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SS Queen Mary
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SS Queen Mary
The liner SS Queen Mary passing Fawley oil refinery on her way to Southampton, 1961
The Royal Air Force Museum is Britain's only national museum dedicated wholly to aviation
Media ID 639900
© Charles Brown Collection, Royal Air Force Museum
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In this evocative black-and-white photograph taken by Charles E. Brown of the Royal Air Force in 1961, the iconic ocean liner SS Queen Mary gracefully passes by the Fawley oil refinery as she makes her way to Southampton, marking the end of her historic voyage across the Atlantic. The post-war era of the early 1960s was a time of renewed optimism and travel, as Europeans and Americans sought to reconnect with the world after years of conflict. The SS Queen Mary, a testament to engineering prowess and luxury, was a symbol of this newfound spirit of adventure. The image captures the SS Queen Mary in all her majesty, her towering smokestacks billowing plumes of white steam against the grey English sky. The refinery, with its sprawling industrial complex and towering chimneys, stands in stark contrast to the sleek lines and elegant curves of the ship. Yet, the two seemingly disparate elements are united by the water, which reflects the mirror-like image of the Queen Mary as she glides past. The photograph also serves as a reminder of the role that shipping played in the post-war era, as a means of transportation for both people and goods. The SS Queen Mary, with her capacity to carry over 1,000 passengers, was a vital link between Europe and North America, helping to rebuild the transatlantic connection that had been severed during the war. Charles E. Brown's photograph is a poignant snapshot of a bygone era, a time when travel by sea was a grand and glamorous affair. It is a reminder of the romance and adventure that once defined ocean liner travel, and a testament to the enduring allure of the SS Queen Mary, which continues to captivate generations of passengers and historians alike.
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