ˈædmɜːɹəl dʒˈɔːɹdʒ ˈeɪ. bˈælɑːɹd dᵻskɹˈaɪbd ðə mˈɪnətˌɔːɹklˈæs ʃˈɪps æz "ðə dˈʌlɪst pɚfˈoːɹmɚz ˌʌndɚ kˈænvəs ʌvðə hˈoʊl mˈæstᵻd flˈiːt ʌv ðɛɹ dˈeɪ, ænd nˈoʊ ʃˈɪps ˈɛvɚ kˈæɹid sˈoʊ mˌʌtʃ dɹˈɛs tə sˌoʊ lˈɪɾəl pˈɜːpəs.
Admiral George A. Ballard described the Minotaur-class ships as "the dullest performers under canvas of the whole masted fleet of their day, and no ships ever carried so much dress to so little purpose.