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RMS Queen Mary: 101 Questions and Answers About the Great Transatlantic Liner
Even before her launch RMS Queen Mary earned a special place in history. Job number 534, as the new Cunard liner was known, was Britain's largest passenger ship by far. In 1930 construction was begun, but as the stranglehold of The Depression tightened, Cunard announced that work was to cease. The half-finished hull sat on Clydebank for over two years, but was far from forgotten.
For the people of Britain, 534 became a beacon of hope; a barometer of the nation's economy. And so it was no coincidence that on the day work at John Brown's shipyard resumed, prices on the London Stock Exchange shot up. A new age had dawned. Without so much as entering the water, the new ship had won the hearts and minds of the British public. A few months later the first of a long line of 'firsts' began for the new liner. Britain's first ship over 1000 feet in length was ready to be launched. It would be the first occasion of its kind it to be reported live by BBC radio; and for the first time the consort of a reigning British monarch would do the honors.
The liner's 31-year ocean-going career would break countless records and rewrite history. And her popularity soon spread across the Atlantic as she won the affection of America. Today she is enjoying retirement in the sun in Pier J, Long Beach, California as a floating hotel and events center. Author David Ellery poses the 101 most crucial questions about her, from design, construction and machinery to stories concerning her name, interior design, and retirement, and provides detailed but concise answers to each one.
How fast was Queen Mary? Is it true the Queen Mary is haunted? Is the new Queen Mary 2 anything like the original Queen Mary? The result is a thoroughly engaging and informative book that provides the essential information to the world's very last remaining 1930s superliner.
For the people of Britain, 534 became a beacon of hope; a barometer of the nation's economy. And so it was no coincidence that on the day work at John Brown's shipyard resumed, prices on the London Stock Exchange shot up. A new age had dawned. Without so much as entering the water, the new ship had won the hearts and minds of the British public. A few months later the first of a long line of 'firsts' began for the new liner. Britain's first ship over 1000 feet in length was ready to be launched. It would be the first occasion of its kind it to be reported live by BBC radio; and for the first time the consort of a reigning British monarch would do the honors.
The liner's 31-year ocean-going career would break countless records and rewrite history. And her popularity soon spread across the Atlantic as she won the affection of America. Today she is enjoying retirement in the sun in Pier J, Long Beach, California as a floating hotel and events center. Author David Ellery poses the 101 most crucial questions about her, from design, construction and machinery to stories concerning her name, interior design, and retirement, and provides detailed but concise answers to each one.
How fast was Queen Mary? Is it true the Queen Mary is haunted? Is the new Queen Mary 2 anything like the original Queen Mary? The result is a thoroughly engaging and informative book that provides the essential information to the world's very last remaining 1930s superliner.
112 pages, Hardcover
First published June 30, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
July 23, 2022
This, small, quick read poses questions 101 about its topic, the “RMS Queen Mary”. Beginning with a short history and a timeline, it traces the 1926 concept of two superliners, construction of which was interrupted by the Great Depression, through “Queen Mary’s” 1936 maiden voyage, her service as a troop carrier during World War II, her post-war return to the North Atlantic route, retirement, conversion to a hotel/community focal point in Long Beach, California and ends with her unknown future.
Questions are categorized into ten topics: Facts, Building and Launch, Design and Technology, Crew and Passengers, Life Aboard, War Years, End of an Era, New Beginning and Heavy Weather. The concise questions and answers average three to four per two-page face. Black and white and color photos add visual images to the text. They cover the vessel from fore to aft and from construction at Clydebank to berth at Long Beach. They depict riggings and propellers, shops, dining and play rooms, kitchens and lounges, captains, kings (think Duke of Windsor) and stars (like John Wayne). Do not miss the period advertisements that still tantalize the imagination. the decks are illustrated by seven diagrams. The Bibliography is a guide for those seeking for more.
Author David Ellery has packed a lot into 128, undersized pages. I gained a much broader knowledge about the vessel from these pages. I now appreciate just how unique this massive liner with its art deco and three classes truly is. The Queen Mary is not an it with a timeline, but a she with a lifetime, in which she has played many roles. Depression delayed her construction by twenty-seven months. By her maiden voyage she was the monarch of the seas. After a war-time makeover she transported troops to and from war zones. With peace she returned to Trans-Atlantic passenger service.
“RM Queen Mary” is an easy read that provides a great introduction to the golden age of Transatlantic liners.
I did receive a free copy of this book without an obligation to post a review.
Questions are categorized into ten topics: Facts, Building and Launch, Design and Technology, Crew and Passengers, Life Aboard, War Years, End of an Era, New Beginning and Heavy Weather. The concise questions and answers average three to four per two-page face. Black and white and color photos add visual images to the text. They cover the vessel from fore to aft and from construction at Clydebank to berth at Long Beach. They depict riggings and propellers, shops, dining and play rooms, kitchens and lounges, captains, kings (think Duke of Windsor) and stars (like John Wayne). Do not miss the period advertisements that still tantalize the imagination. the decks are illustrated by seven diagrams. The Bibliography is a guide for those seeking for more.
Author David Ellery has packed a lot into 128, undersized pages. I gained a much broader knowledge about the vessel from these pages. I now appreciate just how unique this massive liner with its art deco and three classes truly is. The Queen Mary is not an it with a timeline, but a she with a lifetime, in which she has played many roles. Depression delayed her construction by twenty-seven months. By her maiden voyage she was the monarch of the seas. After a war-time makeover she transported troops to and from war zones. With peace she returned to Trans-Atlantic passenger service.
“RM Queen Mary” is an easy read that provides a great introduction to the golden age of Transatlantic liners.
I did receive a free copy of this book without an obligation to post a review.
September 2, 2013
We had been of the Queen Mary earlier this year and one of my work colleagues loaned me this book. Very informative and factual and great to see the photos of this great icon during its 31 years of varied active service. It has now been moored at Long Beach in L.A. Longer than it was in service. A must visit for anyone with a hint of interest in nostalgia, particularly British Art Deco.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews