The Dear Old Queen
I had a conference to attend last weekend, and as luck would have it, the organization booked the Queen Mary Hotel. I hadn't been aboard in twenty years, and at that time there was no hotel. It was an OK conference, but it was a wonderful photo opportunity.
Many of my colleagues were booked into tiny below-decks rooms, but I somehow lucked out and got this fabulous stateroom with an ocean view. There was a separate dressing area and bathroom--it was huge and I imagine must have been first-class when the Queen was sailing. She anchored for the final time in 1967.
The spooky hallway leading to my room. The ship is reputed to be haunted, though I encountered no paranormal activity during my stay.
Original ship's fan.
Topside there is more great scenery to photograph. This is an observation tower (I'm sure there's a more nautical term for this), one of two jutting out of the bridge. I like the peeling paint and the creeping rust. The old girl's getting a bit long in the tooth.
Enormous vents and fans everywhere.
The bridge is a wonder. This is a ship's telegraph. I've always had a fascination with this partcular gadget.
There are no shortage of them on the bridge and elsewhere on the ship. There must be one-hundred or more. The circular window in the background is a "high-visibility window" that rotates at high speed to sling off the rain.
On the stern sundeck.
Below deck in the propellor box is the only remaining prop on the ship (there were four). This is a really spooky place that I remember from my childhood visit. The propellor is 18 feet across and I don't remember how many tons, 20 or 40. It's enormous.
The engine room is less spooky but no less interesting a place.
That about wraps it up. If you're interested in the remaining shots, you can find them here: http://www.snc1923.smugmug.com/gallery/2750075/1/146184997
Thanks for looking. Comments welcomed.
Many of my colleagues were booked into tiny below-decks rooms, but I somehow lucked out and got this fabulous stateroom with an ocean view. There was a separate dressing area and bathroom--it was huge and I imagine must have been first-class when the Queen was sailing. She anchored for the final time in 1967.
The spooky hallway leading to my room. The ship is reputed to be haunted, though I encountered no paranormal activity during my stay.
Original ship's fan.
Topside there is more great scenery to photograph. This is an observation tower (I'm sure there's a more nautical term for this), one of two jutting out of the bridge. I like the peeling paint and the creeping rust. The old girl's getting a bit long in the tooth.
Enormous vents and fans everywhere.
The bridge is a wonder. This is a ship's telegraph. I've always had a fascination with this partcular gadget.
There are no shortage of them on the bridge and elsewhere on the ship. There must be one-hundred or more. The circular window in the background is a "high-visibility window" that rotates at high speed to sling off the rain.
On the stern sundeck.
Below deck in the propellor box is the only remaining prop on the ship (there were four). This is a really spooky place that I remember from my childhood visit. The propellor is 18 feet across and I don't remember how many tons, 20 or 40. It's enormous.
The engine room is less spooky but no less interesting a place.
That about wraps it up. If you're interested in the remaining shots, you can find them here: http://www.snc1923.smugmug.com/gallery/2750075/1/146184997
Thanks for looking. Comments welcomed.
0
Comments
Thanks for sharing
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In the early 90's, we got the Q.E. tour while I was in town for a trade show. Those propellers you mention — one of them was on display at the time. Nearby was a wrench large enough to require King Kong to lift. Awesome stuff. Then we watched the Chicago Bears win a playoff game from the all-too-small bar. I Later wished I had booked my say on the ship. We didn't see or hear any ghosts, but they're supposed to be below the water up by the bow.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take" - Wayne Gretzky
I grew up in Southern California, but never visited the Queen Mary
(I live in the SF Bay area now) while I lived there.
Your shots inspire me to visit the QM.
Alvin
Fremont, CA
SmugMug Gallery
It's worth it. She's very photogenic, if nothing else.
PBase Gallery
I especially like the composition of the lifeboat shot.
redhawk
longshots.smugmug.com
Make me your SmugMug referrer!
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