Naval tech question

[unmerged(85800)]

First of all, let me apologise for clogging up the victoria forum lately with my incessant questions - i'm still teaching myself to play.

my latest problem that i've encountered is that i've just researched steel steamers, i have saved up a lot of cash and was hoping to be able to build lots of pre-dreadnoughts and cruisers to rule the seas with. however, 6 months later and the tech still has not triggered, meaning despite the fact that i've researched it i cannot build the damned ships, and am still stuck with monitors. what's the problem? is this supposed to happen, and so do i just need to wait a year or so and stop being so damned impatient until it suddenly and randomly triggers and i can build these beautiful ships?

as always, help is hugely appreciated.

 

[Stingray]

Having a high prestige helps. I don't think there are any other requirements for it to trigger.

 

[unmerged(85800)]

thanks. i'll just wait, then.

 

[coco2]

Bear in mind as well that regardless of when you research the tech, protected cruisers wont fire until 1870 at the earliest, and the Pre dreadnought after that.

 

[unmerged(85800)]

i'd guessed there was some sort of date, as the first pre-dreadnought wasnt built until the mid 1890s i believe. but its 1894 and other countries have protected cruisers and britain has at least one pre dreadnought. cheers for the help.