 As construction continued on the new ship, Cunard found itself in increasing financial difficulties as increased competition from airlines resulted in the company's passenger ships losing money.With profits from its cargo ships eventually unable to offset the losses, Cunard was forced to sell "Mauretania", "Sylvania", "Carinthia", "Caronia", "Queen Mary" and "Queen Elizabeth" between 1965 and 1968.Income also fell due to a seven-week-long seamens' strike in 1966.