The saga of Cunard`s `Queens` began in 1930. In response to German competition, the keel of the biggest ship yet ordered was laid down on Clydebank as yard number 534. Work stopped during the depression, but the government gave a subsidy for the completion of the ship and a sister, but insisted that Cunard merged with its rival White Star Line. On her first voyage in August 1936, the Queen Mary recaptured the Blue Riband, for the fastest journey across the Atlantic, with an average speed of over 30 knots. Her sister, the even larger Queen Elizabeth, was incomplete when war broke out in 1939. Both `Queens` made an enormous contribution to the Allied cause. On each voyage they were capable of carrying 15,000 troops at a speed that made them practically invulnerable to attack by U-boats.

Queen Mary

Queen Elizabeth

UK to the US

Building the somewhat smaller Queen Elizabeth 2 eventually solved the problem of replacing the `Queens` when they became due for retirement in the 1960s. Although she also makes `liner` voyages, she is designed primarily for cruising. Although a much-loved ship, the QE2 tarnished her reputation by running on to rocks off New England in 1992. No one was hurt, but Cunard`s image suffered. This, plus the financial troubles of its parent company, may have contributed to this famous British company being sold to the US Carnival Corporation.

Queen Elizabeth 2

Carnival have continued the Cunard tradition, ordering a new ship, Queen Mary 2, completed in 2004. The `2` is necessary because Queen Mary of 1936 is still in existence as a museum ship in Califiornia. A third `Queen` - Queen Victoria - enters service in 2005. This means that, for the first time, there will be three `Queens` in Cunard`s fleet.