RMS Majestic: The 'Magic Stick'

The RMS Majestic, built in Germany for HAPAG, was launched as Bismarck before the First World War and renamed Majestic after Germany's defeat. She was the largest and most popular liner in the world during the Roaring Twenties but was withdrawn from service due to the merger of Cunard and White Star Lines and the Depression of the Thirties. The British government acquired her as a naval training ship and she became Caledonia before being consumed by fire in September 1939. This revised and expanded edition of the first book devoted to her history showcases rare or previously unpublished images and new material, written by one of maritime history's most celebrated historians.

Format: Paperback / softback
Publication date: 14 March 2024
Publisher: The History Press Ltd

RMS Majestic, a magnificent vessel with a storied past, was intricately woven with the threads of war. Her origins trace back to Germany, where she was constructed under the auspices of Albert Ballins HAPAG, and her name was initially Bismarck, a nod to the powerful German statesman. However, the tides of war would soon change, and after Germany's defeat, she found herself in the hands of the United Kingdom. Purchased by the White Star Line from the British government, she underwent a transformation and was reborn as Majestic. During the Roaring Twenties, Majestic emerged as the largest and most beloved liner in the world, earning her the affectionate nickname "The Magic Stick." This era of grandeur and popularity was short-lived, however, as the merger of the Cunard and White Star Lines and the onset of the Depression of the Thirties led to Majestic's withdrawal from service after just fourteen years.

After her retirement from the sea, Majestic's story took a new chapter. The British government acquired her as a naval training ship, and she was renamed Caledonia. She served in this capacity until the tragic event of her demise in September 1939, when she was consumed by fire.

RMS Majestic's history is a testament to the resilience and adaptability of vessels, as well as the profound impact of war and economic fluctuations on the maritime industry. This revised and expanded edition of "The Magic Stick" serves as a magnificent tribute to the ship and her remarkable journey, offering a wealth of rare and unpublished images, as well as insightful commentary from one of maritime history's most celebrated historians.

Weight: 536g
Dimension: 224 x 247 x 12 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781803993379
Edition number: New ed