In the last couple of years there have been a number rather alarming articles in the UK press about the current state of the beautiful Queen Mary at Long Beach. Some claiming that she's in an utterly dire state.
But of course we should always take newspaper talk with a wee pinch of salt (especially if it's the Daily Mail !)
Do any sons and daughters of California that post on ET who actually live within reasonable visiting distance of the Queen Mary (or who have the ear of contractors, civil servants, local politicians or the current ships staff) know how things really are ?
Here's a question that might perhaps have to be considered one day -
If the costs of repairing and maintaining the Queen Mary ever became too much for Long Beach and no private investors were forthcoming, would it be perhaps be kinder to take her out and sink her with full naval honours possibly to become a marine habitat or diving attraction ?
Now, I'm not proud of suggesting that, not one bit, but unfortunately there may come a day when it comes to that I fear.
For the second part of my post, what do you think of this tale ?
A few years ago at the Scottish Maritime Museum, I got talking to an old boy who was really passionate about the Queen Mary. His father and uncles all had worked on her at John Brown's, and he had followed in their footsteps to help build the QEII. He wasn't all that happy with the people who run her though.
He and a group of others had sent a letter to the company that run her if they would be intersted in hosting a modest exhibit on the history of the town of Clydebank, John Brown's yard, Clyde ship building past & present, the Clydebank Blitz etc.
He felt that the story of the thousands of men who built the Queen Mary and the symbol of hope she became for the workers and their families during the Great Depression on Clydeside deserved to be told aboard her at Long Beach. He said that they had photographs, plans, maps and models they willing to loan for such an exhibit.
However they were told in no uncertain terms that their idea was not welcome and they felt that visitors would not be interested in it.
Now this was a few years ago and of course, this was just the old chap's side of the story. Is there anything currently on the ship concerning the building of her and the men who made it happen ?
I must say I think would be nice if Clydebank and Southampton eventually received custody of a propeller each to put on public display. But that's just my meaningless opinion.
Your thoughts ?
But of course we should always take newspaper talk with a wee pinch of salt (especially if it's the Daily Mail !)
Do any sons and daughters of California that post on ET who actually live within reasonable visiting distance of the Queen Mary (or who have the ear of contractors, civil servants, local politicians or the current ships staff) know how things really are ?
Here's a question that might perhaps have to be considered one day -
If the costs of repairing and maintaining the Queen Mary ever became too much for Long Beach and no private investors were forthcoming, would it be perhaps be kinder to take her out and sink her with full naval honours possibly to become a marine habitat or diving attraction ?
Now, I'm not proud of suggesting that, not one bit, but unfortunately there may come a day when it comes to that I fear.
For the second part of my post, what do you think of this tale ?
A few years ago at the Scottish Maritime Museum, I got talking to an old boy who was really passionate about the Queen Mary. His father and uncles all had worked on her at John Brown's, and he had followed in their footsteps to help build the QEII. He wasn't all that happy with the people who run her though.
He and a group of others had sent a letter to the company that run her if they would be intersted in hosting a modest exhibit on the history of the town of Clydebank, John Brown's yard, Clyde ship building past & present, the Clydebank Blitz etc.
He felt that the story of the thousands of men who built the Queen Mary and the symbol of hope she became for the workers and their families during the Great Depression on Clydeside deserved to be told aboard her at Long Beach. He said that they had photographs, plans, maps and models they willing to loan for such an exhibit.
However they were told in no uncertain terms that their idea was not welcome and they felt that visitors would not be interested in it.
Now this was a few years ago and of course, this was just the old chap's side of the story. Is there anything currently on the ship concerning the building of her and the men who made it happen ?
I must say I think would be nice if Clydebank and Southampton eventually received custody of a propeller each to put on public display. But that's just my meaningless opinion.
Your thoughts ?
