H.M.S. Queen Mary (1912)

H.M.S. Queen Mary was a battle cruiser of the Lion Class in the Royal Navy, although she differed somewhat from her two sisters. Built on Tyneside by Palmers and engined by John Brown, she was the fastest big ship in the fleet until H.M.S. Tiger, the last of the "Big Cats" was launched. She took part in all the major actions of the Great War before being destroyed at the Battle of Jutland in 1916.

Construction

One battle cruiser was provided for in the 1910-1911 naval estimates as part of the 1910-1911 Programme. On Thursday, 13 January, 1911 it was announced that the new ship would be constructed by Palmers at their Jarrow dockyard, with the turbine machinery built by John Brown and Company. The keel was laid on 6 March, the same day that it was announced in The Times that the name of the ship would be Queen Mary, in honour of the consort of King George V. The naming was confirmed by the builders on 20 March.

A year later Queen Mary was launched on 20 March, 1912. A public holiday was declared in Jarrow so as to allow as many people as possible to view the spectacle. The ship was launched at 15:45 by Lady Allendale, with Lord Allendale in attendance as well as many other shipyard and political dignitaries. The Queen sent a message to Lady Allendale, to wit;

I am most grateful to you for so kindly representing me at the launch of his Majesty's ship Queen Mary and I sincerely hope that all prosperity may follow the ship which has been named after me.

While construction was underway, a coalminers' strike was underway, which affected both the social climate and affected the delivery of goods due to decreased traffic consequent to a lack of coal supplies. Unlike most shipyards, Palmers was not duly affected by the situation. However, on 10 December, 1912 two hundred platers went on strike over a pay dispute related to odd jobs.

Reference List

• Roberts, J.A. (1997). Battlecruisers. London: Chatham. ISBN 1-84067-530-6