The Queen Mary

The Queen Mary's story is rich with history, elegance and grandeur. From the time her construction began in 1930 in Clydebank, Scotland, she was destined to stand in a class all her own. Upon her Maiden Voyage in 1936 the Queen Mary was considered the grandest ship ever built and the elite of high society considered her the only civilized way to travel. From celebrities like Fred Astaire to dignitaries such as the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, she carried some of the world's most renowned personalities and political leaders.

In 1939, at the start of the World War II, the Queen Mary was drafted into service and outfitted as a troopship. Deemed the Grey Ghost due to her new camouflaged grey exterior, she joined the Allied Forces and played a crucial role in their success. When the war ended, she was restored to her former glory and continued passenger service. In 1966, with the growing popularity of travel by plane, Cunard announced the Queen Mary for sale and closed bidding began. The winning bid was $3.45 million dollars and thus began the ship's transition and new journey to her new home in Long Beach, California.