Home > Ocean Liners > QE2 > QE2 News > QE2 News 2008 > QE2's Farewell to Liverpool
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 was taken with the Wirral Cam
City makes final farewell
Oct 3 2008 by Catherine Jones, Liverpool Echo
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.
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.
Robin knows QE2 so well
Oct 3 2008 by Catherine Jones, Liverpool Echo
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.”
BBC Coverage -
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/merseyside/7649875.stm
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.”
BBC Coverage -
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/merseyside/7649875.stm
£30m superstar of the seas
Oct 3 2008 by Catherine Jones, Liverpool Echo
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.
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.