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RMS Queen Mary Leaves the Clyde

The iconic Cunard White Star liner leaves the shipyard of her birth and ventures seawards for the first time.

1936 2 mins Silent

Overview

Launched at John Brown's shipyard on the River Clyde on 26 September 1934 by Her Majesty Queen Mary, Cunard’s White Star liner was now ready to take her place in service on the transatlantic route.

The largest and fastest passenger liner in the world, Queen Mary’s maiden voyage was witnessed by thousands, many of whom travelled from miles around. This footage was captured by amateur filmmaker James Blair on highly desirable 16mm Kodachrome reversal colour stock. Only released in the USA by Kodak the year before, supplies of the new film stock had only the same month arrived in Glasgow.