Transatlantic Crossing
This isn’t just a “cruise” for me. This is part of honoring the memory of my parents, Patrick & Eileen. In May of 1955 they emmigrated to the United States for a chance at a better life for themselves and their family (my sister and I weren’t born yet).
Born and raised in County Donegal, Ireland, they married in Donegal in 1948, had their first child while living in Scotland in 1950 and then set out to fulfill their dream in the US. On May 12, 1955 they sailed from Southampton, England to New York on the ocean liner Queen Elizabeth by Cunard Line. This week I am honoring their risk, fears, anxiety, challenges and dreams by sailing the opposite direction on the Queen Mary 2, also by the Cunard Line. We will spend a couple of days in London and then move on to Ireland for an additional three weeks.
I can’t even imagine what it was like for my parents who came from incredibly modest means to board a ship as elegant as the Queen Elizabeth and venture across the North Atlantic Ocean to the unknown.
I think their tenacity and courage have paid off! Their new life in America was very good, and their dream of their kids having a better life than they had has certainly come true. I will never take for granted the life I have thanks to Pat & Eileen.
Thanks Mom & Dad
This is the ship manifest for my parents journey (hand This is the ship manifest for my parents journey. You’ll see their names at line 11 & 12. For the three of them, they only had two pieces of luggage (hand typed on a type-writer back in the day). You’ll see their names at line 11 & 12. For the three of them, they only had two pieces of luggage.
The route for the 3150 mile transatlantic crossing.
The original Queen Elizabeth Oceanliner
The Queen Mary 2 Oceanliner, a sister ship to the Queen Elizabeth.
