Queen Mary's Radiation Spa & Oddities

[@SAOS451316]

The electric bath and radiation therapy seem pretty silly today, but they were considered very fancy in their time. I think tanning booths will be seen as silly (and dangerous) in another eighty years. Also congratulations Alex on your pool video getting over a million views! That's wonderful!

[@AlextheHistorian]

Thank you!

[@goob67896]

It is already considered quite dangerous by healthcare professionals.

[@SAOS451316]

@@goob67896 Indeed, but not socially. And some people who know it'll give them skin cancer think the temprary tan is worth it.

[@mechadeka]

Let's not even get started on "ozone therepy".

[@hedgehog3180]

Tanning booths are already seen like that in Denmark and restrictions on them have slowly been introduced, they're slowly moving into the same category as cigarettes. But it is a good example of how these things happen and become widespread, it usually takes a long time before the general public becomes aware of the danger and takes it seriously.

[@chrisjeffries2322]

Call out to Queen Elizabeth, I saw her the day after she burned and rolled onto her side in Hong Kong harbor. I was in the Navy aboard the USS Chicago CG11, coming into port for R&R for a week.

[@murraykitson1436]

I have always been fascinated by the scenes in the James Bond movie " The Man With the Golden Gun " featuring the capsized wreck of the Queen Elizabeth ! Just how much of this material is actual , and what was staged is of great interest . I would say that the interior scenes were shot in a studio as evidenced by the sawn- through timber floor joists between the sloping decks . There could well be some information about this elsewhere on the internet , so exploring such resources is on my " must do " list ! I also understand that the portion of this wreck below the waterline remains in situ , covered over by landfill , and this former part of Victoria Harbour is now reclaimed land , whilst the upper , protruding part of the Queen Elizabeth was scrapped .

[@alastairward2774]

​@@murraykitson1436I didn't know it was a famous wreck.

[@Braveplantt]

It is not called Hong Kong harbour, it is called Victoria harbour, named after Queen Victoria in Britain

[@chrisjeffries2322]

@@Braveplantt Thank you, ever so.

[@murraykitson1436]

So the Queen Elizabeth capsized in ( Queen ) Victoria Harbour ! 🤭

[@henryhallfan]

Great video Alex! Glad there is finally a video out there that touches on these subjects, especially the radiation spa that is widely unknown these days.

[@kevinchaffee9694]

Thank you for a wonderful memory. I sailed in her in the summer of 1964. I liked seeing the beautifully wood paneled walls of the passageways - a delightful detail missing from ships today.

[@kevinchaffee9694]

You are a marvelous naval historian.

[@AlextheHistorian]

Thank you, but I'm not a naval historian. I just really love the Queen Mary.

[@brave_jedi9437]

I work in food service at an amusement park, and chemicals anywhere next to any kind of food or drinks is a serious no-no.

[@mariebrooks7341]

I stayed on the Queen Mary Oct 6 to Oct 8 before going on a Celebrity Eclipse cruise. I liked the Queen Mary and took the history tour. I didn't run into any ghosts on the Queen Mary either even though I heard about them. My room was nice. service was great and the food was good. I would visit Queen Mary again and recommend her to anyone staying in the Long Beach area.

[@d.deckert6634]

Yes, there are ghosts among the Queen Mary, but not benevolent ones.

[@Markybug-Keira-Cody]

great video Alex ! how long did the radiotherapy room last ? Is there any traces of it left on board ?

[@AlextheHistorian]

The Turkish Baths on Queen Mary lasted from 1936 to 1967. It was removed during the conversion of the ship to a hotel.

[@the_surperior_trout]

love your vids about this ship, I might go visit the ship with my family if I get the chance.

[@JJMHigner]

Love this and yes I want more! After such a long life, she's bound to have fun, sad, strange and odd (for us now) facts.

[@SirBeet]

Damn I never knew that this ship had a spa, let alone a radiation one!

[@adamideus9222]

I actually think it's relatively smart because if the asbestos is sandwiched between wood, then there's no way for it to escape

[@gridley]

The info on asbestos is why it probably was a fatal mistake for the SS United States, launched in 1952, to have its guts stripped bare. Although a tour guide on the QM said he wasn't a big fan of the interiors of the SSUS (they were mid-century 1950s), if they had remained, the ship's conservancy would have more to work with. The person leading that effort, who I believe is the daughter of the ship's architect, said the liner built in Virginia (& winner of the Blue Riband) should get no less TLC than the QM has received since 1967. But that may now be a case of futility. As for the 1970's movie The Poseidon Adventure, I didn't realize it was based on the QM almost capsizing in 1942 I originally thought that film used the QM out of coincidence or convenience. Do'h!

[@TiffanyL2]

i love the qm its cool

[@ColterDesigns]

I love the feline employees, paperwork and all! And the free ice cream when someone died to make room....too much! I love your videos, thank you!

[@ThomasGrillo]

LOL Electric bath... Easy bake oven for people comes to mind. ;) Thanks for doing this video.

[@AlextheHistorian]

Yes! Easy bake oven!

[@mike.4277]

Great video 📹

[@howtubeable]

I came for the Radiation Spa but stayed for the free ice cream.

[@johnmarkhegna141]

Love everything about the Queen Mary - excellent, fun, and informative video - thank you!

[@AlextheHistorian]

My pleasure, glad you enjoyed it!

[@lilbread1717]

The body in the Ice Cream freezer took me out, ngl 😆

[@ericfrohlich9137]

Great video , keep up the good work Alex….

[@AlextheHistorian]

Thanks!

[@historyadventureswithcandi3497]

Very interesting About this. I had no idea. :)

[@uhohitsatrap9989]

Enjoy your free complementary corspsecream.

[@verttikoo2052]

Dogs next to the tennis courts? My dog would go crazy 😱

[@jetsons101]

A new Alex the Historian video, a great start to a day.... Have to make a TEA first, then watch...........

[@ManWhoLovesTheMary]

Another feature Disneyland and the Queen Mary share, CATS! I had no idea this was a thing, and a well regulated thing at that. Also had no idea how much asbestos there..is…and the placement of that asbestos throughout the ship. There are plenty of toxic materials used today that are not dangerous unless handled improperly. “I’ve built yeh a good ship, Rose” - withstanding near 100 years later. D’yeh mind if I ask yeh what video that is starting at 8:38? Nev’ar seen it bef’r.

[@AlextheHistorian]

That is a segment of the program "This Was The Mary".

[@crystaldamato9608]

Hey, Alex, Someone is posting your videos on tiktok and if it's not you I was wondering if you could so i can follow you. I don't really KZbin much

[@AlextheHistorian]

The guy with 11.8k followers on TikTok isn't me. Many have reported him for stealing my content. Unfortunately I'm not much of a social media person. I don't spend any time on those platforms, I don't think I'll ever make TikTok videos

[@debas1given]

Did anyone ever restore those big green Doors one had big golden letter Q on it. Located with other old furniture in a storage room below deck. There in 2005? Cant recall exactly. I stood there looking at them... felt sad. They need to be put back where they belong.

[@AlextheHistorian]

I dont know of any place on the ship that had big green doors. But there are a lot of movie props on the ship that were not original to the ship, so its always possible that it was used in a movie.

[@markwatson3135]

The empty boat davits look so wrong 😕

[@AlextheHistorian]

Replicas will eventually be installed. But it will take time for that to happen.

[@worawatli8952]

4:18 I love how they did paw print of the cat. rofl

[@sammyk.3567]

Well presented. May points I missed on my past visit. Excellent.

[@vwfanatic2390]

I love the Queen Mary. I actually cried the last time I was aboard her. It was around her lowest. She was deteriorating quite from the neglect the companies contracted to care for her were just fleecing Long Beach. Your coverage of her recovery is so uplifting, and hearing bits of her history with your enthusiasm makes me happy there are people like you who care about her as much as I do, and likely a lot more. Thank you!

[@AlextheHistorian]

I know EXACTLY how you feel. Prior to the year 2020, I wasn't a fan of Queen Mary, I thought she was interesting and then I finally visited her in January 2020. I did some research the night before, and was so excited to see the ship I was learning about. When I got there, what I saw was an exhausted ship that had been mistreated and forgotten. I left brokenhearted and more obsessed with a ship than I ever thought I would be. From that point on I dedicated myself to teaching more people about her and getting them to see what makes her so special. And the other day, I emailed the General Manager of the Queen Mary and offered ideas to make her more popular and profitable. The GM was impressed and told me he was taking notes and would present the ideas to his team, he really liked my ideas. I hope that at the end of the day, I've done everything I could to help this magnificent ship.

[@vwfanatic2390]

@@AlextheHistorian Maybe your efforts make the difference between her return to glory or at least sustain her support, vs her flailing and getting abandoned. I I’d love it if we could also rescue the USS United States, but I The QM is restored and made sustainable, I’d be happy and grateful for that.

[@coreybabcock2023]

It's a object

[@AlextheHistorian]

@coreybabcock2023 maybe to you. To us, the ship is much more.

[@coreybabcock2023]

@@AlextheHistorian people should worry more about the homeless and poverty

[@willowstree7670]

‘Stranger Things’❣️

[@King.of.Battleships]

Wait the Queen Mary had a radiation spa?

[@d.deckert6634]

The Queen Mary is docked in Long Beach California. Still amazing, and beautiful. I visited her often in the 70's thru 1992 🤗

[@chrisbutler7883]

This was a great video, Alex! I have to admit, no matter how much I *think* I know about her, you regularly surprise me with something I did not know about the Queen Mary - and there were quite a few surprises in this video. I really want to thank you for the research you are doing to dig these things up!

[@AlextheHistorian]

Thank you! I'm glad I can still find things that keep the Queen's story fresh and new.

[@avoicefromthedeepundergrou7108]

love that boat

[@LeCharles07]

0:57 They still are.

[@jetsons101]

Alex, top-notch work again. Until today I have never heard of "Ultra-Violet Irradiation Therapy or Infrared Irradiation Therapy till today --- doesn't sound safe.... Let me end with "Great Narration" and enjoyable historical storytelling, thanks.......

[@AlextheHistorian]

Glad you enjoyed it Mike!

[@jetsons101]

If you ever make it to the Redondo Beach area, I'll take you out for a "well earned" lunch and Coffee.....@@AlextheHistorian

[@AlextheHistorian]

@@jetsons101 Thank you! I'll take you up on that offer if I ever get the chance!

[@thedagenator2006]

loved this video! great and informative as always! would love to see more videos like this that focus of all sorts of different thing :)

[@AlextheHistorian]

There definitely will be :)

[@andrewwinders9532]

The free ice cream 🍨 😅

[@jcraigie]

"Oh no! grandma died :( " "Please accept this complimentary triple scoop of Rocky Road with our deepest condolences." Makes sense in a weird way TBH.

[@adriaanboogaard8571]

Thanks for the Wonderful Video. I was borne in California 1968. I went for a tour of the grand old Ship when I was a Child. My Aunt and Uncle had been aboard as Imagrants from the Netherlands after WWII. I'm one of those that remember such things and places from early Childhood. Thanks for the refresher.

[@hedgehog3180]

There's two possible reasons Stark refused to have his stomach pumped, either it was some weird masculinity thing or it was some weird class thing, I feel like the odds are roughly even.

[@WardenWolf]

With the butcher feeding the dogs, you KNOW they got first-class food.

[@drRusly]

I really enjoy the history of cruise medicine. Not many vlogger talk about it... p.s I am currently cruise doctor.

[@user-qo8fk1gz7c]

Great video!

[@mariemorgan7759]

Just love these stories about the Queen Mary, thanks 💕 Bakelite jewlery is highly collectable today, I would love to have some items from the 1930s.

[@auntbarbara5576]

Thank you Alex!

[@JaimeExploring]

Thank You! Alex, Always Insightful

[@robertbaxter4021]

Hi Alex, can you remember the story about the guy who ran around the entire promenade deck in 59 seconds? I was trying to tell my mum before but couldn't remember it properly

[@laurielaurie8280]

I do enjoy your videos Alex. You are a great narrator :))

[@AlextheHistorian]

Thank you!

[@EndOfLineTech]

Whatttt are you saying ghost stories and horror stories are easily faked. *gasp* no way.

[@jasongunther1929]

My favorite is the cats kept as mousers. I love cats!🐱

[@sarahpalms5258]

How cool!

[@psycleen]

titanic

[@Sn0teleks]

The “radiation therapies” you mentioned are not the same ionizing radiation your showing images of in your thumbnail. I got excited for nothing 🙄

[@worawatli8952]

13:56 TIL, when they serve free ice-cream aboard oceanliner, someone was a goner and taken up the ice-cream storage space.

[@leoshiphistory]

I Didn't know about this! thanks for sharing great videos as always!

[@robertswope924]

I would love to see this ship I heard a little girl died in the swimming pool don’t know if it’s true

[@AlextheHistorian]

It's a beautiful ship dripping with history! You'll love your visit if you ever get the chance. Unfortunately the story about the girl dying in the swimming pool is not true. It is a story used to sell ghost tours, but there are no records of anyone dying in the pool rooms. Especially not a young girl, because only adults were allowed in the ship's swimming pool rooms.

[@robertswope924]

@@AlextheHistorian gotcha

[@stijnVDA1994]

Wel to be fair butchers also had dog aswel to work with. For example rotweilers were actually use by butchers to get like a cow to be butchered so in a wierd way it actually makes sence!

[@danbrit9848]

every time i had ice cream with my church an old guy would say aww planned ice cream ...i asked one day what he ment ...he told me he used to be on a ship and if they had ice cream randomly it was never a good thing

[@trinketsmusings]

Great video Alex! Thanks! I think the most horrible use of asbestos was the old fire suits. Imagine slinking into one of those babies!

[@meduseld255]

Excellent video. You have so much knowledge.

[@RagtimeMikeinSD]

Wow... great video.

[@AlextheHistorian]

Thanks!

[@jenniferlevine5406]

Great video! Very interesting details about our favourite ship!

[@prudencepineapple9448]

The Bakelite family was certainly interesting!

[@ronaldmiller2740]

HI ALEX ,, WELL DONE ONCE AGAIN,,.. YOUR VIDEO WAS A GREAT LESSON ABOUT HER ,,THE OLD AND NEW TO THIS DAY.. SOME IDEAS AND GREAT THOUGHTS,, AND SOME SAD MOMENTS A GIN BOTTLE AND NEEDED TO PUMPED STOMACHS BECAUSE OF SOME MISTAKES AWFUL..AND A DEATH.. BUT A BIG GREAT SMILE AND LAUGH WAS A KITTY --KITTY ON BOARD WITH A PICTURE PASS PORT,, HA!!! THATS GREAT .. THANK YOU FOR THIS GREAT VIDEO!!! ARMY VETERAN....

[@AlextheHistorian]

Thanks Ronald!

[@kevinkern2149]

Is it true that the Queen Mary got a well deck as a nod to the White Star Line after its merger with Cunard, which happened while Queen Mary was being built? I read that somewhere, and it does sound a bit plausible to me, especially since Queen Elizabeth did without one. Then again, Queen Mary was noted for having somewhat old-fashioned lines in general (the fairly straight prow, the externally-braced funnels, the relatively restrained application of Art Deco on the interiors).

[@AlextheHistorian]

I don't think so because even though the companies merged, Cunard was the majority power. What they wanted for Queen Mary did not have to go through White Star Line management. Plus a Well Deck creates an open area which sacrifices enclosed space they could use for passenger amenities or accommodation.

[@gregduck7455]

Another amazing video, great job. You showed some great places onboard the Queen Mary. You have a really good presentation in your videos, so cool & educational. Back in September 1982 myself & my friend Glen spent the whole day going through the Queen Mary. 41 + years later so wonderful to see that she is doing well. Keep 'em coming, your videos are fab!

[@AlextheHistorian]

Thank you!

[@entertainmentwizard2703]

Great Video!

[@AlextheHistorian]

Thank you!

[@tunder975]

6:37 You can, but ffs mark it all around what it is 😂

[@jayrobinson7554]

😂😂 that cats paperwork! Even has a paw print 😂😂😂 x

[@Mythbuster3808]

Great so next time im on a cruise and we all start getting free icecream for no reason ill know why

[@Harlandwolf]

An excellent and very informative video. You touched on a few things that even I didn't know, such as no morgue and being the only Cunard liner to feature a well deck, among others. Enjoyed viewing it very much! Keep up the good work, appreciate it!😉

[@AlextheHistorian]

Thank you!

[@dennisescobar8266]

Great video , your videos are awesome ,just saw the disneyland and Disney world videos yesterday, could you possibly make one on the Ss Great Britain?

[@AlextheHistorian]

Yes, but I plan to visit the ship in order to film the footage I need to make the video.

[@johnw2026]

Who wants a free bowl of cadever flavored ice cream? 😆

[@robertaviles8451]

Just wondering 🤔 - is there any lingering radiation in the Turkish Baths area after all those years of X-ray Therapy sessions?

[@AlextheHistorian]

I dont know

[@criscris2959]

Maravilloso reportaje , gracias por incluir la traducción en español. Muy buen trabajo😊

[@AlextheHistorian]

Gracias! Feliz Navidad!

[@stevem1208]

Great video

[@AlextheHistorian]

Thanks!

[@gablings]

Fascinating history! Been watching you for a few weeks now and recently subscribed. The way you present your videos, the research and time put into it, among other things is really informative, to the point and enjoyable. All your QM videos have been very helpful with me understanding some things I had forgot about her or didn't know at all! These videos make me more excited for my upcoming trip to visit her.

[@AlextheHistorian]

Thank you so much! Well there's lots more Queen Mary content on the way!

[@donalddodson7365]

Thank you, Alex. I hope to visit her again. You are a great source of information. I certainly appreciate how many hours of research you invest in each episide. Blessings.

[@AlextheHistorian]

Thank you Donald!

[@gaemlinsidoharthi]

Thanks for this. Very interesting.

[@josephpiskac2781]

I am amazed as to how primitive the Queen Mary Bridge is. A presentation on how the Bridge functioned and when the ship received radar would be interesting.

[@AlextheHistorian]

Good idea! And in case you are curious, Queen Mary received radar for the first time during her days as a troopship during World War II. It was military grade. When the war ended and she was converted back into a passenger liner, she received the most advanced commercial grade radar.

[@ozziemederos]

Awesome video Alex

[@AlextheHistorian]

Thanks!

[@docjc1842]

I cannot get enough of videos like these! This is wonderful.

[@AlextheHistorian]

Thank you!

[@Kitfoxmk1]

Great video Alex, keep them coming.

[@AlextheHistorian]

Thanks!

[@davidpar2]

Love the Queen Mary vids. Very clearly explained

[@AlextheHistorian]

Thanks!

[@sharonrae]

What are oddities?🤔 Queen Mary is haunted👻 Sorry I was just asking.😔 I had no idea what it is oddities 🤔

[@AlextheHistorian]

Oddities means "odd things" or "strange".

[@sharonrae]

@@AlextheHistorian Thank you You are a good person and a good help too 😁

[@howtubeable]

Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him well. Horatio, wouldst thou like some free ice cream?

[@Pyracantic]

MOREEEEEE I LOVE YOU

[@scottfowler7680]

Great clip!

[@avoicefromthedeepundergrou7108]

where's the mini series? sets are already built...get a script writer ...permission from mayor...some actors, a director and your in business.need funding? go to the local yacht club...they love to donate money..they gots lots of it.and they love boats too...no brainer.

[@AlextheHistorian]

Much easier said than done.

[@markarca6360]

That means a risk for getting mesothelioma.

[@AlextheHistorian]

There is a risk only if the materials are cut or drilled into, because the asbestos is literally glued into the materials, it cannot become airborne on its own. But cutting or drilling work is never done around hotel guests, and when it happens the area is closed off and carefully cleaned afterwards. But I can't even think of the last time they had to cut or drill into it.

[@pramudyayudikawijaya1668]

Interesting

[@AuntieSocialNetwork]

Here is a crazy Queen Mary story. I remember it because I live in Long Beach and I had just moved here, and the woman who died was around my age. I think she was in her mid to late 20s and was dating a man, or was on a date with a man, who was 15 or so years older. (This is not relevant to the story really, but I sure remembered that part). If you are familiar with where it's currently docked, you still have to board the ship by an entry ramp of sorts that is above the water. As you can see from the picture, the ship is surrounded by a rock barrier to protect it from ocean swells... Apparently they had gotten in an argument while they were standing on this loading dock ramp thing, and somehow (???) she fell off/over it. She landed in the rocky/watery area between the ship and the shore and died. That's the whole story. But I was so shocked at the time like how did this freak accident even happen. It was maybe around 2013 for anyone who wants to look it up. I could be off a few years though.

[@AuntieSocialNetwork]

When I say Picture, I'm paused at 10:54 in the video

[@KLlott910]

There was some kind of a spa though. On Main Deck there are letters mentioning spa on the wall.

[@AlextheHistorian]

The Spa on Main Deck was added after the ship was retired and turned into a hotel in Long Beach. The Spa is using a former stateroom suite.

[@KLlott910]

@@AlextheHistorian Oh I didn't know! I wonder how good of the decision it was, I haven't heard about it being open for use.

[@AlextheHistorian]

Oddly enough I never hear any reviews about the Spa. It must not be very notable. I've seen photos of the inside...it looks like a normal Queen Mary suite but with lots of plants, dim lamps and massage tables. There's no mud baths or hot pool.

[@KLlott910]

@@AlextheHistorian I does seem very low key, I grabbed a recent marketing flyer on the ship that shows restaurants, some points of interests and very simplified map of the decks, they don't mention the spa. Those "spa" letters look very fancy on the wall tough.

[@fromoutofthepastpodcast]

Great video! Thanks for sharing!

[@taxpayer6079]

A very well done video.

[@AlextheHistorian]

Thanks!

[@PlanBProductioninc]

fascinating, thanks for such a cool set of unknown facts, but i think ill pass on the ice cream lol

[@AlextheHistorian]

Are you sure? It's to die for!

[@PlanBProductioninc]

Lol I’m kidding of course I visited the queen 30 years ago at that time the spruce goose was next door now a carnival terminal I think but the ship is fantastic more like functional art , I wish the SS United States was this lucky, but the Queen is so luxurious it’s incredible , thank you for your videos of this magnificent piece of living history, I think your videos help the momentum of continued preservation for future generations to enjoy ❤

[@AlextheHistorian]

Thank you!

[@PlanBProductioninc]

❤

[@coledonat3738]

Thank you for your service