Guarding the port of Long Beach, California, the retired British ocean liner – Queen Mary – floats silently like a ghost. For most of us, she is a nostalgic memento of a bygone era. But few of those who marvel at the beauty of Queen Mary ship know the history of this Los Angeles icon.
The Birth of a Marvel
The construction and launch of the Queen Mary ship was nothing short of extraordinary and her history is very unique. Despite being built in the era of the Great Depression, the ship was destined from the start to stand out. She was supposed to be bigger, faster and even more powerful than the Titanic.
With a desire to replace the Mauretania, Cunard Line spared no expense. They managed to build the most luxurious and technologically advanced ocean liner at the time. Although Queen Mary’s construction started in 1930, it took a long time to complete because of the Depression. However, on May 27, 1936 the ocean liner was finally ready to take her maiden voyage.
How Did the Queen Mary Ship Get Its Name?
The legend has it that when the construction was finished, the board of directors at Cunard decided to name her the Queen Victoria, after one of England’s most beloved queens. The delegation went to ask King George V for his blessing on the proposed name. “We have decided to name our new ship after England’s greatest Queen.”
They were referring to Queen Victoria, the King George’s grandmother, of course. But the King quickly said: “My wife (Queen Mary) will be delighted that you are naming the ship after her.” And so, the ship was named Queen Mary instead of Queen Victoria.
Aboard the Luxurious Queen Mary
Because it was designed for transatlantic travel, the Queen Mary Ship was equipped with five dining rooms and lounges, two cocktail bars, swimming pools, a grand ballroom, a squash court and even a small hospital.
The ship was boasting elegance and grandeur. She was the grandest ocean liner in the world, hosting the world’s rich and famous across the Atlantic. Hollywood celebrities like Clark Gable, Greta Garbo, or David Niven, royalty like the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, and dignitaries like Winston Churchill, are just a few of the big names that traveled aboard the Queen Mary.
From a Luxury Ocean Liner to a Troopship
But the ship’s days of glory weren’t meant to last long. As World II started, Queen Mary was transformed into a troopship and painted a grey color for camouflage and stripped off of all her luxurious amenities. The former opulent lounges were now filled with bunks up to the ceiling.
The ship even lost her name, as they nicknamed her “The Gray Ghost.” But because of the stealth and plain color, she was the largest and fastest troopship to sail. The ship was capable of transporting as many as 16,000 troops.
By the end of World War II, Queen Mary (a.k.a. The Gray Ghost) had carried more than 800,000 troops and traveled more than 600,000 miles. She had also survived a collision at sea, and participated in the D-Day invasion.
The Post-War History of the Queen Mary Ship
After the war, the Queen Mary ship underwent major retrofitting and was brought back to her original splendor. She resumed regular passenger service across the Atlantic for the next two decades.
But as the years passed and people started using air travel for their transatlantic voyages, the ship’s popularity decreased more and more. In 1965 Cunard decided to retire the legendary Queen Mary and sell her.
A Good Place for Retirement
In October 1967, Queen Mary departed on her final cruise arriving in California, where she has been floating ever since. The City of Long Beach bought the Queen Mary to serve as a tourist attraction, so the ship’s story didn’t quite end.
The Queen Mary ship is now a hotel and an event venue. She is also home to three world-class restaurants and a museum. You can tour the Queen Mary at your own pace with an audio tour daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Or you can join one of the various guided tours. And if you are ghost lover, there are several twilight tours (Paranormal Investigation, Paranormal Ship Walk, Dining with the Spirits).
On February 5, 2015, Cunard’s newest ocean liner – The Queen Elizabeth – made a stop in Long Beach to visit her old relative, Queen Mary. This ‘Royal Rendezvous‘ is the fourth time in over three decades that another Cunard ship has visited the legendary Queen Mary.
The Queen Mary is today one of the most beloved attractions in Los Angeles. At Christmas time, the ship hosts parties, performances and live entertainment. So if you are looking for some fun things to do in Los Angeles in December, don’t miss the Queen Mary party!
NOTE:
Queen Mary Ship is currently undergoing some critical repairs and is closed to the public. The 5 million dollars project which started in March, 2022 is scheduled to finish by the end of the year.
Gladys Bain McKay
I migrated to the US on the Queen Mary ship leaving Southampton Thursday Feb. 18 and arriving Feb. 23, 1945. It was the worst storm at sea in fifteen years. Missed all the good food as had to survive on Canada Dry ginger ale and saltines. Good food would have been really great as I was coming from Scotland after WW II. And lived thru ration books. We came in February as the fare was cheaper.
Anda
That must have been quite an experience, Gladys. I can only imagine how awful it might have been to have to be out in the open ocean during such a terrible storm.
Selinda
Love the Queen Mary my mother and grandparents took me there as a kid with my siblings. My mother told us she seen people dancing however, it wasn’t from our time . Later I have a daughter who was turning 10 at the time she 23 years old now and let me tell you we haven’t been back since yes it you’re looking for a haunted tour or ghost you will definitely see them on the Queen Mary.
Anda
Queen Mary has the reputation of being a haunted ship, but I personally never experienced any paranormal activity on this boat. I would be really scared if I did, lol!
Paul Kelley
My father is a World War II Veteran who fought in the Battle of the Bulge. He was transported to Europe on the Grey Ghost. I have read that Hitler even put a price on her head. When I lived in Southern California my parents visited me from Nebraska. I thought my Dad would enjoy a tour of the Queen Mary and he even seemed all in. Until we got to the Quarterdeck where he froze and said he’d already seen it and didn’t need to see it again. I had never seen anything like that from Dad. PTSD is a real thing. My Dad passed away in November 2018. Thank you for your service Dad.
Anda
Dear Paul,
Your story is really moving. I’m so sorry about your loss. Your dad was a hero for fighting in the war. It’s hard to imagine what he must have been through. Indeed, the horrors of war have affected all those who lived through it. Thank you for telling me about him.
Paul Messina
Yes, Sir. Thank you for your service. Paul J Messina USCGA
Emma Hart
It’s always really interesting to find out about the history of a ship, especially when they have a past as interesting as this one! Have you been on it now it’s got the works class restaurants on board?
Kenneth Matisek
My girlfriend and her daughter were down i Long beach this past weekend, we went to go see the Queen Mary only to find out it was closed. What made it even worse was how we were treated by one of the woman security guards, she was very rude and disrespectful,😡
Anda
I’m so sorry to hear about your experience! Last month Queen Mary entered a repair project, but that’s not a reason for the guard to be rude to those trying to visit it.
Karilyn
I need to get down to Long Beach to see the Queen Mary! I have seen it briefly during a music festival years ago, but I was not in the right frame of mind to really let it all soak in.
Elaine J. Masters
I lived in Long Beach for awhile and admired the Queen Mary from afar. It wasn’t until we had a wedding nearby that I returned to tour the ship and enjoy the Sunday Brunch. Loved the retro feel and Art Deco embellishments. Glad I didn’t run into the legendary ghost.
Anda Galffy
Me, neither, Elaine. I’d love to do the ghost tour.
Muriel
That’s so cool that the ship is a hotel now! I would love to spend the night and just learn about all of the history. I wonder if it’s haunted since it’s so old and has been through so many hands/repairs.
Suze the Luxury Columnist
How fascinating, have you been on board? I’d love to participate in the Weekly Postcard in future
Suze | LuxuryColumnist
Judy Charlotte
Now I want to go to Queen Mary.
Vlad
Thanks for the great story! I’ve never been on a cruise ship like this one, but I’ve always wanted to. Love the vignette effect in the picture, it makes it look so good! 🙂
Anda Galffy
Thank you Vlad. This is an older picture.
Linda Bibb
Dan and I laughed at the story of how the ship got its name.
When I was in California years ago I had planned to have lunch aboard the ship, but as luck would have it, it was not in port. Such a disappointment. Thanks for reminding me of something I need to do the next time I’m in the area. 🙂
Anda Galffy
Hope you’ll come back to visit Queen Mary, Linda.
Mary {The World Is A Book}
I’ve always admired the Queen Mary whenever we go to Long Beach. Although, we’ve never gone inside for a tour. I’d also want to spend the night one of these days. It has such a rich history. Thanks for all the interesting information.
Steve Oliver
Anda, thanks for a great description of the Queen Mary. I would also add that the beach trail along Long Beach is great for both a sunny walk, and is a great place to bring your bike.
Thanks for hosting #TheWeeklyPostcard — it’s always a treat to follow so many great stories and pictures.
Steve
Isabella
What a history, Anda!
Queen Mary serving in the military and then coming back to life again after the war. I know she’s “only” the ship, but in a symbolic meaning, isn’t it what happened to every woman during the war? Now she’s just retired… 😉
[email protected]
I like the idea of the ghost tours. They say that statistically most cruises have a few deaths.
Anda Galffy
I haven’t been on the Ghost Tour, but I’m tempted to try it sometimes. I am only 45 minutes away from Long Beach.