More Views Along The Decks Of The Queen Mary

Being able to walk the decks of a massive 1930s liner such as the Queen Mary today is to me a wonderous thing. While most historic non-war ships have met the breakers years ago, this one survives all alone. The efforts made by the City of Long Beach way back in 1967 to acquire the ship must be recognized, despite the consistent errors in decision making during her conversion. That she still survives in a mostly intact form is pure miracle. And for now, we can visit her any day of the year, and even stay aboard her in one of her many hotel rooms, many of which reflect their original decor.

Bungee Tower next to Queen Mary in 1996

Here is a wide angle photograph of the ship from the edge of the rock wall surrounding the ship. We see a massive bungee-jumping tower next to the ship. While certainly an ugly addition to the profile of the ship from any angle, it certainly did allow for some ambitious photographers to get a high angle view of the ship. I would have done the same had it not been closed the day I was at the ship.

Sun Deck Port Side

Here is a view of the port side of Sun Deck in June, 1996. Currently this area should be completed and open to visitors. Marine plywood is being laid as a foundation over the steel deck and below the teak decking. The scraps of teak decking seen in the foreground on the workbench are said to be now given away as souveniers to current Captains Club Members.

Sun Deck Teak Restoration

Here is the same area seen from the opposite angle. It is encouraging to see the teak looking so new and clean. The main purpose of this work is to prevent the decking below from rusting and leaking on to the Promenade Deck.

Port Side Sun Deck Awaiting Restoration

Here is the area just forward of the last picture on the port side of Sun Deck. The teak is being pressure washed in preparation for the resotration. The grey color here is a result of not applying oil to the decking on a regular basis, which allows the teak to dry out and weather much more quickly. The cost of maintaing the teak decking is absurdly high. An observer aboard QE2 would notice the teak on that ship, 30 years old now, is still warm in color due to proper maintenance.

High Up on Sports Deck, Starboard Side

Here we are high up on Sports Deck on the starboard side of the ship. The structure you see to the right is the dome over the First Class Lounge located on Promenade Deck. The air conditioning units were added during the Long Beach conversion days between 1968-71.

Sports Deck, Starboard Side

Here is another view up on Sports Deck on the Starboard side. We are standing in the same position as the last photograph, now looking towards the bow. Up ahead of us on the left was the indoor squash/raquet court. All the air conditioning equipment you see was added during the Long Beach conversion. The Queen Mary had airconditioning only in the First Class Lounge and Dining Rooms during her service career, unlike the Queen Elizabeth which was retrofitted with it throughout the entire ship in the early 1960s, as Cunard planned for the QE to sail in to the mid 1970s while retiring the Queen Mary in the mid 1960s. Soaring oil prices combined with fewer and fewer passengers sailing aboard the Queens spelled their demise (It is said that one November crossing in the mid-1960s, the Queen Elizabeth carried only 145 passengers!!!).

Queen Mary's Highest Deck

Here we are standing atop what was the gymnasium. While this was not formerly a deck of the ship, it was teak decking therefore served some purpose. The strange discoloring of the second funnel seen here is an anomoly of electronic conversion of this image, and is not reflected in the original slide. It is a shame the original funnels were in such a state of disrepair when they were removed in 1968. It is said they were held together by paint! When releaved of the guide wires that held them up as they were placed on the dockside, it is said they literally crumbled. These new ones are smooth, unlike the rivited funnels the Queen Mary was originally equipped with until their demolition in 1968.