The original secondary battery comprised ten 6-inch (152mm) guns, but the overweight condition of these ships forced the elimination of four of these weapons.

Intended for prolonged deployments on distant foreign stations, the ships were sheathed with wood and copper to prevent marine growth on the hull, and were originally fitted with a brig sailing rig to economize on coal.

This reduction in rig and the weight saved thereby allowed the reinstallation of two 6-inch guns, for a total of eight.

The following table gives the build details and purchase cost of the members of the Imperieuse class.

Standard British practice at that time was for these costs to exclude armament and stores.