Turbine Steamer
QUEEN MARY : A UNIQUE
& PRICELESS EXAMPLE OF BRITISH (AND WORLD) MARITIME HERITAGE
Not just a ship for the general public
to admire from afar : she was one which the public actually sailed
on and in great numbers, carrying up to 1800 on a good day during
her heyday. She has been open until recently as a pub and restaurant
for the enjoyment of the general public. She should be saved for
further public use as a restaurant, museum and, in the long term,
a cruise steamer once again.
Built in 1933 by Wm. Denny & Bros. at Dumbarton, Scotland
Turbine Steamer - Engines : 3 direct drive turbines (3800 horsepower) : three propellors
Dimensions : 263 ft 4 in x 37 ft x 7 ft 6 in
1014 Gross Registered Tonnes
Built for
Williamson-Buchanan Steamers Ltd for their Clyde services from Bridge
Wharf, Glasgow Twin funnels exhausing a Scotch-type boiler were painted in
Williamson-Buchanan colours, white with black tops Normal weekday schedule
was to leave Glasgow at 10:00 hrs for Dunoon and Rothesay, with a range of onward
non-landing cruises Saturdays saw her leave Glasgow at 13:45 for Dunoon,
Rothesay and the Kyles of Bute
Renamed Queen Mary II in 1935 to allow her name to be used for the
new Cunard liner Williamson-Buchanan (1935) Ltd established in October 1935
as her owners became a subsidiary of the Caledonian Steam Packet Co. Only
took the yellow and black funnel colours of the CSP in December 1939 and was
finally registered as owned by that company in 1943
Remained on the Clyde throughout the Second World War generally between Gourock
and Dunoon sporting a range of (mostly grey) camouflage liveries.
Mainmast fitted in 1954 to meet new safety regulations - and new cafeteria facilities
installed in the same year
Converted to an oil burning Yarrow water-tube boiler in early 1957 when one large elliptical funnel
replaced her two funnels Radar installed in 1960. Masts shortened in 1969
so that she could sail under the new Kingston Bridge on which a new mororway
ran through Glasgow After the 1969 season, Glasgow sailings were withdrawn
and she sailed out of Gourock Refitted in 1971 and undertook sailings as
far as Campbeltown, in succession to the withdrawn Duchess of Hamilton
Her original name was restored in 1976 after Cunard's Queen Mary was removed
from the register. In her later years, sailings to and from Glasgow were
restored
Withdrawn in 1977 after local government tourist development grants were withdrawn
and given to support the paddle steamer Waverley. Her final cruise was an
evening "Showboat" cruise from Largs to Rothesay and through the Kyles
of Bute on September 12th 1977.
Laid-up at East India harbour, Greenock.
Sold to Glasgow District Council in June 1978, but plans to retain her as a museum
on the Clyde came to nothing.
Sold for use as a restaurant on the Clyde. Sold to Euroyachts Ltd and then
in 1981 to Tesright Ltd and moved to King George V Dock,
London and later to Tilbury. Turbines removed - two donated to the Science
Museum, London and one retained on the vessel
Damaged by fire during refitting. Laid up.
Sold to brewers Bass-Charrington (Toby Restaurants Division) in 1987 : this
company is now part of Mitchells & Butlers plc. Refitted
at the Crescent Shipyard, Chatham with new funnels, masts, companionways and
bulkheads. Warren Smith Architects involved in the design work. Moved on
July 29th 1988 to the
Embankment in central London under tow by Warrior, Triton and Sir Aubrey of
Warrior Towage Ltd.
In her new position, she replaced her former Clyde fleetmate PS Caledonia,
which was lost to fire at her Embankment berth in 1980
Has become a successful restaurant and function suite at her prime
central London location
Received a major refurbishment in 1997. Renovated and repainted in resplendent
white in March 2006 after one year in light blue. White funnels with black tops were restored, now
featuring a "QM" inscription Offered for sale in 2008.
