The Royal Navy classified these ships as frigates, as they lacked the torpedo tubes needed for a destroyer classification. For those used to Admiralty-designed ships the Captains were unfamiliar: they had no break forward of the forecastle but instead had a graceful shear to deck-line from the forecastle to midship, and the "Evarts" had raked cowls on top of the funnels. Those who served on these ships came to view these features as being very handsome. Amongst the differences with British-designed vessels were using bunks instead of hammocks and welds instead of rivets.