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 | The George Kean Story Shipwright George Kean, pictured beside the remains of the Queen Mary's launch ways in 1994. George became a shipwright apprentice at the age of 16. One of his first construction projects was the Queen Mary. Before the liner was given a name, she was known only by her job number, "534". George Kean was one of the specialized workers who laid down the teak decking on the ship.
Throughtout the '70s, '80s and '90s, George provided many tours of John Brown's shipyard to visiting Americans. Finally, in 1993, he and his wife, Betty, came to stay on board the Queen Mary in Long Beach.
This page presents the story of a Queen Mary shipwright. He describes growing up in the 1930s in Clydebank, Scotland, and how his dream of a lifetime came true. |
The night George Kean and dignitaries from Britain arrived at Long Beach Airport to celebrate the Queen Mary's 59th Launch Anniversary was unforgettable. I was part of the welcoming committee and accompanied them in the shuttle van to the ship. I arranged to have a recording of George's favorite song, Roger Whittaker's The Last Farewell, played at the moment the Queen Mary came into view.
L to R: Betty Kean, George Kean and Diane Rush.
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| The builder's marks in paint and chalk, designating the frames, are still visable today in areas of the dry tanks and forepeak of the Queen Mary. Photograph: Stewart Bale. | Queen Mary under construction. Photograph: Stewart Bale. |
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George Kean and I standing in the lobby of the Main District Library in Clydebank. The stained glass window behind us depicts the major achievements and challenges of Clydebank. The Queen Mary, Singer Clock Tower and the WW II Blitz are featured. |
 | My favorite picture of shipwright George Kean taken on his 80th birthday in Clydebank. |
Model Builder Robin Jacobs showed George a copy of the Weekly Illustrated Special Edition of the Queen Mary's launch. George was amazed to recognize several of his fellow shipwrights pictured in the 59-year-old magazine. | 
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