In 1934, the economic depression had finally lifted, but White Star and Cunard were still short on funds. The governemt made the two lines merge, and now the Cunard-White Star Line was working again on hull 534 (Queen Mary). Majestic was now evidently and old ship, but she still sailed strongly, replacing the aging Mauritania.
That same year, a huge wave washed over Majestic's bow, smashing the bridge windows and injuring the First Officer and Commadore Edgar Trant. Trant spent the rest of the voyage in the ship's hospital and never made another voyage as captain.
In 1935, the French Line brought the Normandie into service. After 22 years, Majestic was no longer the biggest ship in the world. The following year, the Queen Mary took over Majestic's role, and the ship was sold to Thos. W Ward for £115,000. The admiralty however bought her to be used as a troop training ship. She was refurbished and her funnels and masts cut down to allow for passage under the Fourth Bridge and she was taken to Roseyth, Scotland.
Still in her White Star colours, she was renamed HMS Celedonia. When war was declared in 1939, the ship was taken to the Firth of Forth near her original site to ride out the conflict.
Her end came on September 29th, 1939. The ship caught fire at her moorings and sank, and in March of 1940, was again sold to Thos. W Ward for scrap. Raised and cut down to the waterline, with the exception of the forepeak to assist with towing, the ship was taken away, never to return. The mightiest White Star ship ever was gone. |
