Queen Mary: Exploring The Propeller Room (History & Haunts!)
Ever wondered what secrets lie beneath the shimmering surface of the Queen Mary? Prepare to be both fascinated and slightly terrified because what awaits you in the depths is a monumental piece of engineering history: the Queen Mary's propeller, encased within an equally monumental steel box.
Anchored in Long Beach, CA, the Queen Mary stands as a testament to a bygone era of luxury ocean travel. More than just a ship, she's a floating city, a museum, and, according to some, a hotbed of paranormal activity. While the ship's opulent staterooms and grand ballrooms are well-documented, it's the less glamorous, almost industrial spaces that truly captivate. Among these is the propeller observation room, an unusual and often unsettling attraction that offers a unique glimpse into the ship's mechanics.
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Ship Name | RMS Queen Mary |
| Location | Long Beach, CA |
| Built | Scotland, for the Cunard Line |
| Maiden Voyage | 1936 |
| Number of Original Propellers | Four |
| Propeller Dimensions | 20 feet wide, 35 tons each |
| Propeller Rotation Speed | Approximately two revolutions per second |
| Current Propeller Status | One remains on the ship, encased in a viewing room; one is on display near the Carnival Cruise terminal parking structure; one is in storage near the ship. |
| Propeller Viewing Room | Accessible during tours, offering views of the remaining propeller through a watertight box structure built around the propeller. |
| Related Link | The Queen Mary Official Website |
The story of the Queen Mary's propellers is intertwined with her transformation from a transatlantic liner to a stationary attraction. Originally, she boasted four colossal propellers, each measuring a staggering 20 feet in width and weighing a hefty 35 tons. These behemoths propelled the ship across the oceans, turning at a rate of approximately two revolutions per second. Imagine the sheer power and force required to move a vessel of that size through the water!
However, as the Queen Mary transitioned into her role as a hotel and tourist destination, significant alterations were made. The United States Coast Guard had final say in deeming the Queen Mary a building, given that most of her propellers had been removed and her machinery gutted. Three of the four massive propellers were removed as part of this process. Someone asked what happened to them over the summer, and i had to confess to her that i didn't know. The remaining space, once occupied by these critical components, would then be used for storage or office space.
But what became of these removed propellers? The answer lies in Long Beach. One propeller is proudly displayed near the Queen Mary, specifically at the parking structure serving the Carnival cruise terminal. Another remains attached to the stern of the ship, carefully preserved and made accessible to visitors through the now-famous propeller observation room. The final propeller, unfortunately, is not open to the public, residing in storage near the ship. The three other propellers are in long beach.
The decision to create the propeller observation room was a stroke of engineering ingenuity. To allow visitors to witness the scale of these maritime marvels, two massive holes were cut into the ship's hull near the propeller. A watertight box was then constructed around the remaining propeller, effectively creating a viewing platform. This allowed visitors to stroll along a walkway and peer into the depths, observing the propeller from an angle previously only achievable by divers. Exploration of the queen mary's hull & propeller box.
The power train of the queen mary consisted of four primary boiler rooms each containing six massive yarrow boilers (for propulsion), an auxiliary boiler room with three scotch boilers (to generate electrical power for the ship's services), two turbo generator rooms, two engine rooms and a feed water softening plant that was capable of. The aft engine room is all that remains. Originally it drove the two inner propellers on the ship. The forward engine room (now gone) drove the outer two.
Rms queen mary at dock in long beach, ca, picture courtesy of wikimedia commons queen mary sailing in 1936. Queen mary has had a pretty illustrious history, which i won’t go into in too much detail because you can read about it on her website, here. She was built in scotland for the cunard line and had her maiden voyage in 1936. Experience the queen mary like never before! Anchored in long beach, ca, she invites you to be a part of her rich history while embracing the vibrant energy of today.
The experience of visiting the propeller observation room is not for the faint of heart. Some have described it as legitimately the scariest thing they've ever seen. One visitor confessed to trying to take a picture but fleeing the room screaming. A quick search for "queen mary" on social media reveals that this reaction is surprisingly common. The atmosphere within the room is often described as "properly scary." If you fell in, it would be you and a propeller in a very big box in the ocean.
Part of the unease likely stems from the perceived depth and the unsettling thought of being so close to such a massive piece of machinery. It\u2019s the lighting that makes it appear that you\u2019re looking into the depths. Otherwise you\u2019d never be able to view the propeller from this angle (without a dive). Check spelling or type a new query. If you google pictures of the queen mary, the box is clearly visible.
The propeller room is structure built outside the ship that allows visitors to actually see what a gigantic ship's propeller looked like in the 1930's. It's quite overwhelming and not for the faint of heart. Inside queen mary's creepy propeller observation room while on the haunted encounters tour.
The queen mary offers multiple attractions varying from: Self guided exhibits such as the engine room, propeller box, and bridge area (please see guide map to view further exhibits) to guided tours, such as glory days, haunted encounters & paranormal tours. That's the original queen mary. It doesn't sail any more. That room was added basically as a museum exhibition to allow you to see the last remaining propeller of 4 she originally had. Before she was gutted there wouldn't have been a room like that.
Regarding propeller from the rms queen mary. Learn about the four propellers of the queen mary, each 20 feet wide and 35 tons, that turned at two revolutions per second. See the only remaining propeller on the ship, encased in a metal box, and the diver on it for scale.
The queen mary had four propellers like this one, each of them 20 feet wide weighing 35 tons. They turned at about two revolutions per second. Three of the propellers have now been taken off the ship to be put on display, but this one is still bolted to its shaft. Notice the diver on the propeller.
The ship makes no attempt to hide b340's history. Now that's it's reopened to the public, the room rents out at a premium, and there are accounts of ghost sightings inscribed on the walls. People come looking for the unmarked room every night. (visitors persistently pilfer the room number as a souvenir). But i didn't know any of that at the time.
Whether you're a maritime enthusiast, a history buff, or simply someone seeking a unique and slightly unnerving experience, a visit to the Queen Mary's propeller observation room is a must. It's a chance to connect with the ship's past, appreciate the ingenuity of its design, and perhaps even confront your deepest fears. Just be sure to bring your camera – and maybe a friend – because you never know what you might see lurking in the depths of that steel box.
- The Life Of Cleo Rose Elliott Sam Elliotts Daughter
- Book Akbar Travels Cheap Flights Hotels Holidays
Propeller Room of the Queen Mary, Long Beach, Ca submechanophobia
Propeller on the Queen Mary Peter Casey Flickr
The propeller of the Queen Mary ship moored in San Diego, California
