HMS Majestic was a Majestic-class pre-dreadnought battleship of the Royal Navy. Commissioned in 1895, she was the largest pre-dreadnought launched at the time. She served with the Channel Fleet until 1904, following which she was assigned to the Atlantic Fleet. In 1907, she was part of the Home Fleet, firstly assigned to the Nore Division and then with the Devonport Division. From 1912, she was part of the 7th Battle Squadron.
HMS Majestic
Right elevation, deck plan, and hull section as depicted in Brassey's Naval Annual 1902
Majestic being coaled circa 1904
Majestic steaming out of Mudros harbour with several destroyers
Majestic-class battleship
The Majestic class of nine pre-dreadnought battleships were built for the Royal Navy in the mid-1890s under the Spencer Programme, named after the First Lord of the Admiralty, John Poyntz Spencer. With nine units commissioned, they were the most numerous class of battleships. The nine ships, HMS Majestic, Caesar, Hannibal, Illustrious, Jupiter, Magnificent, Mars, Prince George, and Victorious, were built between 1894 and 1898 as part of a programme to strengthen the Royal Navy versus its two traditional rivals, France and Russia. This continued the naval re-armament initiatives begun by the Naval Defence Act 1889.
HMS Mars
HMS Royal Sovereign, upon which the design for the Majestic class was based
Right elevation, deck plan, and hull section as depicted in Brassey's Naval Annual 1902; the shaded areas represent the ship's armour protection.
Majestic's forward 12 in gun turret; note the 12-pounder mounted atop the turret
