RMS Majestic was an ocean liner operated by the White Star Line, launched on 29 June 1889 and entering service in March 1890. Built by Harland & Wolff, she was a sister ship to RMS Teutonic. Constructed with a focus on transatlantic competitiveness, Majestic was designed to achieve an average speed of 20 knots, enabling her to rival other contemporary British liners. She was powered by two triple-expansion steam engines generating 17,000 indicated horsepower, driving two propellers, and was among the first White Star ships to eliminate the need for auxiliary sails. Majestic's dimensions and tonnage details include a gross register tonnage of approximately 10,147 GRT following her 1902–1903 refit, which also saw her equipped with new boilers and taller twin funnels. Her exterior featured a streamlined profile with two tall funnels, and her design prioritized passenger comfort and speed. Her maiden voyage was from Liverpool to New York on 2 April 1890. She quickly gained prominence by capturing the Blue Riband in July 1891 with a westbound crossing of 5 days, 18 hours, and 8 minutes at an average speed of 20.1 knots, although her hold on this record was brief as her sister Teutonic soon surpassed her. Throughout her career, Majestic was known for her competitive spirit, including a notable race against the City of Paris in 1894 that ended in a tie. Majestic served notably during the Boer War, transporting troops to South Africa in 1899–1900 under Captain Edward Smith, who commanded her for nine years. Her service was periodically interrupted by incidents such as a bunker fire in 1905 and a significant port fire in Southampton in 1908. In 1907, she transitioned to a new Southampton–New York express service, and in 1911, she was relegated to reserve status. During her later years, she assisted in rescues, such as the wreck of the French schooner Garonne in 1913. Her long service concluded in January 1914 after carrying nearly 277,000 passengers over 24 years. Sold for scrap in May 1914 to Thos. W. Ward, she was dismantled just before World War I, marking the end of a notable chapter in White Star Line's maritime history.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.