Ocean Liner History Recreated as Queen Mary 2 Meets Namesake in Los Angeles
Los Angeles harbor witnessed a historic moment earlier this week as the Queen Mary 2 sailed past the legendary Queen Mary. The meeting, the first between the two vessels in 20 years, drew crowds of cruisers, Anglophiles, and local well-wishers to San Pedro.
The Queen Mary 2, the world’s largest – and only – ocean liner, is currently on a 108-day world voyage. During a brief stop in Los Angeles, guests were invited aboard for a traditional English tea.
The reunion was greeted by a water salute from a fire boat, as well as private yachts and a chartered harbor cruise boat carrying press and local onlookers. It has been two decades since the two Queens last passed one another.
Captain Andrew Hall, welcoming guests aboard the Queen Mary 2, noted that many design features of the newer ship were inspired by its namesake. The Queen Mary, a floating hotel in Long Beach harbor since 1971, was the subject of a recent $12 million commitment from the city towards its restoration.
Inside the Queen Mary 2, a notable artifact is the giant silver “Boston Commemorative Cup,” created for Sir Samuel Cunard in 1840 and always sailed on Cunard’s flagship. The trophy was discovered in an antique shop in 1967.
Cunard operates four ships named for British monarchs – Victoria, Elizabeth, Anne, and Mary. The crew of the Queen Mary 2 represents 67 countries, including Indonesia, India, Hungary, and the United Kingdom. The ship recently made its first transit through the expanded Panama Canal as part of its current world voyage, and typically sails from Southampton to New York on transatlantic voyages.
