Save the RMS Queen Mary
The RMS Queen Mary, named after Mary of Teck, is a retired ocean liner docked in the Port of Long Beach. It sailed the Atlantic Ocean from 1936 to 1967. Luxury & Opulence is the key to this Art Deco Dream. Queen Mary was the last great ocean liner built during the golden age of world travel. Elizabeth Taylor, Lucille Ball, Gloria Swanson & Fred Astaire among many other silver screen stars called this sailing palace home while on the voyage to Europe.
During WWII, it was nicknamed the 'Grey Ghost' and transported 765,429 Military Personnel. It became the world's largest and fastest troopship. Winston Churchill even considered it his headquarters at sea. The Queen Mary holds the world record for the most people ever carried on a ship on a single crossing with 16,682 troops.
In 1947, passenger service resumed. Modern amenities such as air conditioning were added but this would not prove to be enough as jet planes began to change the industry and the Queen was soon retired. Queen Mary opened as a tourist attraction in 1971 and continues to delight today with a hotel, museum, and restaurants. The ship in full can be explored at your leisure.
Before the world shut down, I had the privilege to have a private photography tour. Prior management was always supportive of my work and sometimes shared it on their social media. My knowledgeable guides informed me of the dire condition and immediate necessary repairs to stay afloat. Immediate repair estimates are at $5-20 million with future estimates totaling $200 million. The ship is disintegrating from below and is struggling to stay afloat. The City of Long Beach recently approved emergency funding but the future remains unclear. One thing is certain, we cannot sit by and watch another landmark crumble; I cannot imagine a California without it.
