*QUEEN MARY* Turns 90 Years Old! | HISTORY

Summary

The RMS Queen Mary, a symbol of hope and resilience, was constructed during the Great Depression. Despite economic challenges and a temporary halt in construction, she was completed with government support after Cunard merged with White Star Line. Launched in 1934, she became an iconic ocean liner, offering luxurious transatlantic travel and later serving as a troopship in WWII. Today, she rests as a retired legend in Long Beach, CA.

Takeaways

• 🚢 The RMS Queen Mary was conceived amidst the Great Depression and symbolized hope and bravery.
• 🌊 The ship was designed to be the fastest and largest to reclaim the title of the world's fastest ocean liner.
• 🏭 Construction began at John Brown shipyard in Clydebank, Scotland, and was initially halted due to the economic crisis.
• 💼 Cunard Line faced financial difficulties and had to halt construction, leading to job losses in Clydebank.
• 📨 Public support and contributions helped persuade Cunard to continue building the ship.
• 🤝 The British Parliament provided a loan under the condition that Cunard merged with the White Star Line.
• 👑 The ship was named RMS Queen Mary in honor of Queen Mary and launched with great fanfare.
• 🎨 The interior was designed by over 30 artists and featured luxurious materials and amenities across three classes.
• 🚀 During sea trials, the Queen Mary achieved her fastest speed of 32.84 knots.
• 🎵 The ship's maiden voyage was celebrated with a special musical piece composed by Henry Hall.
• 🌐 The Queen Mary became a symbol of triumph over adversity and is now retired in Long Beach, California.

Q & A

What was the RMS Queen Mary designed to represent?

The RMS Queen Mary was designed to embody the hope, bravery, and spirit of the interwar generation.

Which company was in competition with the White Star Line to build bigger and faster ocean liners?

The Cunard Line was in competition with the White Star Line.

Why did Cunard Line decide to halt construction on the RMS Queen Mary?

Cunard Line halted construction due to a lack of funds caused by the Great Depression and low ticket sales.

What was the significance of the French Line's announcement in relation to Cunard Line's decision to build the RMS Queen Mary?

The French Line's announcement to build a new ocean liner that would dominate the competition prompted Cunard Line to construct the RMS Queen Mary to regain supremacy over the Atlantic.

How did the British public respond to the halt in construction of the RMS Queen Mary?

The British public sent letters and small contributions to Sir Percey Bates, chairman of Cunard Line, urging him to continue work on the ship and keep people employed.

What was the condition set by the British Parliament for providing a loan to Cunard Line to complete the RMS Queen Mary?

The condition was that Cunard Line must merge with the White Star Line to consolidate their debts.

Why was the RMS Queen Mary's maiden voyage significant?

The maiden voyage of the RMS Queen Mary was significant because it symbolized a triumph over the Great Depression and marked the return of optimism in the United Kingdom.

What was the fastest achievable speed of the RMS Queen Mary during her sea trials?

The RMS Queen Mary's fastest achievable speed during her sea trials was 32.84 knots.

How did the RMS Queen Mary honor the Titanic during her maiden voyage?

As the RMS Queen Mary passed the spot where the Titanic sank, the crew tossed a wreath of red roses into the sea in honor of those who lost their lives.

What was the name of the musical piece composed by Henry Hall specifically for the RMS Queen Mary?

The musical piece composed by Henry Hall for the RMS Queen Mary was called 'Somewhere at Sea'.

Where is the RMS Queen Mary currently located?

The RMS Queen Mary is currently retired and located in the City of Long Beach, CA.