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The QE2 made her final ever visit to Cunard's spiritual home on the
3rd of October 2008. Below is a selection of stories from the day.
This photo taken with
the Wirral Cam |
City makes final farewell
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2008/10/03/city-makes-final-farewell-100252-21954594/
WHEN the QE2 sails out of the Mersey tonight in a cascade of
fireworks, it will be the end of a long love affair between thelegendary
liner and Liverpool.
It is many years since Cunard called the city its home, but the legacy
of the shipping giant lives on in the hearts of the people.
Last year, 60,000 wellwishers turned out to catch a glimpse of what many
consider the last great transatlantic liner as she lay at her berth
beside the new cruise liner terminal.
Today, at least that number were expected to bid the old lady farewell.
Cunard president Carol Marlow said: “QE2 was conceived and developed in
Liverpool within the walls of the magnificent Cunard Building on the
Pier Head, so it’s true to say this great city and the most famous ship
in the world have a very close bond.
“The QE2’s welcome when she has visited Liverpool has been legendary and
I’m sure this final call will be no exception.”
The QE2, whose official home is Southampton, made her maiden voyage 39
years ago.
But it was not until 1990 that she first docked in Liverpool to mark the
150th anniversary of the Cunard Line, founded in the city in 1840.
She was captained by Merseysider Robin Woodall as she sailed up the
Mersey, receiving a rapturous welcome with around 1.5m members of the
public turning out.
Ten thousand balloons were released from the deck as the liner arrived,
accompanied by a blast from the funnel, and – as this evening –
fireworks sent her on her way.
Today’s visit is the ninth to the city by the grand old lady of the
seas, and it is the last before she sails off to her new home in Dubai
in November.
The QE2 was built by the John Brown shipyard on Clydebank in Scotland
and was officially launched by the Queen in 1967.
But it was not until May 1969 that she took her first official maiden
voyage to New York, under the command of Merseyside’s Captain Bill
Warwick.
There have been dramas along with the many trips over the years.
In 1971, the QE2 rescued passengers from another ship, the Antilles,
after it ran aground.
In 1992, the liner herself hit uncharted rocks off Massachusetts in the
US. She also survived being hit by a 95ft wave after running into
Hurricane Luis in September 1995.
And in 1982 she was requisitioned as a troop carrier for the Falklands
conflict, transporting 3,000 troops to South Georgia.
Among those forces were the Welsh Guards, including Simon Weston, who
was due to speak at this afternoon’s celebratory farewell concert at
Liverpool cathedral.
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Robin knows QE2 so well
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2008/10/03/robin-knows-qe2-so-well-100252-21954596/
ONE passenger arriving on the QE2 today has more knowledge of the
legendary liner than most.
Former Captain Robin Woodall is among those who will be watching
expectantly from the deck when the ship sails up the Mersey at
lunchtime.
Captain Woodall, from Hoylake, worked for Cunard for 44 years, including
seven years as QE2 captain.
He was at the helm when the ship sailed into Liverpool in 1990 as part
of Cunard's birthday celebrations.
The 71-year-old, who is due to speak at this afternoon’s farewell
concert in Liverpool Cathedral, said: “For me it was a great honour and
privilege to be part of it.
“To bring that great ship into the river for the first time, it was a
wonderful day although technically it was a bit of a headache. The wind
and tide weren’t being very co-operative.
“What makes the QE2 so special? I wish I knew, I’d bottle it and sell
it! It’s just one of those things, some ships have just got it.”
The Birkenhead School old boy gained his masters certificate in 1960 and
joined Cunard’s passenger ship fleet.
He first served on board QE2 in 1968 as second officer, and returned as
relief master in 1987, being appointed master of the ship in 1990.
He said: “It was an ambition as a small boy, looking at pictures of the
old Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth, that’s what I wanted to do, and here
I was doing it with their successor.”
Since he retired 14 years ago, Capt Woodall has travelled on the QE2
several times as a passenger and says he has “got to like it.”
But members of the crew still greet their former captain and he often
finds his way up to the bridge, although not, he assures, to back seat
drive. He said: “I still get the best cup of coffee on board when I get
up there.”
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£30m superstar of the seas
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2008/10/03/30m-superstar-of-the-seas-100252-21954599/
The QE2 was built by John Brown shipyards at Clydebank in Scotland,
costing £29m.
The ship weighs 70,327 tons and is 963ft long and 105 ft wide.
She has a top speed of 32.5 knots powered by nine diesel electric
engines, each the size of a double-decker bus.
She can hold 1,900 passengers and 1,015 crew.
The ship has five restaurants, three swimming pools, a 530-seat cinema
and a hospital.
Her two split-level Grand Suites feature marble bathrooms, a private
veranda and glass conservatory.
Cunard’s first ship Britannia, would fit into QE2’s Grand Lounge.
A typical year’s itinerary for the QE2 will include a world cruise
lasting about 80 days, 30 Atlantic crossings, numerous cruises out of
Southampton and New York and several party cruises.
She has crossed the Atlantic more than 800 times, sailing more than 5.5m
nautical miles – more than any ship in history and equivalent to
travelling all the way to the moon and back 12 times.
One gallon of fuel moves her just 49.5 feet.
In May 1982 she was requisitioned as a troop transport for soldiers
heading for the Falklands War.
At least three of her captains have hailed from Merseyside, including
father and son William and Ron Warwick.
Among the hundreds of famous people who have travelled on the liner are
Nelson Mandela, Elton John, astronaut Buzz Aldrin, David Bowie,
Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, the Emperor of Japan and many
members of the Royal Family including the Queen and. |
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