). Their construction was based on the plans of the Aviso Hela. Built from 1898 onwards and joining the fleet from 1900 to 1904, ten ships were built and widely used for many duties, including foreign patrol and diplomatic representation. They introduced the 10,5cm calibre into the navy, which was still used when the Royal Navy switched their cruisers to 6” gun