Poseidon Revisited

A few months ago I posted an entry called "Poseidon Lives!", which has proven to be very popular among readers. It focused on a visit to the Los Angeles Maritime Museum and to the model ship used in 1972's "Poseidon Adventure." I've decided to post a few more photos from my visit since I'm only allowed to upload a few at a time.

A view of the aft docking gear that no longer exists on the Queen Mary. All of it was removed during an unsympathetic renovation in the 1980s.

A view of the Poseidon's stern, rudder and port propellers.

Yours truly standing beside the model. This should give you an idea as to how massive it is!

Poseidon Lives!

"The Poseidon Adventure" was a star-studded 1972 disaster movie which was based on the novel by Paul Gallico. In the story, SS Poseidon capsizes on New Year's Day after being hit by a rogue wave and suffers tremendous casualties. A model was built to capture these dramatic scenes on film (and to stunning effect too, if you ask me). But where is it now? Why, at the Los Angeles Maritime Museum in San Pedro, California!


It was during my search for the Queen Mary's propellers that I was able to take these photos. The Poseidon is a scale model of Long Beach's most famous ship (a quarter inch on the model equals one foot on Mary), weighing close to 2,000 pounds and measuring 21.5 feet long. A team of 15 modelers constructed it from the Queen Mary's original plans in about 3 months, and included battery-operated propellers, working funnels and interior lights. It was loaned the museum by 20th Century Fox and resides there to this day.

Two classic views.

A shot of the bridge, where Captain Harrison and his officers met their fates.

Here's a view that very few people get to see of the real Queen Mary nowadays (unless by boat...or Carnival cruise liner for that matter). These photos do not really do the model justice; it is amazing to see in person! No detail is too small. I do really suggest paying the Poseidon a visit if you happen to be in San Pedro.