Model Boat Mayhem
Mess Deck: General Section => Full Scale Ships => Topic started by: gary r uk on June 18, 2007, 11:02:49 am
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Discussion - Off-Topic: QE2 Retired.
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hi guys
i just pulled this from another forum r/c groups
cheers
gary
Story on Reuters
She's been bought by a Dubai group for $100 Million Dollars (£50 Million Pounds). She's to be turned into a hotel, just off the man-made palm tree-shaped island. Not too bad in my opinion, but I didn't expect her to be retired for another 10 years atleast.
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The story is on BBC news web site, I was surprised it was rtetired early.
Daryl
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Another opportunity lost ???
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Waste of a good ship if you ask me :(
Jay
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What a loss of a great ship. Another piece of our heritage lost. >:( >:( >:(
Brian
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I THINK ITS BECAUSE QUEEN VICTORIA IS DUE HER MAIDEN VOYAGE LATER THIS YEAR, BUT ITS STILL A FINE SHIP AND HAS MANY YEARS SERVICE IN HER ...
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That is quite surprising as Carnival/Cunard have been implying only recently that she has several years service life left. Maybe they were made an offer they couldn't refuse.
You have to remember that the ship is now 40 years old when a normal service life would be about 30 max. Refits can only achieve so much and I'm told the vessel is showing her age in various areas plus the basic design is early Sixties - everyone wants balcony cabins these days.
The fact that she is being retired while in relatively good nick is probably a good thing. Many preservation projects have failed because the ship had deteriorated too far to be economically restored.
It's probably just as well that they aren't trying to preserve her in this country which would be the kiss of death for sure!
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What a lot of people don't realise is that a ship of this age is actually very expensive to operate. All her equipment is now so outdated and inefficient that her fuel bill is crippling. She may be the fastest merchant vessel under the UK flag at the moment but no-one could afford to operate her at such speeds as 32 knots.
It's the end of a very long era and a very honourable career. She has been the flagship of the British Merchant Navy for as long as I have been working in it and I consider myself very fortunate to have worked on her in the past.
She is an icon of what we once held in high regard and comes from the days when British Engineering led the world with such things as the Concorde and the E-Type Jag. Sadly we no longer consider engineering as a worthy proffession and consequently cannot even make our own brand of car, cannot build ships, cannot produce our own textiles and cannot even mass produce our own pottery any more.
The QE2 going doesn't just mark the end of this era it marks the end of our pride in our ability to produce the best in the world.
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I THINK ITS BECAUSE QUEEN VICTORIA IS DUE HER MAIDEN VOYAGE LATER THIS YEAR, BUT ITS STILL A FINE SHIP AND HAS MANY YEARS SERVICE IN HER ...
Quite surprising (not) that she has been sold. I cannot recall a single year that she has not been castigated for hygiene breaches in the U.S.
Lovely to look at....but outdated. Much better retirement than that of "Canberra".
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The QE2 is indeed an icon these days but I well remember when she was launched she was an embarrasment to British engineering with severe turbine problems which I believe were never fully eradicated until her engines were replaced with German diesels (and even then the new props half fell off!).
However, Philip Dawson's book "British Superliners of the Sixties" goes into her design process in very interesting detail with comparisons against Canberra and Oriana of the same period. There's some interesting stuff with illustrations of her original decor, most of which has long since vanished with successive refits and partial rebuildings.
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I remember it well the day she was launched ,because I was there, sorry to se her go but all good things must come to a end [img] :
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To be fair Colin it wasn't half the Prop that fell off it was the "Grim Wheels" that actually fell off.
Propulsion was not affected in any way simply the idea of recovering wasted thrust from the wash didn't quite go as planned.
I agree her turbines may have not been the most reliable but her hull shape is without equal and she is the only ship remaining that can still be truly classed as a Transatlantic Liner. We will never see the likes of her ever again.
I think to class her as an embarrassment to British Engineering is a gross misrepresentation which I find very dissappointing.
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To be fair Colin it wasn't half the Prop that fell off it was the "Grim Wheels" that actually fell off.
Bunkerbarge,
Yes I know, I was exaggerating a bit but it just goes to show how empirical propeller design still is even in this day and age. I'm reading a book by the naval constructor D K Brown on battleships from Warrior to Dreadnought at the moment and it is interesting how successive designs relied upon tweaking an existing ship rather than designing something from the bottom up. Some of the Victorian techniques and empirical data on stability etc. continued in use until after WW2.
The publicity in the popular press that the QE2 turbine problems caused at the time was a huge embarrassment and I certainly found it disappointing as so much had been expected from the new ship. There was a lot of criticism in the maritime press too. Fortunately the ship went on to rise above it all and became the acknowledged flagship of the Merchant Navy.
If I might be an even more awkward SOB, I would not agree that QE2 is the last true transatlantic liner. The Queen Mary 2 has been built with strengthened hull and scantlings to make her suitable for "Winter - North Atlantic" in the old tradition and while I have reservations about her appearance I have no reason to doubt that she is in every way a worthy successor to the old Queens, unlike the more lightly built cruise ships which dominate the seas today.
Cheers,
Colin
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I know what you are saying Colin but to me there is a lot more to creating a Transatlantic Liner than adding a bit of stiffening up front and classifying her as North Atlantic capable.
The French may be quite willing to sell her as such but when you compare the two hulls out of the water you will be able to appreciate the differrence between cutting through the water with the beautiful Atlantic bow of the QE2 and the somewhat blunt instrument of the QM2 which relies on brute force to part the waves and ride over them with her size.
Call me old fashioned but the QM2 will never be a Transatlantic Liner for me in the same way as her predesesors were and the beauty is just as differrent below the water as it is above it.
I realise there will always be plenty of reference material out there to demonstrate otherwise but, as I said to me and maybe only me, the QM2 just doesn't cut it.
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I wouldn't disagree with you there Bunkerbarge. The QE2 looks like the thoroughbred she is but I really dislike the look of the QM2 even if she is North Atlantic capable by virtue of her size and stiffening. My personal view is that the original Queen Elizabeth and the United States were the high point of the transatlantic liners as far as looks are concerned. No doubt others would prefer the Normandie.
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Hi, I class myself lucky indeed, that my partner Jan and I, have just completed 2 cruises on QE2. 2 weeks in the Med in July 2006, and a 3 week cruise to the USA & Caribbean in April this year.
She is a beautiful ship, and the crew are wonderful, but she is showing her age now in many places.
It is very strange indeed, that on our last trip, one evening having a drink before dinner, i said this to Jan. "I reckon the QE2 will be decommissioned within the next few years, but not scrapped. I reckon she will be used as a floating hotel somewhere, as she is far too classy to end up under the scrappers torch".
Then less than 2 months later, comes the news that you guys are talking about. Am I psychic? ;D
I recommend that those who can, should travel on her before she goes, as she's so much different to the floating hotels that pass for cruise ships today.
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There is an advert in today's Times for QE2's last Southampton based cruise on 27th October 2008. 15 nights: Southampton-Lisbon-Cagliari-Naples-Messina-Dubrovnik-Zakinthos-Athens-Gibraltar-Vigo-Southampton. That's not a bad selection of ports.
Discounted prices start at £1,289 for a cabin in the bilges and go up to £9,149 for a Grand Suite.
I've heard that QE2 is a bit of a class conscious ship Didge - is that true?
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There is an advert in today's Times for QE2's last Southampton based cruise on 27th October 2008. 15 nights: Southampton-Lisbon-Cagliari-Naples-Messina-Dubrovnik-Zakinthos-Athens-Gibraltar-Vigo-Southampton. That's not a bad selection of ports.
Discounted prices start at £1,289 for a cabin in the bilges and go up to £9,149 for a Grand Suite.
I've heard that QE2 is a bit of a class conscious ship Didge - is that true?
In a way, I suppose that is true. Most evenings are 'formal' dress code. Tux, dickie bow etc, and I did find that a little tireing after a while. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind dressing up sometimes, but when it's most nights, and one just wants to relax, it can get on your nerves a bit.
Still, she IS a classy ship, and I suppose Cunard like to keep up the 'airs and graces' of the old time cruise ships as much as possible, and I could not fault the service or the food. It was superb.
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We had a week on Thomson Celebration last year. She used to be the Holland America Noordam of mid 70's construction, not long after the QE2. The ship's interiors were still quite traditional and attractive although I didn't much like her angular external appearance nor the truly awful paint job on the funnel. The atmosphere was much more relaxed - on the couple of "formal" nights a jacket and tie was quite acceptable, otherwise it was smart casual - jacket and no tie! Food and service were also pretty good and it was a lot cheaper than Cunard!
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The QE2 does have a degree of a class system in so far as the cabin you book dictates the restaurant you eat in. However you can pay a surcharge and eat in a higher class restaurant whilst occupying a lower class cabin.
Apart from that there are no public space restrictions so I don't think you can consider her as having a real class system as per the old First, Second, Third and Steerage!!
As for the formal nights most people who are attracted to sailing on her do not want the informal 'party' atmosphere of more modern vessels and they prefer the formal evenings. It's very much horses for courses and whenever I am asked about cruise ships I always emphasise that you need to pick the vessel that suits your own taste.
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and whenever I am asked about cruise ships I always emphasise that you need to pick the vessel that suits your own taste.
I think that is very sound advice Bunkerbarge.
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Colin,
Almost the same picture, different ship!
I've had many many good times on that ship in recent years, but it was bound to happen. I'm still unsure about whether it's 'right' to keep her or scrap her, but thats something none of us have control over.
Happy sailing
Ash
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To me she was a ship ahead of her time,stunning looking now, let alone when she was built.
The QM 2 is impressive but only because of her size, and what were they thinking with the stern ?.Although i have been told it had to be like that, something to do with water low around her pods.
It'll be sad to see QE 2 go, let hope she has a good life.
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I have just read this in paper
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/main.jhtml;jsessionid=BVDQ0AEK3FW1VQFIQMGCFFWAVCBQUIV0?xml=/travel/2007/06/21/etqe2120.xml
The article looks at how the industry has changed and the effect this has had on ships like QE2
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Sad, but better then be scraped.
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The QE2 with HER classic lines and distinctive look will I am sure be missed in all the ports SHE ever visited and sea's SHE sailed on will loose that majestic air in the wake of HER voyage's.
Yes I like the ship though never set foot on the decks, SHE will be missed at Southampton water and one claim to fame I can boast is that while on a tug in tow I (the tug and tow( held up the sailling of the Queen Elisabeth 2nd by 45 minuets as we could not leave the channel to get out of HER way, (pilot most annoyed)
Richard.
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Strip the superstructure off and turn it into a carrier, its gotta be cheaper?
Seriously, saw her in Corunna, must have been 83, looked well smart and farted at us three times as we went passed.
;)
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must have been 83
My God Paul - you're not THAT old are you? ???
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Even older than that! Col! :)
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I got bored yesterday at work and found this lurking under a bridge ;D
it had a visitor also no prizes of where the pitures were taken
(http://hometown.aol.co.uk/MillCol/QE2/IMG_0190.jpg)
(http://hometown.aol.co.uk/MillCol/QE2/IMG_0191.jpg)
(http://hometown.aol.co.uk/MillCol/QE2/IMG_0192.jpg)
(http://hometown.aol.co.uk/MillCol/QE2/IMG_0198.jpg)
(http://hometown.aol.co.uk/MillCol/QE2/IMG_0199.jpg)
(http://hometown.aol.co.uk/MillCol/QE2/IMG_0201.jpg)
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A set of nice pictures showing RFA "Fort George" or "Fort Victoria" with QE2. Both large ships but although both were built to "Merchant Navy" standards (with modifications in the case of the "Fort") the pictures graphically show how much ship design has changed in the last 40 years. Personally, I prefer the early version. I sailed on one of the new "Forts" and found it completely souless and more akin to a factory unit than a ship one could take pride in....efficient, yes. Nice? No. BY.
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I tend to agree with you Bryan
today most things are designed to have the following requirements
1) Make money
2) Make more money
3) Do what the are meant to
4) Make even more money
the end result is you have thing being built that are completely souless
The QM2 has no character and in my opinion and is like one of those DAKOTA hotels
a black box with rooms
Colin
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I, too, saw the QE2 in the Forth on Tuesday. Unfortunately, by the time I realised which vessel I was looking at and rescued my ever-present camera from the luggage rack, I had missed the photo opportunity.
I first saw the QE2 in Cherbourgh in summer 1974 when I was a) startled by what I though was a human figure at a door low in the hull as she approached the harbour. Between my eyesight and the size of the ship, I was startled to find that it was Tansit-type van waiting to disembark.
The other memorable happening that evening was, in wandering forward to have a closer view, I had crossed a barrier and had to show my passport to get back into France - fortunately, we had not long arrived in France and I had not yet given my passport to my (now) wife for safe-keeping!
There has recently been a number of floating hotels/floating holiday camps in the forth. I agree with others on this forum - they may be efficient - even cost effective - but lack the design flare of the old liners.
Is this a sign of aging.....or what?!
Earlier this year one of the new Stena Bulk ice-breaker oil tankers was in the Forth estuary - would have dwarfed the QE2 had she been there at the same time!
Bob
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This pic taken at the Kew show demonstrates the relative sizes (and shapes!) of QE2 and QM2. Models at 1:1200 scale by Jack Snary.
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Hi
For anybody interested QE2 and QM2 are leaving New York at 18:00 NY time, about 23:00 tonight I think. It's the last visit of the QE2 before she is converted into a block of flats, oops sorry, an hotel. She's being escorted out by fireboats so sholud be a good show if we can see it.
Information and web cam links here. http://www.digital-seas.com/fleet_tracking/reports/130108_ny_queens.html (http://www.digital-seas.com/fleet_tracking/reports/130108_ny_queens.html)
and also http://www.kroooz-cams.com/cunardindex.html (http://www.kroooz-cams.com/cunardindex.html).
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Wow....
Just seen the QM2 pass in front of the Statue of Liberty live on a webcam.....
Sad eh, %) %)
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quick picture, hopefully some more tomorrow..
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Another one, although the colour seems to have disappeared
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BBC Video... http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7684730.stm (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7684730.stm)
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Hi Guys,
Got to have my say on this one,
This is my reccolection of her. I started an apprentiship in Nottingham in 1979, the company was part of the Trafalger House group who at the time owned Cunard. When the Fauklands crisis hit we were on stand by, to go to Sothampton and do remedial work to strengthen the decks etc. I never made it but some of the chaps did and had a good time. very long hours worked and on a very tight dead line. She was then a National tresure, painted in dull grey and taking troops to liberate the Falklands.
When she came back, she was taken to Bremahaven and the same crew went out and did more work. The work was not completed and they sailed to New York, working 14 Hour days. Missed that one to.
Anyway, revenge, my wife and I did a East bound transatlantic crossing form New York to Southampton in July 06. That was the best Holdiday ever, just brilliant.
We left the hotel in Manhatten mid morning and the consierge hailed a Yellow cab for us, The magic started at that moment. The cabby said in the American Drawn "where to Sir" I replied the Ocen liner terminal and gave the grid refference street detials that I can no Longer remember, "no kidding man". He thought we were some rich excentric English. Ayway we got there and there she was.
Goos bumps, pride etc etc etc, those massive bows rising up form the water dwaffing every thing around, I walked along the key side at the side of her, I WAS IN HEVEAN. We went abord into the midships lobby and then had the most incredible 5 days. They crossed at 28 knots at that time and we did in inthe 5 days. We sailed out by Liberty and went into a heavy mist. We then had life boat drill and latter an Ice patrol plane flow over the ship for some time.
Regrets, yes, bloody fool me never asked to go into the engine room or bridge. I have a few quetsons, what was her maximum speed and woild it have been realistic to do a last, fast, crossing of the water before the old girl finished - who knows. I WILL BE IN Leeds on 11th November when she finally sets sail for the last time FROM Southampton. Much much to my disgust and anoyance, but the mortgause has to be paid.
A fond fairwell QE2 - Goodbuy & Good Luck - You will never be forgotton
Sea Commander
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The publicity in the popular press that the QE2 turbine problems caused at the time was a huge embarrassment and I certainly found it disappointing as so much had been expected from the new ship.
Unquote
The publicity at the time was no more accurate then as now. I well remember when the HP turbine gave problems on trials, a retired Master of the QM was wheeled out by the BBC to give his 'expert' opinion. He obviously did not know his resonant frequency from his stern gland and probably had not been in an engine room since his apprenticeship - and then briefly. However,he gave it as his opinion that probably a "boiler had burst". Any engineer watching must have been crying into his beer.
Barry M
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Sea Commander, the published top speed of QE2 is 32.5 knots, but I was assured by a senior member of the crew that she could do 36 knots if necessary, using all 9 diesel engines. We reached 30 knots on a number of occasions during our trip on her earlier this year, both in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, with 8 of her engines in use. The water goes past your porthole rather quickly at that speed, and the vibration was noticeable, particularly in the Grand Lounge. I have attached a photo of the ship's wake which I took from our cabin porthole on Deck 4. We were in the Caribbean Sea at the time.
Peter.
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hi all the fastest QE2 has ever gone is 33.8 knots on sea trials on her way home from Bremerhaven were she had her new engines fitted. this happened in April 1987.
john
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If it really could achieve 36 knots then it's a pity they didn't try and break the United States' 35 knot Blue Riband record. After all, it's not as if the enginges will be needed much longer. They will be removed when the ship reaches Dubai.
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When the QE2 was built, I thought god she is ugly compared to the QE, but as time has gone on and I when She passed me some years ago in the approaches to the solent, yes I changed my mind about her. In twenty years time, I expect a new generation will say how graceful the new queens are, after all it is all relative to the people of that time and tastes.
As to the present QE2, from the stories of people I have spoken to over the years, I am surprised she is still afloat. I expect bunkerbarge has heard tales from within the industry of the state of her frames etc under the engine plates out of sight. After all steel built ships are not built to last for ever, they do corrode in salt water quite well plus you have other types of corrosion which is just as fast as salt water. I am afraid to say it is her time and like all good ships, they are gas axed and the steel is used again after all a ship I served in for seven years was gas axed at twenty years of age.
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Dave,
The Arrochar.
Bob
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Hello Bob,
Yeah that was the old girl I was thinking off, we had some good as well as bad although not that many bad times. Yeah treat a vessel as a lady, protecting her from all kinds of mistreatment and at the end of the day a fellah comes along with a gas axe and recycles her. By the way Bob I do not how my reply to indirect tows got onto this page, so as a moderator can you please move it to tugs/indirect tows, many thanks.
David
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I was only repeating what I was told by a crew member. He claims that the speed of 36 knots was reached on her way to the Falkland Islands during the Falklands war, and was not publicised. Officially, the QE2's top speed is given as 32.5 knots.
Colin, according to the Popular Mechanics website, the SS United States could reach speeds of 44 knots, which seems incredible. The photo on the site shows her to be in a bad state of disrepair.
http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/transportation/4263478.html (http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/transportation/4263478.html)
Peter.
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Sea Commander, the published top speed of QE2 is 32.5 knots, but I was assured by a senior member of the crew that she could do 36 knots if necessary, using all 9 diesel engines. We reached 30 knots on a number of occasions during our trip on her earlier this year, both in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, with 8 of her engines in use. The water goes past your porthole rather quickly at that speed, and the vibration was noticeable, particularly in the Grand Lounge. I have attached a photo of the ship's wake which I took from our cabin porthole on Deck 4. We were in the Caribbean Sea at the time.
Peter.
Peter, because the speed increases as a function of the power cubed the ninth engine will have very little difference on the top speed. The load on the running engines would be more relevent. Top speeds quoted will usually be at a certain power ratingn not usually quoted at 100% so I'm sure the 32.5 could possibly be improved upon with perfect sea conditions, a clean hull, and very little house load so all available load is used for propulsion. As to whether she could achieve 36 is probably open to debate.
Just to give you an idea, we have 5 'V'configuration engines and can achieve about 20.5 knots in perfect conditions with a clean hull using four engines. The fifth engine, although adding another 25% available power would only take us to about 22-23 knots. So the final ninth engine on the QE2, adding a considerably smaller percentage to the total available power would have even less effect on top speed.
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Peter,
The 44 knots figure is open to question although I have seen it quoted before. It does rather seem to confound the laws of hydrodynamics. A more credible figure I have seen is 38 knots but who knows? I believe United States was fitted with the same power plant used for the Midway class carriers which had a quoted service speed of 33 knots.
The cruise line NCL own United States at the moment and, despite promises to return her to service have done nothing with her. Realistically, converting her to cruise service would be pretty impractical as her interior layout is entirely unsuitable but it is a pity that she couldn't be preserved in the same way that the Dutch have recently preserved Rotterdam.
Colin
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Hello,
I have caused some debate,
Clearly, the great or golden days of fast ocean travel are over. The modern ships are just not the same, a couple of points to mention. I also had heard 36 knots whilst going to the Faulkands, but it does seam a bit hopeful, that is well fast. What would you do if 70 000 tons was hertling towards you at 40 MPH? Whilst I'm know scientist , I have also seen the energy / power theory and acknowledge that the extra power will not make that much difference on top speed, at that time she was on turbines.
I also accept the point that the sea water will have a corrosive effect on the hull, plates, and frames. When I sailed home there was a noticable vibration on the shafts, and that was 12 years ago!!
I think it's time to say good buy, good luck & like the - QUEEN MARY - MAKE A NOTE TO VISIT SOME DAY -
Thanks
Seacommander <:(
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What would you do if 70 000 tons was hurtling towards you at 40 MPH?
I'd get out of the way...... QUICKLY. {-) {-)
Peter.
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I was in Bosham, Sussex today where there is a photographic studio selling images of local scenes. One which particularly appealed to me was a photo of the three Cunard Queens together http://web.mac.com/costen1/Site_2/Pictures_to_buy.html
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It is a lovely photo, Colin, but I still prefer QE2's appearance, she looks like a real liner. Having said that, I would love to have the opportunity to sail on QM2, people I have spoken to, who have been on her, say she is magnificent. One Australian couple we spoke to while we were on QE2, said the only problem with QM2, as far as they were concerned, was that she didn't move. When I commented that I thought that would be a good thing, they said they like to feel the movement of a ship, and I have to say I agree.
Peter.
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Oh dear.
How many times has she been into Southampton???
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/hampshire/7720966.stm
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She doesnt wont to go <:( . As she know her new owners have no taste whats so ever >>:-( <*< <*< <*< <*< <*< :police: >:-o >:-o >:-o. That what you get with these new money types , who would by the mona lisa and draw a pair of sun glasses on her mm . SO DONT CUT HER FUNNEL OFF.
john
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She doesn't want to go to Dubai and have her funnel cut off and her engines taken out. Can you blame her? Mind you, everyone who is anyone runs ashore on the Brambles at least once. The other two Queens managed it. They even play cricket on the bank once a year at low water springs.
Pity she's leaving after dark or I would have gone down to see her off. Timing seems to be dictated by the tides though. Said my goodbye last year, see below.
Colin
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Its not only the funnel thats being removed, they are also ripping out all the cabins etc. >>:-(
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A Link to the QE2 leaving will start at 6.30 tonight.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/
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Just watching online.
Very emotional occasion. I am reminded of Masefield's words, originally written to commemorate the clipper ships:
These splendid ships, each with her grace, her glory,
......
They mark our passage as a race of men—
Earth will not see such ships as those again.
Colin
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I've just watched online too....
can't understand why the last part was not broadcast on BBC TV, after all they have four channels of rubbish on, you think they could have spared one..
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They got it off the putty this morning then? %)
Lance
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Rising tide and 4 tugs!!
Bob
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Very sad indeed. My association with the QE2 came about in its final year of service, on the return leg of its last world cruise, from Sydney to Southampton. Speaking to many crew members, from various departments of the ship, it very quickly became obvious how deeply attached they all were to the gracious old liner. From the housekeepers to the officers, up to and including the captain, all were extremely proud of the ship, and very conscious of her place in maritime history.
Peter.
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sad time . just got back from seeing her of. There were thousands of people there. got some photos not very good will try and put them up tomrow.
john
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For any one who still wants to see this historic event use the site above and click on local news Hampshire
after posting this I still missed it
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Here's the view from Mayflower park last night. Southampton council laid on a very well organised even for the locals with catering, funfair and giant TV screen relaying the continuous live coverage from the local TV channel.
Not all the camera shake is down to hypothermia - it was a very emotional event with 10's of thousands of people cramming the seafront to get a last glimpse of the ship that had become such a permanent part of their live. Apologies for publishing what is quite the worse picture ever to appear on Mayhem, but it's all I've got!
(http://www.viewing.com/steam/DSCN0648%20small.jpg)
They brought the ship back upriver to stop alongside the park, towering over us and yet still maybe 1/4 mile away. She is truly a huge ship and all the more vast with her thousands of brilliant lights in the pitch black (and completely freezing) night. I was able to talk to my flying partner John who has been a QE2 regular and was on the invitation list for this final voyage, but with no chance of seeing him on the rail or him seeing me in the vast crown. It did sound as if they were having a good time on board, however.
There was a tremendous firework display, during which the ship nearly dissapeared in smoke. There was tremendous sounding of her sirens, an address from the Captain, playing of 'Hearts of Oak', etc and then she moved off down river, very slowly at first, to the strains of 'Sailing'.
(http://www.viewing.com/steam/DSCN0651%20small.jpg)
So here's the last view that I, and most others, will ever have of her as the heads out to Lisbon and her new home. Bon voyage, beautiful lady.
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Emotional, impressive, moving and sad......but WHY?
Sold abroad.....WHY?
Scrapped.....WHY?
She is a symbol of Britain and should be kept in Britain after retirement...... <*< <*< <*<
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Emotional, impressive, moving and sad......but WHY?
Sold abroad.....WHY?
Scrapped.....WHY?
She is a symbol of Britain and should be kept in Britain after retirement...... <*< <*< <*<
Sorry for this, but we (in the UK) have a less than impressive record when it comes to "preserving" national icons. Apart from "Warrior", "Cutty Sark", "Great Britain", "Belfast" and a couple of others (Not "Victory" as she is still a commissioned ship) we haven't a lot to shout about. I think the MoD(N) may have done their best, and a fair few local councils have tried and failed to interest the general public (Cavalier may be OK for now). But who would be willing to pay the upkeep on something as big as QE2?
Where would you put it? I think that it has probably got the best home possible and will not suffer the degeneration being suffered by "Queen Mary". Ships are machines. People get attached to them on an emotional level, but once they have outlived their MOT Cert then they have to go. Having said all that, I would like to see another "proper" liner built if only to show that modern ships don't have to look like a block of flats. BY.
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Bryan you make some fair points.
were to keep her well there are 3 sites in the UK that spring to mind . As for the pay of her up keep . well she is in good nick , so she could be come a museum or hotel . There charitable trust status bit like the Britannia set up. I don't know on this but from what is emerging Cunard did the deal with Dubai and that was that. there was no biding process or other made aware of the sale. remember when Cunard was owned before carnival a groupe of Southampton business men from a consortium and made Cunard an offer . Cunard said they want to hold on to Qe2 for a while and were not ready to sell her.
you say about the degeneration of Queen Mary i don't know what you mean
As for new liners whats wrong with QM2 she a one off like QE2 was.
johe
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They could have at least touched up the paint on the bow before her final voyage. I was distressed to see the first frames of this video from Rueters:
http://www.reuters.com/news/video?videoId=93698&videoChannel=1
Chuck
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I think is referring to the sad sate of affairs that the Queen Mary in Long Beach is in, she never has really made money as a hotel, she has not made it as a tourist attraction either. When hotel people buy a ship like either of Queens to turn them into floating hotels they have no experience in ships and the maintenance that they require. Unlike a regular hotel there is always hull, deck and many other things that require constant upkeep and maintenance if from nothing else the salt air. These things have acres of metal that need to be striped and re painted.
Andre :-)
over yonder in Portland Oregon
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They could have at least touched up the paint on the bow before her final voyage. I was distressed to see the first frames of this video from
Chuck
I spoke to passengers in Liverpool a few months ago who arrived on the Qe2, and one said he'd travelled on her 15 times, and had never seen her in such a state, it was as if they were not going to spend anything on her prior to sailing to Dubai, which was a fair comment, but the cruises were not cheap, and at least they could have replaced batteries in the remote controls in the cabins, which was only a few pence
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Great photos, Colin. :-))
Below is a series of shots I took as we were going ashore in Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii. It was a glorious day and the water was a fabulous blue. I took many photos of the ship during our cruise, but these are my favourites.
Peter
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Carnival/Cunard have no sentimental attachment to the ship. They have simply milked the publicity for the "Cunard" image. They just want more paying punters on their other ships, although if the knockdown prices being offered on Queen Victoria cruises are any indication, they may be having some trouble. And there is the new Queen Elizabeth currently building which will need to be filled too.
On balance it would probably have been better to have scrapped her like P&O insisted with the Canberra.
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Your shots are excellent Peter, she is a graceful looking ship.
When the old Queen Mary went to Long Beach, quite a lot of preservation was done on her. The funnels were replaced with stainless steel replicas and a special treatment was applied to the hull to inhibit corrosion. But Andre is right, there is still a huge amount of other ongoing maintenance required to a steel structure in a saltwater environment. When we stayed on ther in September 2001 I noticed that the bottom was dropping out of most of the lifeboats where water had been allowed to accumulate.
Colin
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I see she didn't run aground on the Bramble Bank as 1st said, she got round the West Bramble buoy then left the channel on the red side, grounded off Calshot beach
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A bit of understeer then! Tyres worn I expect! :-)
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If you look on local shipping news on www.ais-live.co.uk there's a speeded up video of the grounding via ais
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Excellent find there Capt Jack! I know the area well and that's quite a long way off course!
Colin
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If you look on local shipping news on www.ais-live.co.uk there's a speeded up video of the grounding via ais
There's a lot on that site.... can you point me to the clip please?
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On the left of the screen you'll see local shipping news, click on that and its the 1st item.
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Try this link Martin.
http://www.ais-live.co.uk/News/shippingnews.html
She was a bit off course wasnt she ?
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Arriving at Gibraltar this morning;
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And leaving this evening, far into The Straits at the time of the photo (18:00 CET).
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Fascinating :-))
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I think every one is overlooking the most sad and greatest tragedy about her going, that is we no longer have the facilities or skill base to build another QE2.
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Almost finished with engines now. Here's the Cunard webcam at 13:00
http://www.cunard.co.uk/bridgecam/qe2_cam1.asp (I've grabbed a shot to post later)
Earlier I got this message from a friend who is on board:
"I will take photographs of the wake and also get as much detail of the usage of the nine diesels. Speed to day has been up to 29 knots - yes it was supposed to achieve 32 - I had more details from the B of T Inspector who oversaw the original commissioning in 1968-9, he was on board during our last trip. will find out maximum achieved on the voyage - they say we will be slowing down - we can both only guess which areas require the greatest speed !. Cdr Warwick is on board, he has been giving very interesting talks, have spoken to him about the early turbine failures will try and locate him for details of the diesel usage. Technology will not alow me to send picture details, may be able to get some to you when we are in Dubai"
I'll ask him if I can share the photos on here.
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Anyone know anything about QE2's centre/bow anchor?
A friend pointed it out in the photo below but seems to have been removed quite early on... {:-{
(http://www.titanicandco.com/qe2a.jpg)