QM's Maiden Voyage

[Rob Lightbody]

There was a wonderful piece on BBC Radio 4's "Saturday Live" yesterday morning in a section called 'I was there' where a lady that was on QM's maiden voyage described what it was like.  Its worth seeking out on the iPlayer (if you're in Britain) even though its a few minutes long.  She tries to explain what it was like - what the equivalent would be today, to capture the excitement.... she says it would be as if you could go to the moon in passenger spacecraft - imagine the coverage of the maiden voyage of that!  Anyway it brightened up my Saturday morning!

[Chris]

It must have been amazing! Can you imagine, the Pride of Britain setting sail on a voyage that not only symbolised the achievement of beating the Great Depression, but also Britain's answer to the great liners of Europe, Europa, Bremem, Rex and Normandie.

It must have been a wonderful atmosphere aboard as the first Queen ploughed her way across the North Atlantic at speeds no other Cunarder had (at that stage) managed!

Of course, as she neared the USA her record crossing hopes were smashed when Queen Mary followed in the great Cunard tradition of safety over speed and slowed down due to fog - however this didn't stop her from receiving a heroes welcome in New York and, we all know she went on to capture the Blue Riband and restore British supremacy on the trans-Atlantic route.

[Jem]

Found this of her launch and first crossing......

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5W3CDrjoxA" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5W3CDrjoxA</a>

Cheers