protected cruiser
A type of warship from the late 19th to early 20th century, with an armored deck protecting vital machinery. Historical naval term.
Protected cruisers were a type of warship that emphasized speed over heavy armor compared to armored cruisers.
装甲巡洋艦 (armored cruiser) had side armor in addition to the protective deck, while 防護巡洋艦 relied mainly on an armored deck.
Compound of 防護 (protection) and 巡洋艦 (cruiser), a calque of the English naval term 'protected cruiser'.