Queensway Bay in Long Beach in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Anti-Aircraft Gun

The Queen Mary Tour

Photographed by Craig Baker, June 6, 2024

1. Anti-Aircraft Gun Marker

Inscription.
Twin 40 MM Anti-Aircraft Heavy Machine Gun
When war was declared in September 1939, the British Admiralty began to consider how best to use the Queen Mary for the war effort.
After some debate, which included the strong possibility of conversion to an aircraft carrier, it was decided that because of her size and speed, she was best suited as a troop carrier.
For defense, the ship was fitted with a wide array of armament which included five 40 MM machine guns similar to this one.
The length of the barrels measure 94.8 inches, and the gun has a range from 3,000 to 5,000 yards. A crew of seven, headed by a gun captain, were assigned to man it.
The crew were responsible for keeping the guns in good working order and ready for action, frequently firing them for practice.
Despite the readiness of the Queen Mary's gun crews, she never encountered enemy action by air or sea, and never had cause to fire her guns in anger.
Most armament was removed from the ship in May and June 1945, the remainder was taken off during her post-war refit in 1947.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, World II • Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 33° 45.198′ N, 118°

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

11.449′ W. Marker is in Long Beach, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in Queensway Bay. It can be reached from Queens Highway 1½ miles south of Ocean Boulevard, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1126 Queens Hwy, Long Beach CA 90802, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles

and in the Transverse Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: R.M.S. Queen Mary (within shouting distance of this marker); Queen Mary Propeller (approx. 0.2 miles away); Long Beach Veterans Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); G.A.R. Civil War Monument (approx. half a mile away); Evolution of a Skyline (approx. half a mile away); In Their Honor (approx. 0.6 miles away); Transpacific Yacht Race (approx. 0.6 miles away); Easter Island Moai (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Long Beach.

Anti-Aircraft Gun and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, June 6, 2024

2. Anti-Aircraft Gun and Marker

Anti-Aircraft Gun image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, June 6, 2024

3. Anti-Aircraft Gun

On the Promenade Deck, forward of the Bridge.

Russian Submarine image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, June 6, 2024

4. Russian Submarine

No longer open to the public.

The Queen Mary image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, March 20, 2019

5. The Queen Mary

Credits. This page was last revised on June 7, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 7, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 461 times since then and 78 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 7, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 5. submitted on March 22, 2019, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.