The Historic Queen Mary in Long Beach, California
A landmark of Long Beach, California, the historic Queen Mary ocean liner has temporarily closed to undergo critical repairs needed to preserve this remarkable piece of history.
Constructed by Britain’s Cunard line in 1936, this luxury ocean liner entertained esteemed guests from both sides of the Atlantic. Moreover, during World War II, it served the war effort before being retired to Long Beach in 1967. Since then, it has functioned as both a tourist attraction and a hotel, offering visitors a glimpse into its glorious past.
After years of neglected maintenance, the Queen Mary now requires over $5 million in immediate repairs.
Significantly, the ship’s lifeboats have deteriorated, causing stress to the vessel’s shell and leading to cracks in its support system. Consequently, engineers have determined that the lifeboats will be removed and preserved while the city seeks museums or non-profits interested in restoration efforts.
How the Queen Mary Ended Up in Long Beach
The Queen Mary completed a remarkable 1,001 transatlantic trips during her operational years, transporting elite guests including Hollywood celebrities, royalty, and political dignitaries—even playing a vital role during World War II by carrying troops across the ocean.
When the Cunard Line built the ship in the early 1930s, it spared no expense. On its maiden voyage, the Queen Mary “boasted five dining areas and lounges, two cocktail bars, swimming pools, a grand ballroom, a squash court, and even a small hospital,” according to the Queen Mary’s website.
Inspired by the Art Deco design trends of the 1920s and 30s, the ship symbolized luxury transatlantic travel, hosting prominent figures like Bob Hope, Clark Gable, and Winston Churchill between 1936 and 1966.
As air travel gained popularity, however, ocean liners began to dwindle in significance, and the Queen Mary took her final voyage in 1966.
In 1967, the ship was permanently moored at Long Beach, California, where it became an iconic landmark. Today, it attracts both day visitors exploring the historic vessel and overnight guests enjoying one of its 367 restored staterooms.
When Will the Queen Mary Reopen?
Following the previous owners’ bankruptcy and the relinquishing of the lease, the city of Long Beach assumed control of the iconic vessel in June 2021.
In this context, the city carried out a thorough assessment of the essential repairs required.
Robert Garcia, mayor of Long Beach, stated, “It is our responsibility to preserve the Queen Mary and ensure this historic landmark is properly cared for. Now that the city has full oversight and control of the Queen, it’s important we make the critical repairs needed.”
The city does not yet have a precise timeline for the duration of the first phase of repairs or when the vessel might reopen to tourists. However, there is optimism that if repairs proceed without setbacks, visitors may return to this historic ocean liner by late 2022.
