They were enlarged versions of HMS Achilles with heavier armament, thicker armour, and more powerful engines.

The ships of this class were unique among ironclad warships in possessing on completion five masts, named fore-, second-, main-, fourth- and mizzen-.

The failure of these guns in service led to a complete re-evaluation of their armament, with a concomitant delay in the arming of the whole class.

In a moderate swell these 7-inch guns were virtually unworkable, making the Minotaurs both the heaviest and the worst armed of the Victorian battleships.

They were regarded as good sea-boats, and were considered to be among the steadiest ships in the battle-fleet[citation needed].