Did you know a psychic predicted The Queen Mary would find her greatest fame in retirement? This majestic ship is a testament to history elegance and grandeur. The Queen Mary stands as an iconic attraction. It is a hotel and venue for special events in Southern California.
Construction of The Queen Mary began in 1930 in Clydebank Scotland. She was originally known as job number 534. Economic setbacks during the Great Depression stalled construction for several years. Cunard Line spared no expense building her.
Legend says the ship was almost named Queen Victoria. The Cunard directors sought King George V’s blessing. They said they would name the ship after England’s greatest queen. The King replied his wife Queen Mary would be delighted. So the ship was named The Queen Mary.
The Queen Mary departed on her maiden voyage May 27 1936 from Southampton England. She had five dining areas and lounges. Two cocktail bars and swimming pools also featured. A grand ballroom a squash court and a small hospital were onboard. The Queen Mary set a new standard in transatlantic travel. The rich and famous considered it the only civilized way to travel. She captured the public’s hearts representing an era of elegance class and style.
During World War II The Queen Mary became a troopship. She transported over 800000 military personnel. Her speed made her valuable. It was difficult for German U-boats to catch her. Adolf Hitler allegedly offered a reward to any U-boat commander who sank The Queen Mary. The ship earned the nickname Grey Ghost because of her color and speed. On one trip in 1943 she carried 16683 people a record.
After the war The Queen Mary resumed passenger service. Airplane travel led to dwindling interest in transatlantic liners. In 1967 Long Beach California bought The Queen Mary for 3.45 million dollars. They planned to turn her into a hotel and tourist attraction.
Since 1967 an estimated 50 million people have visited The Queen Mary in Long Beach. The Queen Mary is even listed on the National Register of Historic Places. She is a member of Historic Hotels of America.
The Queen Mary measures 1019.5 feet long. She could carry 2038 passengers. The liner was known as the Ship of Woods because it featured about 50 types of wood. The Queen Mary is full of art deco designs. There are striking murals and paintings.
Interesting fact: The Queen Mary once ran aground off Cherbourg France in 1949.
Today The Queen Mary offers tours hotel stays and restaurants. There are shops and special events. Visitors can explore her history and admire her elegance. The Queen Mary remains a captivating destination a symbol of a bygone era. Her story continues to evolve enchanting visitors from around the world. So step aboard and experience the grandeur of The Queen Mary.