Friends of TS Queen Mary

Friends of TS Queen Mary We are restoring TS Queen Mary to return her to active service in Britain's coastal waters

13.07.2026 - Our Tribute to Sam NeillWe are deeply saddened by the passing of our Commonwealth Patron, Sam Neill OBE. Sa...
13/07/2026

13.07.2026 - Our Tribute to Sam Neill

We are deeply saddened by the passing of our Commonwealth Patron, Sam Neill OBE.

Sam joined us at the encouragement of our dear friend and founding patron, the late Robbie Coltrane OBE, who was a longstanding supporter of TS Queen Mary.

Iain Sim (Chairman) says:

"It was typical of Sam that he needed little persuading to take up the role — a lifelong lover of ships, the sea, and of Scotland, he understood instinctively what TS Queen Mary meant, both as a piece of maritime history and as a symbol of what a community can achieve when it refuses to let something remarkable be lost".

"There was something rather fitting in his involvement. Sam made his home in the town of Clyde, in New Zealand's Central Otago, on the banks of the Clutha River. He often spoke of that connection with warmth and a twinkle of amusement, and it became one of the quiet threads that tied him to our project".

"From the moment he came on board, Sam was unfailingly supportive and encouraging, following our progress with genuine enthusiasm and never short of kind words for the volunteers and trustees giving their time to bring Queen Mary back to life".

"Sam will of course be remembered around the world for a remarkable career on stage and screen, spanning five decades — but to us, he will also be remembered simply as a generous, funny, and thoroughly decent man who believed in what we were doing".

Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this incredibly sad time. We will forever be grateful for his support and we will carry his enthusiasm for TS Queen Mary with us as we continue her restoration.

Rest in peace, Sam. Fair winds, and thank you.

Friends of TS Queen Mary

14.05.2026 - Spring Progress on board Queen MaryOver the recent weeks, our dedicated team of volunteers have completed a...
14/05/2026

14.05.2026 - Spring Progress on board Queen Mary

Over the recent weeks, our dedicated team of volunteers have completed a substantial amount of work on board TS Queen Mary.

Initially the focus was on the ship’s lower deck where the team:

- Installed and commissioned a full replacement set of bilge pumps (one in each of the deck's six compartments)
- Removed the last remaining switchboard support panel
- Dismantled the last gyprock bulkheads, which were installed during Queen Mary’s London days
- Stripped the last redundant electrical cables, conduits, cable trays, pipework and miscellaneous metalwork from the deck-head
- Dismantled the accordion door tracks in compartment 2 (the former kitchen when Queen Mary was moored in London)
- Demolished redundant brickwork in compartment 3 (the former boiler room)
- Successfully tested the lower deck lighting and bilge pump operation via the ship’s onboard generator, which is vital for future tows

This work has all been in preparation for our downstream plans to lift the main deck timbers and replace them with a steel deck. It has also helped to facilitate better access to the bilge spaces, which will be cleaned and coated when Queen Mary is next dry docked.

As the weather improved, work has moved to the upper decks:

- Scotia Handling attended and load tested and re-certified Queen Mary’s bollards
- Thomson Offshore inspected and re-certified the ship’s mooring ropes
- The team has recommenced painting and has been working on finishing the boat deck steel deck, with most of the remaining plates being cleaned, primed and coated.

Other tasks completed include the spot re-caulking of the foredeck, which is the largest area of external timber deck remaining and the installation of new anti-slip walkways on the prom deck, in advance of public tours re-commencing.

Over the next few weeks the team will finish off the boat deck and start attending to the other areas that need to be cleaned and repainted (including touching up the starboard side).

If you have some spare time and would like to join the team (whether on the ship or in the office) please contact Andrew Ferguson by emailing [email protected]. All skill sets, ages and abilities are welcome, and full training provided!

FoTSQM

06.05.2026 – Remembering the Day TS Queen Mary Got Her Name BackFifty years ago today, on 6th May 1976, TS Queen Mary II...
06/05/2026

06.05.2026 – Remembering the Day TS Queen Mary Got Her Name Back

Fifty years ago today, on 6th May 1976, TS Queen Mary II - acclaimed as “Britain’s Finest Pleasure Steamer” and the so-called “Pin-Up of the Clyde Fleet” - proudly readopted her original name. The Roman numerals were finally dropped, and she became TS Queen Mary once more. Her name had been relinquished in 1935 to make way for the new merchant flagship of the British Empire to be registered, the magnificent Cunard-White Star liner, RMS Queen Mary. The liner was eventually retired to California in 1967.

In 1976, TS Queen Mary’s owners, Caledonian MacBrayne, marked the opening of the sailing season with a special celebration. Having just re-registered the ship and refreshed her name on the bows and stern, they organised an invitation-only commemorative cruise, departing Springfield Quay in Glasgow.

The readoption ceremony was conducted at the quayside by veteran Scottish actor Roddy McMillan, best known for his role in Para Handy. Several of TS Queen Mary’s former skippers attended the cruise, including Alf Purves, John Cameron and Fergie Murdoch, with Captain Davie McCormick on the bridge.

Caledonian MacBrayne’s Managing Director, John Whittle, was on board, accompanied by former Purser Richard Orr and his wife, June. Richard had written the text for the company’s official book on the ship, which was just about to be published.

That afternoon, after disembarking her passengers at Springfield Quay, TS Queen Mary crossed the river to Anderston Quay - her new home berth for the 1976 and 1977 seasons. Sadly, the end of that second season brought her 44 year sailing career to a close - at least for the time being!

FoTSQM

24.04.2026 – Ship Ahoy! Scotland’s Maritime Heritage ExhibitionFriends of TS Queen Mary is pleased to be participating i...
24/04/2026

24.04.2026 – Ship Ahoy! Scotland’s Maritime Heritage Exhibition

Friends of TS Queen Mary is pleased to be participating in the annual Ship Ahoy! Maritime Heritage Exhibition tomorrow at Summerlee Museum in Coatbridge.

This popular event provides an excellent family day out and is free to attend. The exhibition features a wide range of steamer models, displays and maritime memorabilia and will be open from 10:00 to 16:00.

FoTSQM


Address

Office: Unit 16, 6 Harmony Row, Govan
Glasgow
G513BA

Telephone

+441412550298

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Friends of TS Queen Mary posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Featured

  • Mo's Trust

    Mo's Trust

    54/Queen Mary Avenue Govonhill Glasgow

Share

Category