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About 65 lucky members of the Ocean Liner Museum were among a host of ocean liner buffs who embarked aboard the world’s last operating liner for a week-long, July 3d cruise out of New York, calling at Bermuda, Nassau and Newport News before returning to New York on the 10th.
The cruise celebrated the 30th anniversary of the vessel’s 1969 entry into service. In addition to the Museum, included among the sponsoring participants were The Steamship Historical Society of America, The National Maritime Historical Society, the World Ship Society, The John Noble Society, the American Merchant Marine Museum, the Maritime Industry Museum and Project Liberty Ship. In command of the vessel was Captain Ron Warwick and sailing as lecturers were your president, William Miller and Frank Braynard. The Braynards were also celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary, an occasion marked by presentation of a special cake in the Queen’s Room.
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Organizing the cruise was Pisa Brothers Travel. As a commemorative keepsake, a special souvenir cap ribbon was distributed to all 600 of the ocean liner participants. Embroidered on the 2-foot long, slightly overscale silk ribbon was the name of the vessel in gold thread, the dates 1969-1999 and the American and British national flags. Although many continental shipping lines—including CGT, HAPAG and the Italian Line—commonly distributed souvenir cap ribbons to their passengers, it had never been a practice of either Cunard or White Star.
So this handsome Queen Elizabeth 2 ribbon serves as an unique collector’s item. The Ocean Liner Museum is offering for sale to its members 25 of these souvenirs. A sample is pictured below and they are available, first come first served, for $30 apiece (postage included), one to a customer while they last. Please send your checks care of Gregg Swain at the Museum.
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