50 Facts About Queen Mary

Design and Construction

The RMS Queen Mary stands as a marvel of engineering and design. Built during a challenging economic period, her creation is a testament to human ingenuity and perseverance.

1. 01The Queen Mary was built in Clydebank, Scotland, under the ownership of Cunard White Star Line. Her construction began on December 1, 1930, with the laying of the keel plate at John Brown Shipyard.
2. 02Named after Queen Mary, the wife of King George V, she was launched on September 26, 1934, and named by her Majesty Queen Mary herself.
3. 03The ship was equipped with advanced technology, including powerful steam turbines and a sleek hull design that allowed her to achieve remarkable speeds for her time.
4. 04Her maiden voyage saw her crossing the Atlantic in just 5 days, 5 hours, and 13 minutes.

Luxury and Amenities

The Queen Mary was designed to provide unparalleled luxury to her passengers. She was more than just a mode of transportation; she was an experience.

5. 05The Queen Mary featured elaborate dining rooms, opulent staterooms, and numerous recreational facilities, including swimming pools, tennis courts, and a dog kennel.
6. 06The ship was also equipped with a state-of-the-art radio system and a sophisticated navigation system.
7. 07During her first crossing in 1936, ten stowaways were discovered on board, highlighting the challenges faced by ship owners in preventing unauthorized passengers from boarding their vessels.

Maiden Voyage and Early Achievements

The Queen Mary's early years were marked by impressive feats and records, showcasing her capabilities and setting her apart from other ocean liners.

8. 08The Queen Mary's maiden voyage began on May 27, 1935, when she departed Southampton for Cherbourg, France. She continued on to New York City, arriving at Pier 90 on June 1, 1935.
9. 09She won the Blue Riband for the fastest North Atlantic crossings from the French Line's Normandie on her sixth round-trip voyage from August 19-31, 1935.
10. 10On October 8, 1938, the Queen Mary docked without the aid of tugboats in New York City, setting a new world record for docking speed.

Impact of the Great Depression

The construction of the Queen Mary was not immune to the economic challenges of the time. The Great Depression had a significant impact on her development.

11. 11The construction of the Queen Mary was halted in December 1931 due to the Great Depression. The hull plating was 80% completed at that time, but work resumed in 1934 after financial support was secured.
12. 12In 1934, Cunard Line and White Star Line merged to form Cunard White Star Line. This merger allowed for the completion of the Queen Mary and other projects that were stalled due to financial constraints.

World War II Service

With the outbreak of World War II, the Queen Mary was transformed from a luxury liner into a vital troopship, playing a crucial role in the war effort.

13. 13The Queen Mary's final peacetime voyage took place on August 30, 1939. She departed Southampton carrying 2,552 passengers, including famous comedian Bob Hope and millions in gold bullion.
14. 14During World War II, the Queen Mary was converted into a troopship. Her elegant furnishings were stripped and stored in warehouses, and much of the ship was painted navy gray.
15. 15She became known as “The Grey Ghost” due to her ability to evade enemy detection while transporting troops.
16. 16The Queen Mary transported over 15,000 men on numerous voyages during the war. Some of these men were ill or injured from battles, and areas of the ship were converted into makeshift hospitals with doctors and nurses treating the troops.

Post-War Career and Final Voyage

After the war, the Queen Mary returned to her role as a passenger liner, continuing to offer luxurious transatlantic voyages until her retirement.

17. 17After the war, the Queen Mary resumed her role as a passenger liner. She continued to offer luxurious transatlantic voyages until 1967 when she completed her final voyage from Southampton to Long Beach, California.
18. 18In 1972, the Queen Mary was converted into a hotel and tourist attraction in Long Beach. The conversion included the installation of new plumbing and electrical systems, as well as the addition of modern amenities like air conditioning and elevators.

Current Status and Legacy

Today, the Queen Mary remains a beloved landmark and a popular tourist attraction, offering visitors a glimpse into a bygone era of luxury and maritime history.

19. 19The Queen Mary is a popular tourist attraction and hotel in Long Beach, California. Visitors can explore her grand staterooms, dining rooms, and other historic areas of the ship.
20. 20She also hosts various events and exhibitions throughout the year.
21. 21The legacy of the Queen Mary continues to inspire generations, symbolizing luxury and speed in an era of transatlantic travel.
22. 22During her departure from John Brown Shipyard in March 1935, the Queen Mary underwent anchor trials and adjustments to her magnetic compasses off Gourock, Scotland. This ensured that her navigation systems were accurate for her maiden voyage.
23. 23To save weight, twenty of the Queen Mary's lifeboats were left off the ship during her departure from John Brown Shipyard. These lifeboats were manufactured in Gourock and were lifted into their davits upon arrival.
24. 24The Queen Mary departed John Brown Shipyard on March 24, 1935, steaming down the Clyde River to Gourock. Despite prior dredging of the river and her shallow draft, she went aground twice during this journey.
25. 25Before her maiden voyage, King Edward VIII made an inspection tour of the ship. This visit highlighted the royal connection and prestige associated with the Queen Mary.
26. 26The Queen Mary faced several challenges during her first crossing. She went aground twice and required adjustments to her magnetic compasses. Despite these issues, she successfully completed her maiden voyage from Southampton to New York City.

Notable Events and Records

The Queen Mary has been part of many significant events and has set numerous records throughout her illustrious career.

27. 27On October 8, 1938, the Queen Mary docked without the aid of tugboats in New York City. This achievement set a new world record for docking speed.
28. 28The Queen Mary won back the Blue Riband from the Normandie on August 15, 1938. She held this record until the end of her peacetime service.
29. 29During World War II, the Queen Mary underwent significant changes to serve as a troopship. Her elegant furnishings were removed and stored in warehouses; much of the ship was painted navy gray to evade enemy detection.
30. 30The Queen Mary transported over 15,000 men during World War II. Some of these men were ill or injured from battles; areas of the ship were converted into makeshift hospitals with doctors and nurses treating troops.
31. 31After World War II ended, the Queen Mary resumed her role as a passenger liner. She continued offering luxurious transatlantic voyages until her final voyage from Southampton to Long Beach in 1967.
32. 32In 1972, after being retired from service as a passenger liner, the Queen Mary was converted into a hotel and tourist attraction in Long Beach. This conversion included installing new plumbing and electrical systems as well as adding modern amenities like air conditioning and elevators.
33. 33Today, visitors can explore various historic areas of the Queen Mary including grand staterooms and dining rooms. She also hosts various events and exhibitions throughout the year.
34. 34During her first crossing in 1936 ten stowaways were discovered on board highlighting challenges faced by ship owners preventing unauthorized passengers boarding vessels.
35. 35Construction halted December 1931 due Great Depression hull plating was 80% completed work resumed after securing financial support.
36. 36In 1934 Cunard Line merged White Star Line forming Cunard White Star Line allowing completion projects stalled due financial constraints.
37. 37Launched September 26th moved nearby fitting basin further work began installing boilers around date installation engines heavy machinery completed November sixth.
38. 38Departure John Brown Shipyard March twenty-fourth underwent anchor trials adjustments magnetic compasses off Gourock ensuring navigation systems accurate maiden voyage.
39. 39Twenty lifeboats left off ship departure John Brown Shipyard manufactured Gourock lifted davits arrival.
40. 40Departed John Brown Shipyard March twenty-fourth steaming Clyde River Gourock despite prior dredging shallow draft grounded twice journey.
41. 41Before maiden voyage King Edward VIII made inspection tour highlighting royal connection prestige associated Queen Mary.
42. 42Faced several challenges first crossing went aground twice required adjustments magnetic compasses successfully completed maiden voyage Southampton New York City.
43. 43Offered numerous luxury amenities passengers including elaborate dining rooms opulent staterooms swimming pools tennis courts dog kennels state-of-the-art radio systems.
44. 44Carried passengers including famous comedian Bob Hope millions gold bullion final peacetime voyage August thirty-first nineteen thirty-nine.
45. 45Docked without aid tugboats New York City October eighth nineteen thirty-eight setting world record docking speed.
46. 46Won back Blue Riband Normandie August fifteenth nineteen thirty-eight held record end peacetime service.
47. 47Underwent significant changes serve troopship during World War II elegant furnishings removed stored warehouses much painted navy gray evade enemy detection transported over fifteen thousand men some ill injured battles areas converted makeshift hospitals doctors nurses treating troops.
48. 48Resumed role passenger liner post-war continued offering luxurious transatlantic voyages until final voyage Southampton Long Beach nineteen sixty-seven.
49. 49Converted hotel tourist attraction nineteen seventy-two included installing plumbing electrical systems adding modern amenities air conditioning elevators.
50. 50Today visitors explore historic areas including grand staterooms dining rooms hosts various events exhibitions throughout year.

The Queen Mary's Lasting Legacy

The RMS Queen Mary stands as a testament to a bygone era of luxury and innovation. From her construction during the Great Depression to her service as a troopship in World War II, she has seen it all. Now a hotel and tourist attraction in Long Beach, California, she continues to captivate visitors with her rich history and grandeur. Her transformation from a luxurious ocean liner to a wartime "Grey Ghost" and finally to a floating museum and hotel showcases her versatility and enduring appeal. Whether you're a history buff or just curious, the Queen Mary offers a unique glimpse into maritime history. Her legacy of speed, luxury, and resilience ensures she remains an iconic symbol of transatlantic travel for generations to come.