3-082-229 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Floating of H.M.S. "Majestic" at Portsmouth, January 31, 1895. 'The Marchioness of Lorne was accompanied by her sister, Princess Henry of Battenberg, and was received in the dockyard by Admiral Sir Nowell Salmon, Rear-Admiral C. G. Fane, and Lieutenant-General Davis, by whom they were escorted to No. 13 Dock. Here they were met by Admiral Lord Walter Kerr; Sir W. H. White, the designer of the ship; Mr. J. Williamson, Director of Dockyards; the Mayor of Portsmouth; Mr. L. G. Davies, Chief Constructor; Rear-Admiral Fullerton, Captain Balfour, Mr. Giffard, and others. After the usual brief service, conducted by the Rev. T. F. Morton, Princess Louise christened the Majestic, and, severing a lanyard, released the vessel. While "Hearts of Oak" and the National Anthem were being played the great ship slowly moved out of dock, and the ceremony concluded. The Majestic is a sister-vessel to the Magnificent, and is 390ft. long, 75ft, broad, with a displacement of 14,900 tons. Its forced speed will be 17¾ knots an hour, and its natural speed 16½ knots. The crew of the Majestic will be 757 officers and men'. From "Illustrated London News", 1895.