Today, 90 years ago, Cunard White Star’s RMS Queen Mary arrived in New York for the very first time. She had departed Southampton on her maiden voyage on May 27 with hopes of winning the Blue Riband from the French liner Normandie. Bad weather, however, forced her to reduce speed towards the end of the voyage. She would claim the prestigious title just a few months later. Regardless, it marked the beginning of a truly legendary career.
Nine decades later, the Queen Mary is still with us. The old liner is moored in Long Beach, California, and is a popular hotel and tourist attraction. Her builders would no doubt be astonished by that fact—most ocean liners ended their days at the scrapyard. Yet there has always been something extraordinary about the Queen Mary.
A Symbol of National Pride
Even as an unfinished hull in the early 1930s, the ship—then known only as Job No. 534—captivated a nation. To Great Britain and the wider British Empire, she became a symbol of perseverance during the depths of the Great Depression. Countless hopes and dreams were invested in her completion. Finishing the ship became a matter of national pride and determination
It may seem strange to think of ships this way today, but ocean liners were once powerful symbols of national prestige. Floating ambassadors for their countries, they showcased the finest craftsmanship, luxury, service, cuisine, and technology their nations could offer. This was certainly true of the Queen Mary. Yet there’s always seemed to be something more about her—something difficult to define. I think I’d call it a touch of the supernatural (and I’m not talking about the ghosts).
A Living Ship
Walking the Queen Mary’s decks today, you can still feel it. The ship is alive. As Captain John Treasure Jones once said, “The Queen Mary is the closest thing to a living being that I have ever commanded; she even breathes.” I know exactly what he meant, as do others I’ve met over the years.
It’s difficult to put into words.
Ever since I first visited as a young boy, the Queen Mary has felt like home. There’s an unmistakable sense of warmth and joy aboard her—unsurprising since she’s long been known as a happy ship. Passengers and crew alike loved her. Even today, whenever I step aboard, I feel as though she’s welcoming me home once again.
All that said, here’s to the Queen Mary! She survived a global depression, a world war, and the passage of time itself. Since her retirement in 1967, millions have stepped aboard her, and many more will follow in the years ahead. A living ship in every sense, she continues to welcome all those who appreciate her story and spirit.
As the late Commodore Everette Hoard would say, “Maria Regina in saecula saeculorum! Queen Mary unto the ages of ages!”
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