RMS Queen Mary’s Whistle
RMS Queen Mary has one of the most iconic voices in maritime history. Her three deep-toned steam whistles, mounted atop the forward funnel, were tuned to a powerful 55 Hz fundamental, a frequency so low it bordered on the limits of human hearing.
When sounded together, they produced a rich, harmonic chord that could carry for more than 10 miles across the Atlantic. The effect was unmistakable: a resonant, almost cathedral-like bellow that became Queen Mary’s signature and helped define the sonic identity of Cunard liners for generations.
These whistles were more than functional equipment; they were a symbol of the ship’s presence and prestige. Crafted by Kockum’s predecessors and powered by the ship’s own steam, they embodied the engineering ambition of the 1930s superliner era.
Today the forward whistle is still sounded each day at noon on board the Hotel Queen Mary.
Queen Mary Custom Print
This new range of custom prints from The Cruise Maps is created in partnership with Cunard and marine illustrator Marc-Antoine Bombail. A complete collection of seven scale portraits spans 90 years of Cunard history, from Queen Mary (1936) to Queen Anne (2024).
We’ve known Marc-Antoine for decades and have always admired his wonderful artwork. We are proud to offer a 10% discount code in affiliation with The Cruise Maps.
Simply use the code “ChrisFrameOfficial” at checkout. Browse the collection here.
Note: This is an affiliate code, meaning if you buy these prints you get a 10% discount and we get a small commission at no cost to you.
