It was 43 years ago today that the Queen Mary arrived in Long Beach, California to begin her new life as a tourist attraction. Under the command of Captain John Treasure Jones, the old ship left Southampton on October 31 and received a tremendous sendoff from spectators and the Royal Navy.Once she arrived in California, the Mary got an equally impressive welcome as hundreds of small boats came out to greet the stately ship. She would be formally handed over to the city on December 11 and cease to be the pride of the British Merchant Navy.
I've always found it interesting that - especially now - the Queen Mary has been docked in Long Beach longer than she ever sailed the Atlantic. But thank goodness she's still around!
And here's to another 43 years because Long Beach just wouldn't be the same without her!
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