A Story of History, Elegance, and GrandeurThe Grand Launch of The Queen Mary
The Queen Mary’s creation and launch was nothing but extraordinary and her story is rich with history, elegance, and grandeur. From the time her construction began in 1930 in Clydebank, Scotland, Queen Mary was destined to stand in a class all her own. Despite suffering economic setbacks during the Great Depression, which stalled construction on the ship for several years, Cunard Line spared no expense on building The Queen Mary – which was originally known as job #534.
The Legend Behind the Name
Legend has it that the board of directors at Cunard decided to name the ship the Queen Victoria, which would have been in keeping with the tradition of Cunard ships having the "ia" suffix (Mauretania, Aquitania, and Berengeria). As per protocol, legend states that the Cunard directors asked King George his blessing of the ship's proposed name, saying, "We have decided to name our new ship after England's greatest Queen," meaning Queen Victoria, the King's Grandmother. Upon which the King is reported to have stated, "My wife (Queen Mary) will be delighted that you are naming the ship after her."
The Maiden Voyage of The Queen Mary
On May 27, 1936, The Queen Mary departed from Southampton, England, embarking on her maiden voyage. She boasted five dining areas and lounges, two cocktail bars and swimming pools, a grand ballroom, a squash court, and even a small hospital. The Queen Mary had set a new benchmark in transatlantic travel, which the rich and famous considered as the only civilized way to travel. She quickly seized the hearts and imaginations of the public on both sides of the Atlantic, representing the spirit of an era known for its elegance, class, and style.
The Queen Mary From Liner to Iconic Attraction
Since her retirement from the sea as an active liner in 1967, The Queen Mary has never been more popular as an iconic Southern California attraction, hotel, and venue for special events. The ship carried 2.2 million passengers in peacetime and 810,000 military personnel in the Second World War, but here in Long Beach, an estimated 50 million people have visited. The day the ship was launched in 1934, a well-known English psychic, Lady Mable Fortiscue-Harrison, would predict, “The Queen Mary will know her greatest fame and popularity when she never sails another mile or carries another fare-paying passenger.” A compelling insight!
