RMS Majestic (II)

RMS Majestic (II)

RMS Majestic (II) -- Official White Star Line Card

Built: 1914, Blohm & Voss, Hamburg.
Yard No: 214
Funnels: 3 Masts: 2
Tonnage: 56,551 GRT
Dimensions: 291.4 x 30.5 m / 956 x 100 ft.
Engines: Parsons Turbines by builders.
Quadruple Screw; 86,000 SHP; 23.5, max 24 kn.
Hull: Steel, 6 Decks.
Passengers: 750-1st Class, 545-2nd Class, 850-3rd Class.
Crew: 1,000

Originally laid down for Hamburg America Line by the Kaiser in 1913, she was launched on June 20, 1914 as the Bismark. By August work had ceased for the duration of the war. On June 28, 1919 Germany signed the Treaty of Versailles, under which the Bismark was to be handed over to Great Britain. Building then continued under British supervision. On October 5, 1920 completion was considerably delayed by fire. In February 1921 the British Government sold the Bismark and the Imperator together to Cunard Line and White Star Line. White Star took over the Bismark. On March 28, 1922 she was completed as the largest ship in the world. She started her sea trials on April 1, 1922, which lasted a total of 10 days. She was then renamed Majestic. On May 10, 1922 she made her maiden voyage from Southampton-Cherbourg-New York. In 1928 she was refitted and reboilered. In 1934 White Star Line and Cunard Line merged to form Cunard-White Star Ltd. On February 13, 1936 the Majestic made her last voyage from Southampton to New York via Cherbourg. She was then laid up at Southampton. On May 15 she was sold for breaking up to T.W.Ward. In July 1936 she was sold to Admiralty and converted into an Artificer Cadets' ship. She was converted by Thornycroft, Southampton and was renamed HMS Caledonia. Her funnels were shortened by removal of the black tops. She remained in White Star colors. On April 23, 1937 she sat stationary at Rosyth as the training ship Caledonia with 2,000 cadets aboard. In September 1939 she was scheduled for a refit, so the cadets vacated her. On September 29 the HMS Caledonia was completely burned out and sank on an even keel in shallow water. In March 1940 she was sold for scrap to T.W.Ward and broken up on the spot down to the waterline. On July 17, 1943 the remainder of the wreck was raised and towed to Inverkeithing, where it was scrapped.