This historic film, made by Cunard White Star Lines to promote the Queen Elizabeth, begins with the launching of a ship in the year 1938, as hull no.552 — at 1031ft long, the largest liner in the world. Narrator: “The times of the 552 were not to be easily worn on the Atlantic Sea. The time was a time of crisis; the world was on the brink of war. At this time his majesty was unable to attend the launching but the Queen and 2 princesses were there and 300,000 voices were raised to welcome.”
At mark 1:17, we have the crowd cheering for the Queen. At mark 1:25, we have the Queen expressing her regret that his Majesty was unable to be present and she brought greetings from his Majesty advising the public to be in good cheer. At mark 2:20, the ship began to move before the Queen had time to name her. So the ship started on the first stage of her career. The Queen continues her speech admonishing the public to promote peace, by God’s grace and men’s goodwill.
At mark 4:23, Lowell Thomas hails the Queen Elizabeth’s maiden trip, wearing wartime grey, made with great speed. This is the biggest ship in the world, British 28.5 million dollar, 85000 tonnes super liner Queen Elizabeth. At mark 5:57, we have the ship slipping out of the New York habour for her second voyage, in which the destination and the mission were closely guarded secret, many guessed as the ship slipped away. Upon the journey, nothing else was heard.
At 6:23, she sailed Southampton and this was probably greatest occasion of her career. We have the bands playing and people cheering. At mark 6:30, we have the commander on the microphone. At mark 7:24, we have the Queen Elizabeth leaving Southampton. The public were cheering and it was no false idea that the journey to Southampton was a great occasion. Even the RAF took time off to celebrate this, at mark 8:09.
At time 8:49, the war concluded, the QE went back to Southampton for further attention. At mark 9:00, final preparations were made before the de-mobilisation and handing back to the Cunard White Star Lines. At mark 09:20, we have the interior of the Queen Elizabeth, now the most comfortable ship in the world. Now the ship is ready for her speed trial and once more a royal speed trial, for the Queen herself was to sail in her. At mark 9:55, the Princess is checking her figures; we also have the Queen steering the wheel. The speed trial was going as planned. At mark 11:15, we have the Queen and her Princesses leaving the ship bidding Godspeed and good luck to the world’s greatest liner.
At mark 11:30, we have an announcing announcing the celebrities to the world. We have gatherings of well wishers, and the ship slowly push herself away from the dock. At mark 13:30, different activities on the ship by the men in voyage. We also have Russian delegations of the United Nations and a press conference. We have senators and high guests. We have different sports on the ship with great participants, at mark 14:15. We have generals also joining the game. At mark 14:49, we have Mr. Molotov taking the wheels. At mark 15:05, we have the ship arriving in New York, while the city is still sleeping. At mark 15:55, the Queen Elizabeth comes to dock. At mark 15:58, we have Mr. Molotov and Andrei Gromyko making remarks in Russian, regarding the Paris Peace Talks. Adding to another long list add another triumph for the Queen Elizabeth…
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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD and 2k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com
