The Majestic class grew from an initial two-ship order under John Spencer into a nine-ship programme. The class comprised Majestic, Victorious, Magnificent, Mars, Hannibal, Illustrious, Prince George, Caesar, and Jupiter. These 16,000-ton pre-dreadnoughts were about 128 metres long and made 16 knots from machinery rated at 10,000 indicated horsepower. Their Harvey armour was stronger than earlier protection but less resistant than Krupp armour. Each ship mounted four 12-inch Mark VIII guns, twelve quick-firing six-inch guns, numerous lighter weapons, and five 18-inch torpedo tubes. Their machinery produced more than four times the indicated horsepower of a Lord Clive-class monitor. The large class created a pool of compatible guns and fittings that could be moved into monitors while the old hulls continued in auxiliary roles.
Chapter · 7:30-12:52
The Majestic-class battleship baseline
A profile of the nine-ship Majestic class explains its expansion under the Spencer programme and the pool of weapons later recycled into monitors.