This coloured lithograph depicts the steam passenger liner ‘Majestic’, of the White Star Line, a ship launched in 1889. She is depicted from her starboard side, sailing in a moderately rough sea. The sails on all of her masts are furled, but she is sailing at a good speed and steam, judging from her bow wave and the twin plumes of black smoke steaming heavily from her two funnels.

On the deck of the ship itself, passengers and crew members can be seen on the decks and promenades, while two lookouts can be seen in the crow’s nest on the foremast. The ship’s starboard compliment of lifeboats can be seen on their davits.

At the stern, the Red Ensign of the British Merchant Navy can be seen flying in the wind. The white and red flag of the White Star Line can be seen flying at the top of the foremost aft mast. At the top of the foremast, the US National flag can be clearly seen, owing to the fact that the ‘Majestic’ was a transatlantic passenger liner.

Though the sea is depicted as rough, the sky is painted as clear – this is therefore a depiction of the ship sailing on a windy day, rather than in a storm. She is most likely sailing in the Atlantic, as this was her area of operations for the bulk of her career.