RMS Queen Mary

RMS Queen Mary is a British ocean liner built for Cunard Line and launched in 1934, entering service in 1936.

RMS Queen Mary is a British ocean liner built for the Cunard Line. Launched in 1934 and entering service in 1936, it operated on transatlantic routes and served as a troopship during the Second World War. Retired in 1967, the ship was preserved at Long Beach, California, where it operates as a hotel, museum, and tourist attraction.

History

Queen Mary was constructed in Scotland beginning in 1930 and launched on 26 September 1934 after delays during the Great Depression. She began passenger service with her maiden voyage on 27 May 1936 and became one of Cunard's best-known ocean liners, operating mainly on North Atlantic crossings.

Wartime service

During the Second World War, the ship was converted for troop transport and received grey camouflage paint, earning the nickname “the Grey Ghost.” Extensive military service is documented during the conflict.

Retirement and preservation

Queen Mary was withdrawn from active liner service in 1967 and later acquired by the City of Long Beach. After refurbishment, it reopened as a permanent attraction and continues to operate as a hotel and museum ship.

Legacy

The ship is widely regarded as an iconic example of the Atlantic liner era. It is associated with luxury travel, wartime transport, and historic preservation in Southern California.