(Furness,
Withy: 1932-1966)
In 1919 Furness
Bermuda Line was awarded the mail contract for the New York to Bermuda
service. This service reached its zenith in the years just before the
Second World War when Furness Bermuda Line ordered two luxury liners -
the Monarch of Bermuda and the Queen of Bermuda. They were built by
Vickers Armstrong Ltd, Walker on Tyne, England. With these two ships the
Bermuda run from New York enjoyed the ultimate in luxury and they became
known as "the millionaires' ships". The two sister ships sailed on 3
week cruises from New York to Bermuda for Furness-Bermuda Line. Their
three funnels gave them an impressive appearance, although they were
hardly graceful compared to most Atlantic greyhounds. They were amongst
the elite ships of their day and had private facilities in their cabins.
The run between New York and Bermuda took only 40 hours in each
direction and that allowed 4 days to be spent on the Island.
When the Second World War
broke out in 1939, the two luxury liners were requisitioned for war
duties. The Monarch of Bermuda served as a troopship while the
Queen of Bermuda became an Armed Merchant Cruiser and later a
troopship. After the war the Monarch of Bermuda was gutted by fire while
being refitted for passenger service. She was salvaged by the Ministry
of Transport and converted into an emigrant liner.
Fortunately the Queen of
Bermuda did return to the Bermuda service after the war in 1947.
Later in 1961 she was completely modernised and rebuilt with just one
funnel. But by this time the heyday of Furness Bermuda Line was over and
by 1966 the company decided to withdrawn from the New York to Bermuda
run. As a result the Queen of Bermuda was retired from service
and scrapped at Faslane on the River Clyde.
Furness
Bermuda Line card of Queen of Bermuda.
Furness
card of Queen of Bermuda.
Art
card of Queen of Bermuda.
Photographic
card of Queen of Bermuda.
Photographic
card of Queen of Bermuda.
Photographic
card of Queen of Bermuda.
Photographic
card of Queen of Bermuda on war service 1939-1947.
Furness
card of Queen of Bermuda as rebuilt 1961/62.
Furness
card of Queen of Bermuda as rebuilt 1961/62.
Furness
card of Queen of Bermuda as rebuilt 1961/62.
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