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| Royal Mail Ship Ocean Liner Troop Transport 81,235 Tons 1,019' 4" x 181' x 39' 9" 4 x 40mm   Queen Mary July 1941   William Cosh March 1942  Justin Taylan 2004 |
Ship History Built by John Brown and Company in Clydebank, Scotland. Laid down December 1, 1930 with yard number 534 (hull number 534) as an ocean liner for the Cunard White Star Line registered in Liverpool. During December 1931 construction temporarily ceased due to the Great Depression until Cunard applied for a load from the British Government to complete the vessel and merge with White Star Line. In total, the ship cost 3.5 million pounds and 3 years and 6 months to complete and the nearby River Clyde was widened before completion. Launched September 26, 1934 sponsored by Queen Mary (Mary of Teck) as Royal Mail Ship (RMS) Queen Mary. After her launch the previous steamer with the same name was renamed Queen Mary II. During sea trials, she achieved the speed of 32.84 knots. The Queen Mary had 12 decks, 3 smoke stacks, 24 Yarrow boilers in four boiler rooms and four Parsons turbines in two engine rooms driving four propellers. The interior was designed by the Bromsgrove Guild and capable of accommodating 2,410 passengers in luxury for transatlantic passenger service from Southampton via Cherbourg to New York and return. The vessel's total size and gross tonnage varied over the years due to different configurations. In Lloyd's Register of Ships 1935-1936 listed as 80,774 gross tons. In Lloyd's Register of Ships 1945-1946 listed as 81,235 gross tons. On May 27, 1936 departs Southampton under the command of Sir Edgar Britten on her maiden voyage across the Atlantic Ocean to New York arriving June 1, 1936. During August 1936 earned the Blue Riband with an average speed of 30.14 knots westbound and 30.63 knots eastbound from rival ocean liner Normandie. In 1937, the honor returned to Normandie but was reclaimed in 1938 with the speed of 30.99 westbound and 31.69 knots eastbound that held until 1952. Wartime History In late August 1939 departs New York across the Atlantic escorted by HMS Hood and arrived Southampton. On September 1, 1939 departs Southampton bound for New York when World War II began in Europe. On arrival in New York, ordered to remain in New York with Normandie. During March 1940 Queen Elizabeth joins them and two weeks later Queen Mary departs New York alone bound for Sydney. In Australia, converted into high speed troop transport designated X1 capable of transporting 5,500 personnel. The ocean liner's luxury furnishings were removed and placed into storage including carpet, china, crystal, silverware, tapestries and painting. In military service, armed with anti-aircraft guns and a degaussing coil was added to protect against sea mines. The ship was painted overall gray and nicknamed "The Grey Ghost". Due to her high speed, it was nearly impossible for an enemy submarine to make an attack and often steamed alone but was ordered not to stop under any circumstance so as not to be vulnerable. Once the conversion was completed, embarks Australian Army and New Zealand Army personnel and military cargo bound for the United Kingdom. During August 1940 enters the King George VI Graving Dock at Sembawang Naval Base on Singapore. On October 20, 1940 departs Sydney Harbor bound for the Middle East then onward to the United Kingdom then across the Atlantic Ocean to Boston. Pacific Voyage During early February 1942 designated as S-44 for secrecy, embarks U.S. Army personnel and military cargo including the 101st Anti-Aircraft Artillery (Automatic Weapons) Battalion, 94th Coastal Artillery (AA) Regiment and 104th Coastal Artillery Battalion (AA Separate). On February 17, 1942 in Boston embarks the 43rd Bombardment Group (43rd BG). On February 18, 1942 at noon in secrecy departs Boston Harbor alone and steams eastward then turns south down the east coast of the United States. On February 21, 1942 passes within sight of St. Augustine and at night pass Miami bound for Trinidad to refuel. On February 22, 1942 suddenly reverses course and anchors off Key West and was refueled by two ships while guarded by six subchasers and a flying boat orbiting overhead. On February 23, 1942 at 10:00am resumes to voyage southward and on March 1, 1942 crosses the equator. On March 6, 1942 anchors at Rio de Janeiro to take on provisions and fuel. On March 8, 1942 at 5:00pm departs across the Atlantic Ocean bound for Cape Town. On March 14, 1942 at 7:00am arrives Cape Town. On March 15, 1942 a tug arrives with additional crew members and a group of 30 Australian officers including General Thomas A. Blamey and his wife and pet dog. The same tug embarked 100 personnel that will remain in Africa. On March 15, 1942 at 2:00pm departs via the Indian Ocean bound for Australia. On March 22, 1942 a fire erupted aboard, likely due to faulty electric wiring that was extinguished. On March 23, 1942 at 10:30am arrives Freemantle to quickly refuel and resupply. On March 24, 1942 at 6:35pm departs originally bound for Sumatra, diverted to Sydney. On March 27, 1942 escorted by two destroyers for the last leg of the voyage. On March 28, 1942 enters Sydney Harbor but was too tall to pass under the Sydney Harbor bridge and instead anchors nearby and personnel board a ferry that takes them ashore, ending her first and only Pacific voyage. Afterwards, returns to the United States. Embarked U.S. Army 29th Infantry Division personnel on a voyage across the Atlantic bound for England. On October 2, 1942 in the morning off the coast of Ireland while steaming in evasive zig-zag pattern no. 8, accidentally collided with light cruiser HMS Curacoa (D41) that quickly sank and the Queen Mary suffered fracture damage to the stern but continued the rest of the voyage. On July 25 1943 departs with 16,683 passengers including 943 crew and 15,740 military personnel and set a wartime record for the most passengers ever transported aboard a single ship. Off Scotland, hit by a wave estimated to be 92' / 28m in height that caused the vessel to roll 52° and was in danger of capsizing. On May 25, 1944 spotted by U-853 that submerged to make an attack but Queen Mary steamed away before it could fire any torpedoes. This is the only time an enemy submarine targeted the ocean liner. Postwar In September 1946 refitted for passenger service including upgrades to the passenger berths and the addition of air conditioning system with the conversion completed by July 1947. Afterwards, resumed transatlantic passengers service until jet aircraft began a new era of travel. By 1965 the Cunard Line was operating at a loss. As a final credit, Queen Mary was featured in the film Assault on a Queen (1966) starring Frank Sinatra. During 1967 offered for auction and retired from service on December 9, 1967. Museum During 1967 purchased by the city of Long Beach for a bid of $3.45 million beating other offers including a Japanese company that intended to scrap the vessel. On April 15, 1993 added to the National Register of Historical Places (NRHP). Today displayed as Queen Mary (Museum) permanently docked at Long Beach and open to the public for tours and events. References The Queen Mary official Website Lloyd's of London - Lloyd's Register of Ships Queen Mary Gross tonnage: 81235 Ken's Men Against The Empire The Illustrated History of the 43rd Bombardment Group During World War II Volume I: Prewar to October 1943 The B-17 Era (2020) pages 31 (photo prewar), 31-32, 35-37 (Queen Mary 1942 voyage), 34 (map 1942 voyage Boston to Sydney) Contribute
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