The RMS Queen Mary was designed to be the first of Cunard's express liners serving on the Southampton to New York run. When built the RMS Queen Mary was the largest ocean liner in the world. Her dimensions were awe inspiring, over one thousand feet in length and over one hundred feet wide. The vessel was effectively a floating city, equipped with every possible necessity to serve the needs of the passengers. Today, she may not rank as the largest ocean liner in the world, but is still of comparable size to many modern day cruise liners. She is a remarkable ship and a unique survivor of an era of transatlantic travel never to be repeated. This section contains interesting facts and figures about the RMS Queen Mary.

Timeline

01/12/1930 - Keel laid at John Brown & Company Ltd, Clydebank
26/09/1934 - Launch of shipyard #534 by Her Majesty Queen Mary
24/03/1936 - Sails from the Clyde after eighteen months fitting-out
27/05/1936 - Maiden Voyage from Southampton to New York
15/08/1938 - Wins Blue Riband for fastest Atlantic crossing (until 07/1952)
01/03/1940 - Officially requistioned as a troop ship
02/10/1942 - Runs down and sinks cruiser HMS Curacoa, 331 lives lost
29/09/1946 - War service completed and returned to Cunard-White Star Line
31/07/1947 - Peacetime maiden voyage following ten-month refit
08/05/1967 - Captain receives orders that the Queen Mary is to be sold
27/07/1967 - City of Long Beach buys the Queen Mary for $3.45 million
19/09/1967 - Last scheduled voyage
31/10/1967 - Final voyage including her 1,002 North Atlantic crossing
11/12/1967 - Official retirement to Long Beach, California
09/12/2007 - Fortieth anniversary of her arrival in Long Beach

Dimensions and Configuration

• Link to complete RMS Queen Mary Facts & Figures*