Set up in 1977, the North West Film Archive preserves moving images made in or about Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Cheshire, Merseyside and Cumbria and offers a variety of access services to users in the public, academic and commercial sectors.
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Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Names and Launches RMS Windsor Castle 38.000 tons
The launch of a majestic liner, and a triumph for British shipbuilding skills.
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Overview
In summer sunshine, on 23 June 1959, crowds at the Cammell Laird shipyard in Birkenhead await the arrival of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother for the launch of the RMS Windsor Castle. After the launch, the ship moves to a fitting out dock; one year on, we visit the finished vessel to see her splendid interior, before she embarks upon her sea trials.
At that time, the RMS Windsor Castle was the largest liner to have been built in England. She was built for the Union-Castle Line, carrying passengers and cargo on the Britain-South Africa route.
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