[1] In size these ships were almost as long as a cruiser but laid out much like a large destroyer except for the three straight funnels, which were an instant identifying feature.

To put this into perspective, the contemporary Town-class cruisers had 80,000 shp (60,000 kW) and a full load displacement of 12,980 tons, just short of four times that of the Abdiels.

A Type 285 radar was fitted to the rangefinder-director on the bridge, this was a metric set and could provide target ranging and bearing information.

In July 1945, Ariadne was refitted in the United States for far eastern service, when the Bofors mounts were replaced by American pattern models (Mark I) with off-mounting "simple tachymetric directors" (STD) fitted with Type 282 Radar and the Oerlikon mounts re-gunned with Bofors guns (this combination was known as the "Boffin").

[2] This limited their ability to deploy even in the constricted waters of the Mediterranean Sea to the point that Admiral Cunningham recommended that ships still under construction be fitted with additional fuel tanks, which was done for the last two vessels.

[5] As such, for much of their service, they were used for running supplies, particularly men and matériel, to isolated garrisons such as during the Siege of Tobruk and Malta in Operation Harpoon.

On 25 October 1941, Latona was hit by a 250 lb (110 kg) bomb in the engine room, causing a serious fire that spread to the munitions she was carrying and resulting in her loss.

In 1953, Manxman was used to depict a German raider in the re-made film of C. S. Forester's novel Brown on Resolution; for this her funnels were enlarged to alter her outline, dummy 6-inch barrels were fitted over her 4-inch guns, and her bow was painted to indicate 'torpedo damage'.