Queen Mary Historical Site

An Artist looks at the Queen Mary

This collection of views sketched of this great ship, was decided while watching the reactions of people having fun while visiting the ship. The towering bow, as seen from ground level, with the anchor in place seemed to dramatically show how really big the Queen Mary is, expressing not only the mission of the great ship to travel but how huge it becomes as it growes from the narrow bow.

The gracefully curved stern, with it's British Flag waving in the sea breeze, points with pride to the ships country of origin. It was here that passengers participated in "Skeet Shooting" while the ship was underway. Today special events and fireworks shows are injoyed on these rear decks.

The classic English telephone booths on board, though not a part of the ships original equipment, are fun areas for visitors on the ship. I have seen couples romantically walking the decks arm in arm, exploring the ship, break apart and enter the booths and call each other. There is something inherently romantic about a trip on an ocean liner even if it isn't going anywhere.

If there was one thing that young children really had fun with, it was the huge anchor that was on display in one of the ships museums. They would walk around and around looking at it. The anchor drawing has always started a conversation, especially with children.

The ships bell seems to awaken memories of past travels with people sharing tales and adventures they had aboard the ship. These stories are listened to by younger generations never having the experienced the joys of sailing on the Queen.

During the years of World War II, the ship was converted to a troop transport. During that time it was renamed "The Gray Ghost". Those turbulent years are represented by an anti-aircraft gun left over from the war, and reminding us of this ships contribution. This great ship was fast enough to run away from submarines and it was never hit it by attacking aircraft. There is a quiet respect and the sharing of war time memories among the older senior veterans as they visit this display from the war years.

The funnels look large from the dock but when you stand under them on the upper deck you realize their the size and height are enormous. When the Queen was constructed these were the tallest funnels ever built. They are of a diameter that contemporary steam locomotives could use as tunnels. The drawing shows the ships horn and early navigation devices on the forward stack from the level of the bridge deck.

William R. Johnston
Artist