Category: Social History
The Stateliest Ship Now in Being: The 90th Anniversary of the Queen Mary’s Launch
It was a rainy September day in Clydebank, Scotland when Britain’s King George V stepped up to the microphone. Before him was a towering steel mountain: the hull of the brand-new ship. He and his wife, Queen Mary, and the Prince of Wales were there to participate in the launching ceremony of this new Cunard-White…
Postcards & Penny Presses: How One New Jersey City Profited from the Morro Castle Disaster
The SS Morro Castle, flagship of the Ward Line, caught fire on September 8, 1934. The Coast Guard attempted to tow the stricken liner but was unsuccessful. The Morro Castle broke free. Onlookers ashore reportedly cheered when the tow line snapped, and the smoldering ship started drifting. She ultimately came to rest on the Jersey…
Tragedy, Mystery, and Exploitation: The Morro Castle Disaster at 90
A disaster was unfolding along the New Jersey coast in the early morning hours of September 8, 1934. The SS Morro Castle, flagship of the Ward Line, was burning out of control in the middle of a fierce storm. Spectators on land could see the orange glow clear as day. Only one SOS call had…
SS Leviathan: The Life and Death of an American Monster
Wednesday, July 4, 1923 was a dull, rainy day in New York. An American monster was about to set sail and there was excitement in the air. That fact that it was Independence Day only added to the occasion. An excited public had gathered to see the gigantic ship at Pier 86. A total of…
Floating Pride: The First LGBTQ+ Cruises
I know…gay cruises are something of a stereotype. They’ve been the butt of many jokes over the years (I’m looking at you, Boat Trip). But the truth is that cruises are very popular with the LGBTQ+ community. Nowadays, passengers have a lot more freedom to openly express themselves and their sexuality. Cruise lines are only…
Friends of Dorothy: A Look at LGBTQ+ Meetups on Cruise Ships
If you’ve ever been on a cruise, have you noticed a “Friends of Dorothy” event listed on the daily schedule and wondered what it was? It’s a discreet way of advertising for a LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, queer/questioning, and more) meetup aboard. Or at least it used to be. Nowadays, “Friends of Dorothy” has…
Ship of Secrets: The Titanic’s LGBTQ+ History
The Titanic is arguably the most famous ship in history. It seems that just about everyone knows the tragic story of the ship and her ill-fated maiden voyage. Books like Walter Lord’s A Night to Remember and the blockbuster film Titanic (1997) have certainly helped with this. But as Bill Paxton’s Brock Lovett said in…