fɹˈiːboːɹd wʌz fˈɪkst æt tʊ ɛnʃˈʊɹ ˈædɪkwət stəbˈɪlᵻɾi, wˌaɪl ɐfˈoːɹdɪŋ ðɪ ˈɑːɹməmənt ɐ kəmˈænd æt lˈiːst kˈɑːmpɚɹəbəl tə ðæt əbtˈeɪnd ɪn kəntˈɛmpɚɹˌɛɹi bɹˈɔːdsaɪd ˈaɪɚŋklædz.
Freeboard was fixed at  to ensure adequate stability, while affording the armament a command at least comparable to that obtained in contemporary broadside ironclads.