The Glamour Years (1936-1939)

October 8, 1938:

Docked without the aid of tugboats in New York, by Commodore Irving. Voyage #53 west.

August 3 - 15, 1938:

Won the Blue Riband back from the Normandie on her 48th round-trip voyage. Held it for 14 years, until July 1952, when the SS United States beat the record.

August 30, 1939:

 Departed Southampton on final peacetime voyage, carrying her largest number of passengers: 2,552, including Mr. & Mrs. Bob Hope and millions in gold bullion.

September 2, 1939:

 Crew members black out ship's portholes.

September 3, 1939:

 England and France declare war on Germany.

September 4, 1939:

 THE QUEEN MARY arrives in New York.

March 21, 1940:

 Departs New York for Sydney, Australia, to be fitted as a troopship. Accommodations increased from 2,140 to 5,500.

May 5, 1940:

 First voyage as a troop transport. Sailed in convoy with AQUITANIA, MAURETANIA (II), EMPRESS OF BRITAIN, EMPRESS OF CANADA, and EMPRESS OF JAPAN, from Sydney, Australia, to Gourock, Scotland, with 5,500 troops.

August 5 - September 16, 1940:

 Dry docked in Singapore. Paravanes fitted.

December 13, 1940:

 Degaussing strip installed in Sydney.

April 9, 1941:

 In convoy with QUEEN ELIZABETH and MAURETANIA (II) from Sydney to Suez, and return.

January 27 - February 8, 1942:

 Hull damaged while entering dry dock in Boston Naval Shipyard. Troop capacity increased.

February 18 - March 28, 1942:

 "40 Days and 40 Nights" voyage from Boston to Sydney, Australia. First time THE QUEEN MARY carried American troops (8,398 troops, 905 crew).

May 11 - 16, 1942:

 First time more than 10,000 persons had traveled on any ship (9,880 troops, 875 crew).

August 2 - 7, 1942:

 First time a complete division was carried on any ship. First Armored Infantry Division (15,125 troops, 863 crew).

October 2, 1942:

 THE QUEEN MARY collides with British light cruiser CURACOA. Seventy tons of cement are used to temporarily patch the bow in Gourock, Scotland.

October 14 - November 2, 1942:

 Dry docked in Boston Naval Shipyard to install a new more permanent bow piece.

December 23, 1942- April 22, 1943:

 "The Long Voyage" from Gourock, to the Suez, Sydney, Australia, and return to Gourock. Total mileage: 37,943 miles. Ship transferred to Atlantic Ocean.

May 5 - 11, 1943:

 Winston Churchill transported from Gourock to New York, to meet with President Roosevelt. 5,000 German prisoners of war were also on board.

July 25 - 30, 1943:

 Carried the greatest number of people on a floating vessel: 15,740 troops, 943 crew. Total: 16,683.

August 5 - 9, 1943:

 Winston Churchill transported from Gourock to Halifax, Canada, for 2nd Quebec "Quadrant" conference.

August 27 - 31, 1943:

 Winston Churchill returns to Gourock, Scotland, with 15,116 troops.