RMS Queen Elizabeth | ‘A Future Without Possibilities’ | (5/6)

“A Future without possibility”

Cunard Lines Atlantic Dominance was challenged in 1952 when the SS United States entered into service and shattered the RMS Queen Mary's Speed record. The Insanely Fast Ocean Liner was a modern alternative to the Two Queens. But the real existential challenge came on October 7, 1958, when Aerial Travel begins to expand towards the Atlantic. And on the 1960s RMS Queen Elizabeth Passenger Numbers, were on a rapid decline, and on some voyages, it would carry more crew members than passengers. The Problem was beginning to become clear and on 1965, the Cunard Lines was operating at a loss. The situation was dire but the Cunard was determined to continue offering transatlantic for the foreseeable future. In 1964 after an earlier project fell through the company finally moved ahead with what would become Queen Elizabeth II or QE2. A Brand new Super Liner would enter service in 1969. Even with the new ship on the horizon and a dire financial situation, the Cunard was hesitant to Retire the RMS Queen Mary and RMS Queen Elizabeth the thought of sending these historical symbols to the scrap yard was questionable. Attempts were made to make the RMS Queen Elizabeth a Cruise ship and underwent a 1.75 million pounds of refit in 1965 that reconfigured the vessel. The RMS Queen Elizabeth's Cruising we're poorly planned and deeply unpopular. In 1967 The RMS Queen Mary was officially retired the Vessel was purchased by Long Beach California which agreed to turn the Ocean Liner into a Hotel and Museum. Cunard hoped to keep RMS Queen Elizabeth in Service for a few more years but newly introduced fire safety standards meant that, to keep the RMS Queen Elizabeth in service. The RMS Queen Elizabeth has to undergo modification and by that time the Cunard Lines could not justify the cost. The RMS Queen Elizabeth made its final Transatlantic Voyage to New York on October 28, 1968. Throughout the RMS Queen Elizabeth's Service, the Vessel Sailed across the Atlantic 896 Times, Carried 2.3 Million Passengers, and Traveled 3,472,675 Nautical Miles. After its last Voyage, Queen Elizabeth of Teck visited the Vessel for the Last Time. During the Emotional Visit, the Queen Elizabeth of Teck waved Goodbye for the Last Time.

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