Heather Beagley pictured aged 14 If you liked this information and you would certainly such as to get more info regarding JetBlack kindly browse through the web site. on the Queen Mary in 1936
A 99-year-old lady who was on the maiden voyage of Cunard liner the Queen Mary from Southampton to New York in 1936 has described the experience as 'the most inspiring trip of my life'.
In a letter to Cunard, Heather Beagley, who lived in Bristol at the time, wrote about dancing with a movie star who happened to be onboard, a close shave with an iceberg and the ship's grand arrival in Manhattan.
Heather penned the note to Cunard ahead of a talk she gave about her journey, aged 14, to fellow residents at her Hertfordshire care home.
'My father had to book places onboard months in advance as so many people yearned to be passengers,' she wrote.
'Permission had to be sought for me to be absent from school for a fortnight and town car ny to our relief, my headmistress said: "Lucky girl! It will be an education in itself!" So it was!
'My brother could not accompany us as he was taking his finals in classics at Oxford.'
According to Heather, a huge fanfare surrounded the departure of the ship, which left Southampton on May 27, 1936.
She told Cunard: 'Everyone in Bristol envied us and friends drove down to Southampton to wave us off.
'Before setting foot on this prestigious ship I was amazed at the sight of it, towering above us as we approached, all 81,000 tons.'
The letter explained how, once onboard, Heather's parents had a first-class cabin while she was in second class, sharing with three other young women.
'Of course, I sat with my parents in the magnificent dining room,' she wrote. 'Walls lined with beautiful wood and with superb lighting.
'In the centre of our table was always a bowl of red roses and the meals, of many courses, town car ny were varied and delicious.'
The Queen Mary pictured in New York after arriving on her maiden voyage in 1936
One of the suites onboard the Queen Mary, which made her maiden voyage, on the Southampton-Cherbourg-New York route, on May 27, 1936
Luxury liner: Beds in a Queen Mary suite
Heather also told Cunard how she spent her time onboard.
She wrote: 'There were all sorts of deck games, though very few people my age to play them.
'Most days I went to the cinema. Films were all the rage in the 1930s and there were five stars on board including Jack Buchanan (nearly always drunk), Olivia de Havilland and Frances Day.
'I enjoyed reading from a selection of books in the library.
'In the evening, there was dancing to the famous Henry Hall's Dance Band in the big ballroom.'
It was on the dance floor of the ballroom that Heather actually got to know Hollywood actor Buchanan, who is best known for his role in the 1953 musical The Band Wagon.
Heather revealed: 'Via friends we were introduced to Jack, aged 42. Although so much older than me he danced with me every night. How lucky I was!
'One night when I was almost asleep I heard one of my companions say "how did that young girl find a gigolo when we can't?"
'Next day, I asked my mother what "gigolo" meant. She replied: "A polite gentleman who loves dancing!"'
RELATED ARTICLES
Previous
1
Next
The REAL England of Bridgerton revealed: New book details... The most VIP accommodation location on the planet?... An Inspector calls... at a Wiltshire pub with rooms that... It may not be the warmest place on Earth, but with... Hello, gorge-ous! The world's most jaw-dropping canyons,... A lost steam railway station, underground World War II...
Share this article
Share
645 shares
According to Heather, there was an iceberg scare during the journey.
She told Cunard: 'After four days and a scare about an iceberg looming too close, we arrived in New York.'
And what an arrival that was.
Heather (far left), gave a talk to her Hertfordshire care home residents about her extraordinary Queen Mary voyage
Heather is pictured here giving her talk. A Cunard spokesperson said: 'I can only imagine the excitement and anticipation Heather must have felt as a young woman preparing to set sail across the Atlantic, and arriving in such style in New York'
Cunard sent some afternoon tea treats and fizz to Heather's care home for her talk
King George V's Queen consort Mary of Teck launching Queen Mary in Clydebank, Scotland, on September 26, 1934
'The welcome in New York was astounding!' Heather recounted. 'Aeroplanes flew overhead, ships hooted and sprayed water, VIPs came out in little boats to greet us and crowds lined the quays to welcome us.
'All the big liners were competing for what was known as "The Blue Riband" for the swiftest crossing of the Atlantic.
'Some people were disappointed that the Queen Mary did not beat the record, but the answer was they did not try as the ship had to be run in like a new town car ny.'
Heather's care home talk was followed by a Cunard-themed afternoon tea, accompanied by Champagne, all courtesy of the liner.
Following Heather's journey, the Queen Mary and sister ship the Queen Elizabeth went on to dominate the transatlantic passenger transportation market.
The ship was officially retired from service in 1967.
A Cunard spokesperson said: 'I can only imagine the excitement and anticipation Heather must have felt as a young woman preparing to set sail across the Atlantic, and arriving in such style in New York on board the brand new record-breaking Cunard ocean liner. Reading a first-hand account of her tales of first-class travel, extravagant dinners and dancing all night with the coveted celebrities of their day, really brings alive the glamour of what ocean travel is all about.'