The two ships Izumrud ("emerald") and Zhemchug ("pearl"), were copies of newly designed cruiser, Novik, that was built at the Schichau yard in Danzig, German Empire.

After the attack on Port Arthur on the night of 8 February 1904, which started the Russo-Japanese war Novik was the only ship to make a valiant effort and not be caught off guard.

Novik would later be a part of the Battle of the Yellow Sea on 10 August 1904, however after outrunning her opponents for some time and aiding the escape of her comrades on other ships she was eventually cornered in Aniva Bay where the captain had her scuttled.

At the Tsushima Straits after sailing 18,000 kilometres (11,000 mi) the fleet was set upon and began to make a run for it in retreat, eventually the faster ships made in to Manila where they would seek refuge.

[3] As for Zhemchug, she would survive into World War I, when attached with the British Asiatic Fleet in Penang and a few French ships they were set upon in a surprise raid by the German cruiser SMS Emden on 28 October 1914.