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The Long Beach Years (1967-Present)

THE QUEEN MARY'sSM story is rich with history, adventure and romance. Starting with her maiden voyage as a grand ocean liner in 1936 the historical Queen Mary has served travelers and soldiers – and has set numerous records along the way.

1967

May 8, 1967:

 Queen's captains open orders telling them of the decision to sell THE QUEEN MARY and QUEEN ELIZABETH.

May 25, 1967:

 First meeting between Lord Mancroft and Long Beach, California representatives in New York.

July 27, 1967:

 $ 3.45 million Long Beach bid accepted.

September 22 - 27, 1967:

 Last eastbound transatlantic crossing. Voyage #513 east.

September 29 - October 6, 1967:

 Cruise from Southampton to Las Palmas & Gibraltar. Voyage #514.

October 13 - 19, 1967:

 Cruise from Southampton to Las Palmas. Voyage #515.

October 31, 1967:

 Departed Southampton on Final Voyage to Long Beach, California. Voyage #516.

December 9, 1967:

 THE QUEEN MARY arrives in Long Beach, California.

December 11, 1967:

 Removed from British registry and officially turned over to the City of Long Beach. Ship also became fully dependent on shore-side utilities.

1968

April 6 - May 18, 1968:

 Dry docked at the Long Beach Naval Shipyard.

1969

April 26, 1969:

 Contract entered into with Smith-Amelco, of Compton, California.

1970

July 1970:

 Diners Club and THE QUEEN MARY terminate participation in the project.

1971

February 27, 1971:

 THE QUEEN MARY moved to Pier J.

April 1, 1971:

 Specialty Restaurants Corp. takes over as master lessee.

May 8, 1971:

 Queen Mary Story and Power Train Tour, and Upper Decks opened, weekends only.

December 11, 1971:

Jacques Cousteau's "Living Sea" portion of Museum of the Sea (M.O.T.S.) opens.

1972

February 20, 1972:

 Largest day's attendance: 19,600.

November 2, 1972:

 First 150 hotel rooms opened.

1974

February 29, 1974:

 Hyatt Corporation takes over management of the hotel.

March 1974:

Preview opening of Mary's Gate Village (now The Queen's Marketplace).

1976

October 1, 1976:

 Queen Mary Tours Inc. takes over operation of Museum of the Sea.

1980

September 1, 1980:

 Wrather Port Properties Ltd., a subsidiary of Wrather Corporation, signs a 66-year lease to manage THE QUEEN MARY and adjoining acreage.

1983

May 14, 1983:

 Howard Hughes' Spruce Goose flying boat opens to the public next to THE QUEEN MARY.

1988

March 29, 1988:

 Walt Disney Company buys Wrather Corporation for $152 million. The agreement includes the Disneyland Hotel, and management of THE QUEEN MARY and Spruce Goose property.

1992

January 1, 1992:

City of Long Beach resumes responsibility for THE QUEEN MARY from the Port of Long Beach.

Spring 1992:

Aero Club of Southern California announces sale of Spruce Goose to Evergreen International Aviation Inc. in McMinnville, Oregon.

March 6, 1992:

Disney advises the City and Port of Long Beach that it will end its lease for the operation of THE QUEEN MARY and Spruce Goose. The company agrees to operate the attraction until September 30, 1992.

September 30, 1992:

Walt Disney Company gives up lease on THE QUEEN MARY and Spruce Goose property. Remainder of 1992, The Port of Long Beach becomes operator of property, and looks for new operator. Hotel Queen Mary closes.

October 2, 1992:

Spruce Goose is moved out of The Dome and put on barges headed to McMinnville, Oregon, having been sold to Evergreen International Aviation Inc.

December 31, 1992:

THE QUEEN MARY closes.

1993

February 5, 1993:

Joseph F. Prevratil, President & CEO of RMS Foundation, Inc. signs five-year lease with the city of Long Beach to act as operators of THE QUEEN MARY.

February 26, 1993:

THE QUEEN MARY reopens to the public. Self-guided and guided "Captain's Tour" resume. Most restaurants and Sunday Brunch are back.

March 5, 1993:

Hotel Queen Mary reopens with 125 rooms operational. Banquet rooms operational.

April 17, 1993:

Audio tours begin again in English, German, Japanese and Spanish.

April 30, 1993:

Remainder of Hotel Queen Mary's 365 rooms reopen.

May 12, 1993:

Captain John Treasure Jones, the 33rd and last captain of THE QUEEN MARY dies at the age of 87 at his home in Chandler's Ford, England, just north of the port town of Southampton.

1994

September 26, 1994:

Diamond Jubilee Celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the Launch and Naming of the great liner. Officiating are RMS Foundation President Joseph F. Prevratil; H.R.H. Prince Michael of Kent representing the British Royal Family, grandson of Her Majesty Queen Mary; Scotland's Clydebank District Provost Jack McAllister and other special guests.

1996

May 8, 1996:

THE QUEEN MARY celebrates the 25th Anniversary of its Opening Day.

May 27, 1996:

RMS Foundation, Inc., schedules Diamond Jubilee Celebration for the 60th Anniversary of THE QUEEN MARY's Maiden Voyage from Southampton to New York.

1997

May 31, 1997:

"Titanic: The Expedition" exhibit makes its West Coast debut aboard the Queen Mary.

December 9, 1997:

The Queen Mary celebrates 30 years in Long Beach.

2007

December 9, 2007:

THE QUEEN MARY celebrates 40 years in Long Beach.

2009

October 2009:

Delaware North Companies was brought in to revitalize and rebrand THE QUEEN MARY.

2011

May 2011:

THE QUEEN MARY will celebrate 75-year anniversary of the Maiden Voyage.