
The RMS Queen Elizabeth was a British passenger liner that played a significant role in the history of ocean travel. Launched in 1940, it was the largest ship in the world at the time.
Built by John Brown & Co. in Clydebank, Scotland, the Queen Elizabeth was a marvel of engineering, measuring 1,019 feet 6 inches in length and 118 feet 6 inches in width. Its massive size allowed it to accommodate over 2,200 passengers and crew.
The Queen Elizabeth was designed to be a luxurious and comfortable vessel, with elaborate dining rooms, lounges, and staterooms.
Design and Construction
The RMS Queen Elizabeth was a massive ship, measuring 963 feet 6 inches long and 119 feet 1 inch wide.
Its construction began in 1938 at the John Brown & Company shipyard in Clydebank, Scotland.
The ship was designed to be a luxurious ocean liner, with a gross tonnage of 83,673 tons.
The Queen Elizabeth was built with a double-bottom hull and a watertight subdivision system to ensure its stability and safety at sea.
It had a top speed of 28.5 knots, making it one of the fastest ships of its time.
Building and Design

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A well-designed layout can make all the difference in a building's functionality and aesthetic appeal, and it's essential to consider the flow of traffic and natural light when planning the layout.
The use of modular construction techniques can speed up the building process, with pre-fabricated modules being assembled on-site to create a complete building.
A building's exterior façade can greatly impact its energy efficiency, with materials like brick and stone providing excellent insulation and reducing heat transfer.
The integration of green spaces into a building's design can improve air quality and reduce stress levels, with rooftop gardens and green roofs providing a peaceful oasis in urban areas.
A building's electrical system is critical to its functionality, and it's essential to use high-quality wiring and circuit breakers to prevent electrical shocks and fires.
Largest Passenger Liner
The Queen Elizabeth held the title of largest passenger liner for over 50 years, outdoing even the iconic Queen Mary.
It was slightly larger than the Queen Mary, making it an impressive feat of design and construction.
The construction of the Queen Elizabeth took place in Scotland, where work was nearing completion before global tensions rose ahead of WW2.
The Admiralty decided to announce the ship would move to be fitted out, but in reality, the Queen Elizabeth quietly slipped out and made a run for the neutral United States.
History and Facts
The RMS Queen Elizabeth was an ocean liner operated by Cunard Line, providing weekly luxury liner service between Southampton in the United Kingdom and New York City in the United States, via Cherbourg in France.
She was constructed in the mid-1930s by John Brown and Company at Clydebank, Scotland, with the build known as Hull 552. The Queen Elizabeth was launched on 27 September 1938.
She was named in honor of Queen Elizabeth, who was later known as the Queen Mother. With a design that improved upon that of Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth was a slightly larger ship, the largest passenger liner ever built at that time and for 56 years thereafter.
She also has the distinction of being the largest-ever riveted ship by gross tonnage.
The Queen Elizabeth first entered service in February 1940 as a troopship in the Second World War, and it was not until October 1946 that she served in her intended role as an ocean liner.
She was built by John Brown & Co., Clydebank, Glasgow, Scotland, and had a tonnage of 83,673.
She was 987'x 118' (1,031' o.l.) in dimensions.
The Queen Elizabeth had a propulsion system of quadruple-screw, 31 knots, with steam turbines producing 160,000 s.h.p.
She had two masts and two funnels, with her funnels being 70 feet high from deck level.
Her promenade deck was 724 feet long.
The Queen Elizabeth's maiden voyage commenced from the Clyde, bound for New York, on February 27, 1940.
She served as a valuable troopship throughout World War II, completing her long period of duty in March 1946.
After the war, she was reconditioned for passenger service and commenced her first regular Southampton-New York voyage on October 16, 1946.
The Queen Elizabeth had a passenger capacity of 850 first, 720 cabin, and 744 tourist.
Operations and Logistics
The RMS Queen Elizabeth was a massive ship, measuring 963 feet 6 inches in length and 118 feet 6 inches in width, making it one of the largest passenger liners in the world at the time.
Its size required a complex operations and logistics system to keep it running smoothly. The ship had a crew of over 1,000 people, who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the comfort and safety of its passengers.
From loading and unloading cargo and supplies to managing the ship's vast network of corridors and cabins, the logistics of the Queen Elizabeth were a marvel of efficiency.
Route Maps, Track Charts, Log Summary
Route Maps, Track Charts, and Log Summary are essential tools for any operation or logistics team. They provide a visual representation of the journey, helping to plan and optimize routes.
The RMS Queen Elizabeth completed a passage from New York to Cherbourg in 4 days, 13 hours, and 42 minutes. This impressive feat showcases the ship's capabilities.

Average speed was a crucial factor in this journey, with the Queen Elizabeth maintaining an average speed of 29.12 knots. This speed is a testament to the ship's efficiency.
Having a clear understanding of the route and journey time is vital for planning and coordination. It allows teams to anticipate and prepare for any challenges that may arise.
Programs
Onboard entertainment was a big deal on the RMS Queen Elizabeth. The ship offered a variety of programs for its passengers, including movies.
Concerts were also a part of the ship's programming. The RMS Queen Elizabeth hosted concerts for its passengers.
Children's activities were not forgotten, as evidenced by the children's tea party on August 30, 1949.
The ship's social calendar was packed, with events like cocktail hour and community sing-a-long.
Onboard Experience
The RMS Queen Elizabeth's onboard experience is truly regal. The ship's grand staircase, a stunning centerpiece of the vessel, is a sight to behold.
Upon boarding, passengers are greeted by the warm and elegant atmosphere of the ship's public areas, including the spacious lounge and the beautifully decorated dining rooms.
The Queen Elizabeth's interior design is a masterclass in sophistication, with intricate details and opulent furnishings that evoke a bygone era of luxury travel.
RMS Queen Elizabeth
The RMS Queen Elizabeth was an ocean liner operated by Cunard Line, providing weekly luxury liner service between Southampton in the United Kingdom and New York City in the United States, via Cherbourg in France.
She was a massive ship, with a design that improved upon that of Queen Mary, and was a slightly larger ship, the largest passenger liner ever built at that time and for 56 years thereafter.
Her passenger capacity was impressive, with 850 first-class passengers, 720 cabin-class passengers, and 744 tourist-class passengers.
The Queen Elizabeth was equipped with two sets of stabilizers, which made for a smoother ride.
Her maiden voyage commenced on February 27, 1940, from the Clyde, bound for New York.
The ship's funnels were 70 feet high from deck level, and her promenade deck was an impressive 724 feet long.
She first entered service in February 1940 as a troopship in the Second World War, and it was not until October 1946 that she served in her intended role as an ocean liner.
The Queen Elizabeth held the title of largest passenger liner for over 50 years, until she was eventually surpassed by another ship.
Passenger Lists
The RMS Queen Elizabeth was a glamorous ship with a Quadruple-Screw Turbine, boasting a Gross Tonnage of 83,673.
One of the first passenger lists for the Queen Elizabeth was from 1947-02-13, with a voyage that included Valentine's Day in a transatlantic crossing.
The ship's cabin class was in high demand, with multiple passenger lists from 1947-05-24 and 1948-05-14.
The Queen Elizabeth offered a variety of routes, including Southampton to New York and New York to Southampton via Cherbourg.
Commander Captain C. M. Ford, C.B.E., R.D., R.N.R., was in charge of the ship's maiden voyage.
Menus
Menus are carefully crafted to enhance your onboard experience. Each menu item is designed to showcase the culinary expertise of the ship's chefs.
From fine dining to casual bites, menus cater to a wide range of tastes and dietary needs. The ship's restaurant offers a la carte options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Menu items are inspired by international cuisine, with dishes such as seafood paella and chicken satay. These options are available in the ship's buffet.
Special dietary menus are also available, including gluten-free and vegetarian options. These menus are clearly labeled to help you make informed choices.
Some menu items are even inspired by the ship's destination, allowing you to taste local flavors during your journey.
Leadership and Staff
The RMS Queen Elizabeth had a robust leadership and staff team, as evident from its passenger lists. Senior Officers and Staff played a crucial role in ensuring the smooth operation of the ship.
The Senior Officers and Staff list from December 1954 provides a glimpse into the hierarchy of the ship. We can see that there were several key personnel in charge of different departments.
The most senior officers were in charge of overseeing the entire operation of the ship. They were responsible for making key decisions and ensuring the safety of all passengers and crew.
A list of Officers from September 1955 gives us a better understanding of the specific roles and responsibilities of these senior officers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Queen Elizabeth's ship bigger than Titanic?
The Queen Elizabeth is not significantly larger than the Titanic, with only a 4-meter width difference and a 26-meter length difference. Despite these similarities, there are many other interesting facts about these two iconic ships.
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RMS_Queen_Elizabeth
- https://www.greatoceanliners.com/rms-queen-elizabeth
- https://www.worldofcruising.co.uk/editors-corner/rms-queen-elizabeth-hong-kong-seawise-university
- https://tiny-sailors-world.fandom.com/wiki/RMS_Queen_Elizabeth
- https://www.ggarchives.com/OceanTravel/ImmigrantShips/QueenElizabeth.html
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