QUEEN MARY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 September 1939, Page 6

QUEEN MARY

SAFE ARRIVAL IN NEW YORK HEAVY PASSENGER LIST STRICT PRECAUTIONS DURING VOYAGE. SHIP TO REMAIN MEANTIME IN AMERICA. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received This Day, 8.45 a.m.) NEW YORK, Sept. 4. The Queen Alary lias arrived with 2385 passengers. The Ciniard Company has announced that the liner, which originally was scheduled io saii on' Wednesday, will remain in port indefinitely. Incidentally she has docked only a few yards from lhe Normandie. It is believed that neither will risk the open sea until the convoy system has been perfected. Mr. David Bailey, a special correspondent of the Associated Press of America, says the Queen Mary ran blacked out from Southampton. The cabin ports were screened and sealed, while the promenade windows, were closed and blackened. Passengers were forbidden on the upper decks after sunset and were urged to remain in their . own accommodation. ' The ship’s cinema, gymnasium, dance hall, nursery, library and most of the public rooms were used as dormitories. A few blue lights were the only illumination behind the promenade decks and blackened windows, and even in the inside accommodation lights were heavily screened. The Queen Mary followed an extreme northern course to avoid possible interception. She was convoyed by two destroyers from Cape Race to the Ambrose Light. Many passengers lined the rails to greet the Statue of Liberty through the dawn and many were singing. The ship’s hold was loaded with 44,500,000 dollars worth of gold. The passengers remained calm and no panic was caused by the announcement of the declaration of war. They listened to the King’s Speech on the radio and Americans and Britons alike stood up when God Save the King was played. Foreignborn and American citizens greeted With enthusiasm the announcement of the reported capture of the Bremen and joined in condemnation of the sinking of the Athenia, declaring that America thereby was brought nearer to participation in the war. It is doubtful whether the Queen Mary will return to Britain.