ɪn sˈɜːvɪs ðə ʃˈɪps pɹˈuːvd təbi bˈɔɪənt ænd sˈiːwɜːði ɔːlðˈoʊ ðeɪ ɹˈoʊld hˈɛvili wˌɪtʃ mˈɛnt ðæt ðɛɹ dˈɛks wɜːɹ ˈɔfən ɐwˈɑːʃ.
In service the ships proved to be buoyant and seaworthy although they rolled heavily which meant that their decks were often awash.