HMS Majestic (1895) - Operational History

Operational History

HMS Majestic commissioned into the Channel Squadron on 12 December 1895. She was present at the Fleet Review at Spithead for the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria on 26 June 1897 and at the Coronation Review for King Edward VII on 16 August 1902. She underwent a refit at Portsmouth from February to July 1904, and she became a unit of the Atlantic Fleet when a reorganization resulted in the Channel Fleet becoming the Atlantic Fleet in January 1905. On 1 October 1906, she paid off into reserve at Portsmouth.

Majestic recommissioned at Portsmouth on 26 February 1907 to become flagship of the Nore Division in the new Home Fleet, stationed at the Nore. She began a refit later that year in which she received radio and new fire control systems. When the flag was transferred to another ship in January 1908, she became a private ship in the Nore Division. In June 1908, Majestic transferred to the Devonport Division of the Home Fleet, stationed at Devonport. Her refit was completed in 1909, and in March 1909 she transferred to the 3rd Division at Devonport, then in August 1910 to the 4th Division at Devonport, where she underwent another refit in 1911. In May 1912, Majestic became part of the 7th Battle Squadron in the 3rd Fleet at Devonport. On 14 July 1912 she collided with her sister ship HMS Victorious during maneuvers, suffering no serious damage.