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{{for|the monarch|Elizabeth II}} |
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WHITE POWER ACTIVATE ALL NEGROS DIE |
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{{Redirect|QE2}} |
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{{Use British English | date = July 2014}} |
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{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2012}} |
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{|{{Infobox ship begin |display title=ital}} |
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{{Infobox ship image |
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|Ship image=QE2 leaving southampton water.jpg|300px |
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|Ship image size = 300px |
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|Ship caption=''Queen Elizabeth 2'' leaving [[Southampton Water]] and entering into [[the Solent]]. |
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}} |
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{{Infobox ship career |
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|Hide header= |
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|Ship flag= |
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|Ship name=''Queen Elizabeth 2'' |
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|Ship owner=*1969 bc –1998 ac: [[Cunard Steamship Company]] Ltd |
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*1998–2008: [[Carnival Corporation & plc]] |
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*2008–present: [[Istithmar]], [[Dubai]] |
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|Ship operator= 1969–2008: Cunard Line |
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|Ship registry=*1969–2008{{flagicon|United Kingdom|civil}} [[Southampton]], [[United Kingdom]] |
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*2008–present: {{flagicon|VUT}} [[Port Vila, Vanuatu]] |
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|Ship route=North Atlantic and Cruising during Cunard service |
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|Ship ordered=1964 |
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|Ship builder=[[John Brown and Company]] ([[Upper Clyde Shipbuilders]]), [[Clydebank]], [[Scotland]] |
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|Ship original cost = [[Pound sterling|£]]29,091,000 <!--(£{{Formatprice|{{Inflation|UK|29091000|1965|{{CURRENTYEAR}}|r=-4}}}} as of {{CURRENTYEAR}}){{Inflation-fn|UK|df=y}}--> (£368Million at 2016 value). |
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|Ship yard number=736 |
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|Ship hull id= |
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|Ship laid down=5 July 1965 |
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|Ship launched=20 September 1967 by [[Elizabeth II|Queen Elizabeth II]] |
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|Ship completed=26 November 1968 (Sea trials commenced) |
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|Ship christened=1967 by Queen Elizabeth ll |
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|Ship acquired= |
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|Ship maiden voyage=2 May 1969 |
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|Ship in service= 1969–2008 |
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|Ship out of service=27 November 2008 |
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|Ship status=Laid up in [[Port Rashid]] since 4 June 2009 |
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|Ship identification=*{{IMO Number|6725418}} |
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*1968–2009: [[Callsign]]: GBTT, [[UK Official Number|British ON]] 336703 |
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*2009–present: Callsign: YJVW6, {{MMSI|576059000}} |
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}} |
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{{Infobox ship characteristics |
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|Ship class=[[Ocean liner]]/[[Cruise ship]] |
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|Ship tonnage={{GT|70,327}} |
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|Ship displacement=49,738<ref name = PSIX>[https://cgmix.uscg.mil/psix/psixsearch.aspx Maritime Information Exchange], search for Queen Elizabeth 2</ref> |
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|Ship length={{convert|963|ft|1|m|abbr=on}} |
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|Ship beam={{convert|105|ft|1|m|abbr=on}} |
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|Ship height={{convert|171|ft|1|m|abbr=on}} |
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|Ship draught= |
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|Ship draft={{convert|32|ft|1|m|abbr=on}} |
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|Ship depth= |
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|Ship decks=9 |
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|Ship deck clearance= |
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|Ship ice class= |
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|Ship sail plan= |
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|Ship power=9{{nbsp}}×{{nbsp}}MAN B&W 9L58/64 (9{{nbsp}}×{{nbsp}}10,625{{nbsp}}kW) |
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|Ship propulsion=*[[Diesel-electric transmission|Diesel-electric]] |
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*Two GEC propulsion motors (2{{nbsp}}×{{nbsp}}44{{nbsp}}MW) |
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*Two five-bladed variable-pitch propellers |
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|Ship speed=*{{convert|34|kn}} (max)<br> |
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*{{convert|28.5|kn}} (service) |
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*{{convert|20|kn}} (astern). |
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|Ship capacity=*1,777 passengers |
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*1,892 (all berths) passengers |
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|Ship crew=1,040 |
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}} |
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|} |
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The '''''Queen Elizabeth 2''''', often referred to simply as '''''QE2''''', is a retired [[ocean liner]] built for the [[Cunard Line]] which was operated by Cunard as both a [[transatlantic liner]] and a [[cruise ship]] from 1969 to 2008. She was designed for the transatlantic service from her home port of [[Port of Southampton|Southampton]], UK, to New York, and was named after the earlier Cunard liner {{RMS|Queen Elizabeth}}. She served as the [[flagship]] of the line from 1969 until succeeded by {{RMS|Queen Mary 2}} in 2004. Designed in Cunard's then headquarters and regional offices in Liverpool and Southampton respectively, and built in [[Clydebank]], [[Scotland]], ''QE2'' was considered the last of the great [[transatlantic crossing|transatlantic]] ocean liners until ''Queen Mary 2'' entered service. |
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The QE2 was also the last oil-fired passenger [[steamship]] to cross the [[Atlantic Ocean|Atlantic]] in scheduled liner service until she was refitted with a modern diesel powerplant in 1986/1987. During almost forty years of service, ''Queen Elizabeth 2'' undertook regular world cruises and later operated predominantly as a [[cruise ship]], sailing out of [[Southampton]], England. ''QE2'' had no running mate and never ran a year-round weekly transatlantic express service to New York. ''QE2'' did, however, continue the Cunard tradition of regular scheduled transatlantic crossings every year of her service life. ''QE2'' was never given a [[Royal Mail Ship]] designation, instead carrying the [[steamship|SS]] and later [[Motor vessel|MV]] or [[Motor ship|MS]] [[ship prefix|prefixes]] in official documents.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.roblightbody.com/liners/qe-2/her_name.htm |title=QE2 ''not'' RMS |accessdate=21 August 2012}}</ref> |
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''QE2'' was retired from active Cunard service on 27 November 2008. She had been acquired by [[Istithmar]] the year before by the [[private equity]] arm of [[Dubai World]], which planned to begin conversion of the vessel to a 500-room floating hotel moored at the [[Palm Jumeirah]], [[Dubai]].<ref name=asa>{{cite news|last=Fitch|first=Asa|title=QE II Ocean Liner Heads to Asia to Become Floating Hotel|url=http://www.zawya.com/story/QE_II_Ocean_Liner_heads_to_Asia_to_become_floating_hotel-ZW20130117000111/|newspaper=Zawya|date=19 January 2013}}</ref><ref name="Cunard Press Release">{{cite web|url= http://www.cunard.com/AboutCunard/NewsReleases.asp?Cat=&View=ViewArticle&Mode=News&ContentID=6656&Active=News |publisher=Cunard.com|title=QE2 To Leave Cunard Fleet And Be Sold To Dubai World To Begin A New Life At The Palm|year=2007|accessdate=20 June 2007|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070706160214/http://www.cunard.com/AboutCunard/NewsReleases.asp?Cat=&View=ViewArticle&Mode=News&ContentID=6656&Active=News <!--Added by H3llBot-->|archivedate=6 July 2007}}</ref> The [[Financial crisis of 2007–08|2008 financial crisis]] however intervened and the ship remains laid up at Port Rashid.<ref name="CLYDE">{{cite news|last1=Morris|first1=Hugh|title='Forlorn' QE2 is not coming home from Dubai, campaigners concede|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/12097316/Forlorn-QE2-is-not-coming-home-from-Dubai-campaigners-concede.html|accessdate=18 January 2016|publisher=Teleegraph Media Group|date=January 13, 2016}}</ref> Subsequent conversion plans were announced by Istithmar in 2012<ref>{{cite news|title=Cruise liner Queen Elizabeth 2 to be converted into hotel |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/travel/cruise-liner-queen-elizabeth-2-to-be-converted-into-hotel/article1-902010.aspx |accessdate=29 August 2015 |publisher=HT Media Limited |date=3 July 2012 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904050816/http://www.hindustantimes.com/travel/cruise-liner-queen-elizabeth-2-to-be-converted-into-hotel/article1-902010.aspx |archivedate=4 September 2015 }}</ref> and by the ''Oceanic Group'' in 2013<ref>{{cite news|title=New home for Queen Elizabeth 2|url=http://travel.cnn.com/new-home-queen-elizabeth-2-764401|accessdate=18 January 2016|publisher=CNN International|date=18 January 2013}}</ref> but these both stalled. As of January 2016 the ship remains laid up in Dubai while the port operator claimed that there were future plans for the ship and no intent to scrap her.<ref name="CLYDE"/> |
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==Characteristics== |
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At the time of retirement, the ship had a [[gross tonnage]] of 70,327 and is {{convert|963|ft|m|abbr=on}} long. ''QE2'' had a top speed of {{convert|32.5|knots|km/h}} with her original steam turbines; this was increased to {{convert|34|kn|km/h}} when the vessel was re-engined with a diesel-electric powerplant.<ref name="chrisqe2hist">{{cite web|url=http://www.chriscunard.com/qe2_history.php|title=QE2 History|work=Chris' Cunard Page|accessdate=5 January 2010|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100531152557/http://www.chriscunard.com/qe2_history.php|archivedate=31 May 2010|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.roblightbody.com/liners/qe-2/1987_Refit/index.htm |title=QE2's Major 1986–1987 re-engining refit |accessdate=5 January 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|author=Chris Frame & Rachelle Cross |title=The QE2 Story |isbn=978-0-7524-5094-0 |publisher=The History Press, Stroud }}</ref> |
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==History== |
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===Concept and construction=== |
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[[File:QE2 in John Browns shipyard - geograph.org.uk - 111928.jpg|left|thumb|Number 736 on the slipway]] |
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By the mid 1960s transatlantic travel was dominated by air travel due to its speed and low cost relative to the sea route, and expansion of air travel showed no signs of slowing down. Conversely, {{RMS|Queen Mary|3=2}} and ''Queen Elizabeth'' were becoming increasingly expensive to operate, and both internally and externally were relics of the pre-war years. Cunard did not want to give up the business of passenger service, and so gambled $80 million on a new ocean liner to replace the original ageing ''Queens''.<ref name="chriscunard">{{cite web |url=http://www.chriscunard.com/qe2_facts.php |title=QE2 Facts |year=2010 |work=Chris' Cunard Page |accessdate=13 May 2010 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100601204701/http://www.chriscunard.com/qe2_facts.php |archivedate=1 June 2010 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> |
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Realising the decline of transatlantic trade, and the rising costs of fuel and labour, Cunard decided their new ship had to be smaller and cheaper to operate than her predecessors. The new ship was designed to run at the same service speed of {{convert|28.5|kn|km/h}} as the previous ''Queens'', using half the fuel. Staff was also reduced from the levels on the older vessels. ''QE2'' would also be able to transit the [[Panama Canal]] and her draught was seven feet less than her predecessors, allowing her to enter ports that the old ''Queens'' could not, and compete with the new generation of cruise ships.<ref name="chriscunard"/> |
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The interior and superstructure for the QE2 was designed by [[James Gardner (designer)|James Gardner]]. His design for the ocean liner was described by The Council of Industrial Design as that of a "very big yacht" and with a "look [that was] sleek, modern and purposeful".<ref>QE2 [http://maritime.elettra.co.uk/qe2/design/ Engineering and Design]</ref> |
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Originally designated ''Q4'' (a previous ship design ''Q3'' had been abandoned due to falling passenger revenues on the North Atlantic),<ref name="TheQE2Story">{{Cite book|title=The QE2 Story |last=Frame |first=Chris |last2=Cross |first2=Rachelle |year=2009 |publisher=The History Press |location=UK |isbn=978-0-7524-5094-0}}</ref> she was to be a three-class liner. However, looking to ''France'', designs were changed to make ''Q4'' a two-class liner that could be modified into a single-class [[cruise ship]]; transatlantic line voyages in the summer would be two-class, while warmer water cruises in the winter would be single-class.<ref name="hist1">{{cite web|url=http://members.tripod.com/~Tziper/history.htm |title=Queen Elizabeth 2: History |publisher=Members.tripod.com |accessdate=14 July 2010}}</ref> |
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''Queen Elizabeth 2'' was built by the John Brown Shipyard in [[Clydebank]], Scotland. The keel was laid down on 5 July 1965, as hull number 736 on the same plot where iconic liners such as {{RMS|Lusitania|3=2}}, {{RMS|Aquitania|3=2}}, ''Queen Mary'', and ''Queen Elizabeth'' had been constructed. She was launched and named on 20 September 1967 by [[Elizabeth II|Queen Elizabeth II]], using the same pair of gold scissors her mother and grandmother used to launch ''Queen Elizabeth'' and ''Queen Mary'', respectively.<ref name="hist1" /> On 19 November 1968 she left John Brown's fitting out berth,<ref name="QE2History">{{cite web|url=http://www.qe2.org.uk/history.html |title=QE2 – History |accessdate=7 October 2008}}</ref> and travelled down the [[River Clyde]] to the [[Firth of Clyde]] Dry Dock at Inchgreen, [[Port Glasgow]], for final trials and commissioning.<ref name="Highhopes">{{cite news|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4156/is_20020505/ai_n12576177 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904050816/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4156/is_20020505/ai_n12576177 |dead-url=yes |archive-date=4 September 2015 |title=High hopes for a return of the Clyde's glory days |author=Alf Young |date=5 May 2002 |publisher=[[Sunday Herald]], Find Articles at BNET |accessdate=7 October 2008 }}</ref> After sea trials in the [[Irish Sea]] a "shakedown cruise" to [[Las Palmas]] set out on 22 April 1969.<ref name=QE2History/> |
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===Service history=== |
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====Early career==== |
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[[File:qe2.750pix.jpg|thumb|QE2 in Southampton, 1976.]] |
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''Queen Elizabeth 2''{{'}}s maiden voyage, from Southampton to New York, commenced on 2 May 1969,<ref name=QE2History /> taking 4 days, 16 hours, and 35 minutes.<ref>{{cite news|accessdate=26 October 2011|title=Harbor Whistles Greet a Stately Queen Designed for the Modern Age; 150 Vessels in Harbor Greet the Queen Elizabeth 2|work=The New York Times |url=http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive/pdf?res=F7061FFE34541B7B93CAA9178ED85F4D8685F9|first=George|last=Horne|date=8 May 1969}}</ref> Moving with modern times the company decided to have the scoop at the base of the funnel painted in the Cunard red and the rest was black and white. Another change was the decoration of the public rooms, parquet flooring, wood panelling and majestic decoration of the public rooms on the earlier Queens was replaced with glass, stainless steel, dark carpeting and sea green leather.<ref>{{Cite book|title=The New Cunard Queens Queen Mary 2 Queen Victoria Queen Elizabeth 2|last=Schwerdtner|first=Nils|publisher=Seaforth Publishing|year=2008|isbn=978 1 84832 010 9|location=47 Church Street|pages=27–28|via=}}</ref> [[Charles, Prince of Wales|Prince Charles]] was the first "civilian" passenger to board the ship,<ref name=TheQE2Story /> on her voyage from the shipyard in Clydebank to drydock in [[Port Glasgow]].{{Citation needed|date=February 2008}} On board for the short journey was her Master Designate and first captain, William (Bil) Warwick<!-- Bil is not a typo, that's how he spelt it so please do nor alter-->. In 1971, she participated in the rescue of some 500 passengers from the burning [[Compagnie Générale Transatlantique|French Line]] ship {{SS|Antilles|3=2}}.<ref name="chrisqe2hist" /><ref name=QE2History /> |
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On 17 May 1972, while travelling from New York to Southampton, she was the subject of a [[bomb threat]].<ref name=TheQE2Story/> She was searched by her crew, and a combined [[Special Air Service]] and [[Special Boat Service]] team which [[parachute]]d into the sea to conduct a search of the ship. No bomb was found, but the [[hoaxer]] was arrested by the [[FBI]].<ref name="chrisqe2hist" /> |
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The following year ''QE2'' undertook two chartered cruises through the Mediterranean to [[Israel]] in commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the state's founding. The ship's Columbia Restaurant was koshered for Passover, and Jewish passengers were able to celebrate [[Passover]] on the ship. According to the book "The Angel" by [[Uri Bar-Joseph]], [[Muammar Gaddafi]] ordered a submarine to torpedo her during one of the chartered cruises in relaliation for Israel's downing of [[Libyan Arab Airlines Flight 114|Libyan Flight 114]], but [[Anwar Sadat]] intervened secretly to foil the attack. |
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====Falklands War==== |
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In May 1982 the ship took part in the [[Falklands War]], carrying 3,000 troops and 650 volunteer crew to the South Atlantic. She was refitted in Southampton in preparation for war service, including the installation of two [[helicopter pad]]s,<ref>{{cite web|title=QE2 HIstory|url=http://www.chriscunard.com/qe2_history.php|website=Chris' Cunard Page|publisher=Chris Frame|accessdate=29 August 2015|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923203039/http://www.chriscunard.com/qe2_history.php|archivedate=23 September 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref> the transformation of public lounges into [[dormitories]], the installation of fuel pipes that ran through the ship down to the engine room to allow for refuelling at sea, and the covering of carpets with 2,000 sheets of [[hardboard]]. A quarter of the ship’s length was reinforced with steel plating, and an anti-magnetic coil was fitted to combat [[naval mine]]s.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Luck|first1=Adam|title=When the Queen went to war: Amazing pictures on QE2 as it sailed to the Falklands|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/moslive/article-2128733/Queen-went-war-Amazing-pictures-QE2-sailed-Falklands.html|accessdate=29 August 2015|publisher=Associated Newspapers Ltd|date=14 April 2012}}</ref> Over 650 Cunard crew members volunteered for the voyage to look after the 3,000 members of the [[5th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|Fifth Infantry Brigade]], which the ship transported to [[South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands|South Georgia]]. During the voyage the ship was blacked out and the radar switched off to avoid detection, steaming on without modern aids.<ref name="chrisqe2hist" /><ref name="Falk">{{cite web |url=http://www.cunard.com/AboutCunard/NewsReleases.asp?Cat=&View=ViewArticle&Mode=News&ContentID=6601&Active=News |title=''Cunard's QE2 Hosts Falklands Reunion'' |publisher=Cunard |accessdate=14 July 2010 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110225184847/http://www.cunard.com/AboutCunard/NewsReleases.asp?Cat=&View=ViewArticle&Mode=News&ContentID=6601&Active=News |archivedate=25 February 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> |
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[[File:QE2colour jm.jpg|thumb|Berthed in [[Málaga]] Spain 1982, with her original white funnel repainted red. Her hull is painted grey, a short lived decision.]] |
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The ''QE2'' returned to the UK in June 1982, where she was greeted in [[Southampton Water]] by [[Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother|The Queen Mother]] on board the [[HMY Britannia|Royal Yacht ''Britannia'']]. Peter Jackson, the captain of the QE2 responded to the Queen Mother's welcome: "Please convey to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth our thanks for her kind message. Cunard's Queen Elizabeth 2 is proud to have been of service to Her Majesty's Forces."<ref name="Falk" /> The ship underwent conversion back to passenger service, with her funnel being painted in the traditional Cunard orange with black stripes which are known as "Hands" for the first time, during the refit the hull's exterior was repainted an unconventional light pebble grey.<ref name=TheQE2Story /> This colour proved unpopular with passengers,<ref name=TheQE2Story /> as well as difficult to maintain and so the hull reverted to traditional colours in 1983.<ref name="chrisqe2hist" /> Later that year, QE2 was fitted with a [[magrodome]] over her Quarter Deck pool. |
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====Diesel era and Project Lifestyle==== |
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[[File:QE2 Port Melbourne 20080229.JPG|left|thumb|''QE2''’s new and wider funnel]] |
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''QE2'' once again experienced mechanical problems following her annual overhaul in November 1983. Boiler problems caused Cunard to cancel a cruise, and, in October 1984, an electrical fire caused a complete loss of power. The ship was delayed for several days before power could be restored. Instead of replacing the QE2 with a newer vessel, Cunard decided that it was more prudent to simply make improvements to her. Therefore, in 1986/87, ''QE2'' underwent one of her most significant refurbishments when she was converted from steam power to diesel.<ref name="chrisqe2hist" /> Nine [[MAN B&W]] diesel electric engines, new propellers and a heat recovery system (to utilise heat expelled by the engines) were fitted. With this new propulsion system, ''QE2'' was expected to serve another 20 years with Cunard. The passenger accommodation was also modernised.<ref name="chrisqe2hist" /> |
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On 7 August 1992, the underside of the [[Hull (watercraft)|hull]] was extensively damaged when she ran aground south of [[Cuttyhunk]] Island near [[Martha's Vineyard]], while returning from a five-day cruise to [[Halifax Regional Municipality|Halifax]], [[Nova Scotia]] along the east coast of the United States and Canada. A combination of her speed, an uncharted shoal and underestimating the increase in the ship's draft due to the [[squat effect|effect of squat]] led to the ship's hull scraping rocks on the ocean floor.<ref>Marine Accident Report—''Grounding of the United Kingdom Passenger Vessel RMS QUEEN ELIZABETH 2 Near Cuttyhunk Island, Vineyard Sound, Massachusetts, August 7, 1992'' (NTSB/MAR-93/01). [[National Transportation Safety Board]]: 25 May 1993.</ref> The accident resulted in the passengers disembarking earlier than scheduled at nearby [[Newport, Rhode Island]] and the ship being taken out of service while temporary repairs were made in drydock at Boston. Several days later, divers found the red paint from the keel on previously uncharted rocks in the vicinity of where the ship was said to have hit the bottom.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E0CE7DC1531F936A2575BC0A964958260&sec=&spon=&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink|title=Marine Surveyors Find Uncharted Rock That May Have Damaged Hull of the QE2|work=The New York Times|date=15 August 1992|accessdate=20 June 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ntsb.gov/recs/letters/1993/M93_30_33.pdf|format=PDF|publisher=[[National Transportation Safety Board]]|title=Safety Recommendation|date=25 June 1993|accessdate=20 June 2008}}</ref> |
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By the mid 1990s it was decided that ''QE2'' was due for a new look and in 1994 the ship was given a multimillion-pound refurbishment in [[Hamburg]]<ref name="chrisqe2hist" /> code named Project Lifestyle. |
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On 11 September 1995, ''QE2'' encountered a [[rogue wave]], estimated at {{convert|90|ft|m|abbr=on}}, caused by [[Hurricane Luis]] in the North Atlantic Ocean about 200 miles south of eastern [[Newfoundland]].<ref name="luis">{{cite web|url=http://www.qe2.org.uk/luis.html|title=''Hurricane Luis Passenger Certificate'' |publisher=Qe2.org.uk |accessdate=14 July 2010}}</ref> One year later, during her twentieth world cruise, she completed her four millionth mile. The ship had sailed the equivalent of 185 times around the planet.<ref name="CunardHist">{{cite web|url=http://www.cunard.co.uk/ |title=''Cunard History at a Glance'' |publisher=Cunard.co.uk |accessdate=14 July 2010}}</ref> |
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''QE2'' celebrated the 30th anniversary of her maiden voyage in Southampton in 1999. In three decades she had 1,159 voyages, sailed {{convert|4,648,050|nmi|mi km}} and carried over two million passengers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cunard.com/onboard/default.asp?OB=QE2&Sub=sp&SubSubSection=30Years|title=Queen Elizabeth 2 – The first 30 years|publisher=Cunard.com|accessdate=14 July 2010|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110211231919/http://www.cunard.com/onboard/default.asp?OB=QE2&Sub=sp&SubSubSection=30Years|archivedate=11 February 2011|df=dmy-all}}</ref> |
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====Later years==== |
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Following the 1998 acquisition of the Cunard Line by [[Carnival Corporation]], in 1999 ''QE2'' was given a US$30 million refurbishment which included refreshing various public rooms,<ref name=TheQE2Story /> and a new colour palette in the passenger [[cabin (ship)|cabins]]. The Royal Promenade, which formerly housed upscale shops such as [[Burberry]], H. Stern and [[Aquascutum]], were replaced by boutiques typical of cruise ships, selling perfumes, watches and logo items. During this refit the hull was stripped to bare metal, and the ship repainted in the traditional Cunard colours of matte black (Federal Grey) with a white superstructure.<ref name="chrisqe2hist" /> |
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[[File:QE2 WEB.jpg|thumb|Leaving Sydney 18 February 2004]] |
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In 2004 the vessel stopped plying the traditional transatlantic route and began full-time cruising, the transatlantic route having been assigned to Cunard's new flagship, the {{RMS|Queen Mary 2|3=2}}. However, the ''QE2'' still undertook an annual world cruise and regular trips around the Mediterranean. By this time, she lacked the amenities to rival newer, larger cruise ships, but she still had unique features such as her ballrooms, hospital,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cruisecritic.com/reviews/review.cfm?ShipID=247 |title=Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2) – Cunard |publisher=Cruisecritic.com |accessdate=14 July 2010}}</ref> and 6000 book library.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://chriscunard.com/qe2_deckplans.php |title=QE2 Deckplans |accessdate=2 July 2010 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100601204638/http://www.chriscunard.com/qe2_deckplans.php |archivedate=1 June 2010 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> ''QE2'' retained her title of one of the fastest cruise ships afloat (28.5 knots<ref name="fuel"/>), with fuel economy at this speed<ref name="fuel"/> at 49.5 ft<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thecunarders.co.uk/QE2%20Statistics.html |title=The Cunarders: QE2 : Statistics |accessdate=12 July 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/QE2+GETS+SET+FOR+HER+LAST+VISIT%3B+Warm+welcome+expected.-a0168878004 |title=QE2 Fuel Usage |accessdate=12 July 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://tripatlas.com/Fuel%20efficiency%20in%20transportation |title=Trip Atlas QE2 Fuel |accessdate=12 July 2010 }}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> (15m) to the gallon.<ref>{{cite news|last=Clifton |first=Paul |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/hampshire/7663226.stm |title=UK | England | Hampshire | QE2's funnel 'to be sliced off' |publisher=BBC News |date=10 October 2008 |accessdate=14 July 2010}}</ref> While cruising at slower speeds efficiency was improved to 125 ft per gallon.<ref name="fuel">{{cite web|url=http://www.roblightbody.com/liners/qe-2/QE2_fuel_economy.htm |title=QE2 Fuel Efficiency |accessdate=12 July 2010}}</ref> |
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At the end of her 2005 world cruise, some pieces of her artwork were damaged when some crew members who had become [[inebriated]] at an on-board crew party, went on a vandalism rampage through the public areas of the ship. A unique tapestry of the ''QE2'', commissioned for the launch of the ship, was thrown overboard by a drunken crewman. An oil painting of [[Queen Elizabeth II]] and two other tapestries were damaged, along with a part of the entertainment area and a lifeboat. The crew members involved were dismissed from service, with charges pending.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=1290 |title=Cruise Critic News: QE2 Winds Up World Cruise With a Whimper |publisher=Cruisecritic.com |date=20 April 2005 |accessdate=14 July 2010}}</ref> |
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On 5 November 2004 the ''QE2'' became Cunard's longest serving express liner, surpassing the [[RMS Aquitania|RMS ''Aquitania'']]{{'}}s 35 years,<ref name="CunardHist" /> while on 4 September 2005, during a call to the port of Sydney, Nova Scotia, ''QE2'' became the longest serving Cunarder ever, surpassing the {{RMS|Scythia}}{{'}}s record.<ref>QE2 Daily Programme 04:09:05</ref> |
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[[File:QE2 Sydney1.jpg|left|QE2 berthed in Sydney, 2007|thumb]] |
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On 20 February 2007 the ''QE2'', while on her annual world cruise, met her running mate and successor flagship ''QM2'' (herself on her maiden world cruise) in [[Port Jackson|Sydney Harbour]], Australia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cunard.com/CruiseItinerary.asp?cruiseid=2802&LeftNav=Planner&Active=&Sub=&OB=&Region= |title=''Queen Mary 2'' world cruise itinerary |publisher=Cunard.com |accessdate=14 July 2010 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110225153754/http://www.cunard.com/CruiseItinerary.asp?cruiseid=2802&LeftNav=Planner&Active=&Sub=&OB=&Region= |archivedate=25 February 2011 |df= }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cunard.com/CruiseItinerary.asp?cruiseid=2803&LeftNav=Planner&Active=&Sub=&OB=&Region= |title=Queen Elizabeth 2 world cruise itinerary |publisher=Cunard.com |accessdate=14 July 2010 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110225160201/http://www.cunard.com/CruiseItinerary.asp?cruiseid=2803&LeftNav=Planner&Active=&Sub=&OB=&Region= |archivedate=25 February 2011 |df= }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6377633.stm |title=Royal liners in Sydney rendezvous |publisher=BBC News |date=20 February 2007 |accessdate=14 July 2010}}</ref> This was the first time two Cunard ''Queens'' had been together in Sydney since the original ''Queen Mary'' and ''Queen Elizabeth'' served as troop ships in 1941.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thegreatoceanliners.com/queenelizabeth.html |title=Queen Elizabeth 1940–1973 |publisher=Thegreatoceanliners.com |accessdate=14 July 2010}}</ref> |
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====Retirement and final Cunard voyage==== |
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[[File:QM2, QE2 and QV.JPG|thumb|{{RMS|Queen Mary 2}} next to ''QE2'' with stern of {{MS|Queen Victoria}} on far right]] |
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On 18 June 2007 it was announced by Cunard that ''QE2'' had been purchased by the [[Dubai]] investment company [[Istithmar]] for $100 million.<ref name="QE2Sold">{{cite web|url=http://www.roblightbody.com/liners/qe-2/qe2_sold.htm |title=Official QE2 Cunard-Istithmar Press Release |author=Cunard-Istithmar |date=18 June 2007 |publisher=[[Rob Lightbody]] |accessdate=21 March 2011}}</ref><ref name="GulfNewsQE2Sale">{{cite web|url=http://gulfnews.com/business/tourism/istithmar-buys-qe2-for-100m-1.184774 |title=Istithmar buys QE2 for $100m |author=Shakir Husain |date=18 June 2007 |publisher=[[GulfNews.com]] |accessdate=21 March 2011}}</ref> Her retirement in part was forced by the oncoming June 2010 implementation of the [[International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea|International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS)]] regulations, which would have forced large and expensive structural changes to the ship.<ref name=Otago240912/> |
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In a ceremonial display before her retirement, the ''QE2'' met the {{MS|Queen Victoria|3=2}} and the ''Queen Mary 2'' near the [[Statue of Liberty]] in New York City harbour on 13 January 2008, with a celebratory fireworks display; the ''QE2'' and ''QV'' had made a tandem crossing of the [[Atlantic Ocean|Atlantic]] for the meet. This marked the first time three ''Cunard Queens'' had been present in the same location (Cunard stated this would be the last time these three particular ships would meet, due to the impending retirement of the ''QE2''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cunard.com/rendezvous |title=Royal Rendezvous: Sunday, 13 January 2008 – New York Harbor |publisher=Cunard |date=13 January 2010 |accessdate=14 July 2010 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080426224143/http://www.cunard.com/rendezvous/ |archivedate=26 April 2008 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> However, due to a change in the ''QE2''{{'}}s schedule, the three ships met again in Southampton on 22 April 2008). |
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''QE2'' shared the harbour at [[Zeebrugge]] with ''Queen Victoria'' on 19 July 2008, where the two Cunarders exchanged whistle blasts.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hampshire/7360081.stm |title=Three 'Queens' in final meeting; 22 April 2008 |publisher=BBC News |date=22 April 2008 |accessdate=14 July 2010}}</ref> |
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On 3 October 2008, ''QE2'' set off from [[Cork (city)|Cork]] for [[Douglas Harbour|Douglas Bay]] on her farewell tour of Ireland and Britain, before heading for [[Liverpool]]. She left Liverpool and arrived in [[Belfast]] on 4 October 2008, before moving to [[Greenock]] the next day (the ship's height with funnel makes it impossible to pass under the [[Erskine Bridge]] so Clydebank is not reachable). There she was escorted by Royal Navy destroyer {{HMS|Manchester|D95|6}} and visited by {{MV|Balmoral}}. The farewell was viewed by large crowds and concluded with a firework display.<ref name=Highhopes/><ref name="Herald">{{cite web |url=http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/news/display.var.2457396.0.Tearful_Clyde_says_goodbye_to_QE2.php |title=Tearful Clyde Says Goodbye To QE2 |author=Susan Swarbrick |date=6 October 2008 |publisher=[[The Herald (Glasgow)|The Herald]] |accessdate=7 October 2008 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081009041547/http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/news/display.var.2457396.0.Tearful_Clyde_says_goodbye_to_QE2.php |archivedate=9 October 2008 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref name="PSPS">{{cite web|url=http://pspsscotland.blogspot.com/2008/10/balmoral-salutes-retiring-legend.html |title=The Paddle Steamer Preservation Society – Scottish Branch: Balmoral Salutes a Retiring Legend |accessdate=7 October 2008}}</ref> ''QE2'' then sailed around Scotland to the [[Firth of Forth]] on 7 October 2008, where she anchored in the shadow of the [[Forth Bridge]]. The next day, following an [[RAF]] flypast, she left amidst a flotilla of small craft to head to [[Newcastle upon Tyne]], before returning to Southampton. QE2-South Queensferry.jpg |
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[[File:QE2 Clyde 5 Oct 08 1157.jpg|thumb|Farewell to the Clyde]] |
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''QE2'' completed her final Atlantic crossing from New York to Southampton in tandem with her successor, ''QM2''. The two liners departed New York on 16 October and arrived in Southampton on 22 October. This marked the end of ''QE2''{{'}}s transatlantic voyages.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chriscunard.com/qe2_retirement.php |title=QE2 Retirement |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100601204846/http://www.chriscunard.com/qe2_retirement.php |archivedate=1 June 2010 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> |
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On her final arrival into Southampton, ''QE2'' (on 11 November 2008, with 1,700 passengers and 1,000 crew on board) ran [[aground]] in the [[Solent]] near the [[Southampton Water]] entrance at 5.26 am, on a triangular sandbank roughly equidistant between the mouth of Southampton Water and [[East Cowes]] named [[Bramble Bank]]. [[BBC]] reported "[[Cunard Line|Cunard]] has confirmed it touched the bottom at the Brambles Turn [[sandbank]] (sandback) near [[Calshot]], [[Southampton Water]], with three tugs attached to her [[stern]] (0530 [[GMT]]). A fourth tug secured a line to the ship's [[Bow (ship)|bow]]."<ref>[http://ukpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5howpLVxZV1XpwNbNPrkW5WU90P4w ukpress.google.com, ''QE2'' runs aground on final tour] {{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Solent Coastguard stated: "Five tugs were sent out to assist her getting off the sandbank, and she was pulled off just before 6.10 am. She had been refloated and was under way under her own power and heading back to her berth in Southampton. She had only partially gone aground, and the tugs pulled her off."<ref>[http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article5128451.ece timesonline.co.uk, QE2 runs aground on farewell call to Southampton] {{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref>[http://ukpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5g_Lc8wcuxJVmvIJGYE1uoC31HkfA ukpress.google.com, QE2 runs aground] {{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> |
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Once safely back at her berth, preparations continued for her farewell celebrations. These were led by [[Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh]] who toured the ship at great length. He visited areas of interest including the Engine Control Room. He also met with current and former crew members.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/heritage/deheritageqe2/3838884.QE2_sails_away_on_tide_of_emotion/ |title=Sorry... |date=30 June 2012 |publisher= |deadurl=bot: unknown |archiveurl=https://archive.is/20120630172918/http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/heritage/deheritageqe2/3838884.QE2_sails_away_on_tide_of_emotion/ |archivedate=30 June 2012 |df= }}</ref> During this time, divers were sent down to inspect the hull for any possible damage caused by the vessel's earlier mishap – none were found. |
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[[File:Qe2-fireworks-soton.jpg|thumb|Southampton, 11 November 2008]] |
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The ''QE2'' left [[Southampton Docks]] for the final time at 1915 [[GMT]] on 11 November 2008, to begin her farewell voyage by the name of "''QE2''{{'}}s Final Voyage".<ref name="journey_book">{{Cite book|author=Chris Frame & Rachelle Cross, |title=''QE2: A Photographic Journey'' |isbn= 978-0-7524-4803-9 |publisher=[[The History Press]] |url= http://www.qe2book.com}}</ref> Her ownership passed to [[Nakheel Properties]], a company of [[Dubai World]], on 26 November.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/hampshire/7720966.stm |title=news.bbc.co.uk, QE2 liner runs aground near port |publisher=BBC News |date=11 November 2008 |accessdate=14 July 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.teletext.co.uk/news/national/067853e1cb55ab9596cae00e0e2625ec/QE2+runs+aground+on+last+tour.aspx |title=teletext.co.uk, ''QE2'' runs aground on last tour |publisher=Teletext.co.uk |accessdate=14 July 2010}}</ref> The decommissioning of the ship was particularly poignant for the ''QE2''{{'}}s only permanent resident, Beatrice Muller, aged 89, who lived on board in retirement for fourteen years, at a cost of some £3,500 (~€4,300, ~$5,400) per month.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/hampshire/7719605.stm |title=news.bbc.co.uk/, The woman who lives on the ''QE2'' |publisher=BBC News |date=11 November 2008 |accessdate=14 July 2010}}</ref> |
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At the time of her retirement ''QE2'' had sailed 5.6 million miles, carried 2.5 million passengers and completed 806 transatlantic crossings.<ref>{{cite web|author=GARY BEMBRIDGE |url=http://allaboutcunard.blogspot.com/2007/07/qe2-final-voyage-sold-in-half-hour.html |title=All About Cunard Blog |publisher=Allaboutcunard.blogspot.com |date=1 July 2007 |accessdate=14 July 2010}}</ref> |
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====Istithmar, Nakheel, ''QE2'' in Dubai and Cape Town hotel proposal==== |
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[[File:Queen Elizabeth 2 - IMO 6725418, Caledonian MacBrayne Saturn - IMO 7615490 (2919806828).jpg|thumb|''QE2'' with her [[Pennant (commissioning)#Paying-off pennants|Paying Off Pennant]] flying]] |
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Her final voyage from Southampton to Dubai began on 11 November 2008, arriving on 26 November in a flotilla of 60 smaller vessels,<ref>{{cite news|title=Britain's Queen Elizabeth 2 Arrives in Dubai|url=http://www.nbcnews.com/id/27933079/ns/travel-cruise_travel/t/britains-queen-elizabeth-arrives-dubai/|accessdate=11 August 2016|agency=Associated Press|publisher=Crise Travel on NBCNews.com|date=November 26, 2008}}</ref> led by [[Dubai (yacht)|MY ''Dubai'']], the personal yacht of [[Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum|Sheikh Mohammed]], ruler of Dubai,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticleNew.asp?col=§ion=theuae&xfile=data/theuae/2008/November/theuae_November575.xml |title=Shaikh Mohammed’s Yacht to Join QE2 Flotilla |publisher=Khaleejtimes.com |date=26 November 2008 |accessdate=14 July 2010}}</ref> in time for her official handover the following day.<ref name="savetheqe2">{{cite web|url=http://savetheqe2.info/qe2_dubai.php |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2013-02-13 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130602042858/https://savetheqe2.info/qe2_dubai.php |archivedate=2 June 2013 |df= }} |title=QE2 in Dubai |publisher=savetheqe2.info |date=1 January 2013 |accessdate=13 February 2013</ref> |
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She was greeted with a fly-past from an [[Emirates (airline)|Emirates]] [[Airbus A380]] jet and a huge fireworks display, while thousands of people gathered at the [[Port Rashid|Mina Rashid]], waving the flags of the [[Union Jack|United Kingdom]] and the [[Flag of the United Arab Emirates|United Arab Emirates]]. Since her arrival in Dubai ''QE2'' has remained moored at [[Port Rashid]]. Shortly after her final passengers were disembarked, she was moved forward to the cargo area of the port, to free up the passenger terminal for other cruise vessels. |
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She was expected to be refurbished and berthed permanently at Nakheel's [[Palm Jumeirah]] as "a luxury floating hotel, retail, museum and entertainment destination."<ref name="Cunard Press Release" /> The refurbishment planned to see the ''QE2'' transformed into a tourist destination in Dubai,<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7664539.stm |work=BBC News | title=QE2 makes last New York trip | date=10 October 2008 | accessdate=10 April 2010}}</ref> however due to the [[Financial crisis of 2007–08|Global Economic Crisis]] ''QE2'' has remained moored at [[Port Rashid]] awaiting a decision on her future. |
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''QE2'' remains an oceangoing vessel, and as such, Ronald Warwick (former Captain of ''QE2'', ''[[RMS Queen Mary 2|QM2]]'' and a retired Commodore of the [[Cunard Line]]) was initially employed by [[V-Ships]] (who have managed ''QE2'' since Cunard handed her over) as the vessel's legal master,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/hampshire/content/articles/2008/11/12/qe2_farewell_clifton_feature.shtml |title=Hampshire – History – A fond farewell to QE2 |publisher=BBC |date=19 November 2008 |accessdate=14 July 2010}}</ref> but has subsequently been replaced by other V-Ships captains. Since 2009, she has been captained by William Cooper.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theqe2story.com/forum/index.php/topic,3175.msg33788.html#msg33788|title=QE2's Captain - William Cooper - and his crew.|publisher=}}</ref> |
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It was anticipated that ''QE2'' would be moved to the [[Dubai Drydocks]] sometime in 2009 to begin a series of far-reaching refurbishments which would result in her being converted into a floating hotel however, {{As of|2011|lc=on}} no confirmed destination for the QE2's retirement and reopening has been announced. |
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Due to the [[Financial crisis of 2007–08|2008 global recession]], fears have been sparked that ''QE2''{{'}}s refurbishment and hotel conversion will not take place, and that the ship may be resold.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/4119668.Fears_that_QE2_could_be_cut_up_for_scrap/ |title= – Fears that QE2 could be cut up for scrap |work=Southampton Daily Echo |date=12 February 2009 |accessdate=14 July 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theherald.co.uk/search/display.var.2489394.0.fears_grow_over_developers_bid_to_turn_qe2_into_a_hotel_in_dubai.php |title=Fears grow over developers bid to QE2 into a hotel |work=Glasgow Herald |date=16 February 2009 |accessdate=14 July 2010 }}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> These rumours have since resulted in owners, [[Istithmar]], issuing a series of press releases stating that plans for QE2's conversion are ongoing, with no intention to sell.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.clydebankpost.co.uk/articles/1/34145/ |title=QE2 owners deny ship selloff – Retrieved on 21 February 2009 |publisher=Clydebank Post |date=18 February 2009 |accessdate=14 July 2010 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725014838/http://www.clydebankpost.co.uk/articles/1/34145/ |archivedate=25 July 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/4123549.No_intention_to_sell_QE2__say_owners/ |title=No Intention to Sell ''QE2'' |work=Southampton Daily Echo |accessdate=14 July 2010}}</ref> However, since arriving in Dubai the only visible exterior change to ''QE2'' is the painting out of the Cunard titles from the ship's superstructure. |
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''QE2'' was joined in [[Mina Rashid]] by ''QM2'' on Saturday, 21 March 2009 while ''QM2'' visited [[Dubai]] as part of her 2009 World Cruise.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://chriscunard.com/qe2_photographs_dubai.php |title=QE2 and QM2 together in Dubai |work=Chris' Cunard Page |accessdate=16 February 2010 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100528022916/http://chriscunard.com/qe2_photographs_dubai.php |archivedate=28 May 2010 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> She was joined once again by the ''QV'' on Sunday, 29 March 2009 as a part of her 2009 World Cruise. ''QM2'' and ''[[MS Queen Victoria|QV]]'' again visited ''QE2'' in 2010 and on 31 March 2011 the new [[MS Queen Elizabeth|Queen Elizabeth]] ''(QE)'' called at Dubai during her maiden world cruise – photos were arranged by Cunard to capture the occasion.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theqe2story.com/forum/index.php/topic,3055.msg32880.html#msg32880 |title=QE2 Visited by QE |publisher=theQE2Story.com |accessdate=1 April 2011}}</ref> QM2 called in Dubai 2 days after QE left.<ref name="savetheqe2"/> |
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In April 2009, an alleged concept model of the post refurbished ''Hotel QE2'' was shown for sale on an online auction website.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.christies.com/LotFinder/lot_details.aspx?from=salesummary&intObjectID=5204106&sid=1941c26b-7c33-4844-81c9-f6d36e76c4b3 |title=Christie's Online Auctions – Dubai Concept Model of Queen Elizabeth 2 – Retrieved on 30 April 2009 |publisher=Christies.com |accessdate=14 July 2010}}</ref> The model depicts a much altered ''QE2''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theqe2story.com/forum/index.php/topic,454.0.html |title=Re: Concept Model of the altered QE2 in Dubai – Retrieved 30 April 2009 |publisher=The QE2 Story |accessdate=14 July 2010}}</ref> |
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In June 2009, the ''Southampton Daily Echo'' reported that ''QE2'' would return to the UK<ref name="theqe2story.com">http://www.theqe2story.com/forum/index.php/topic,686.0.html |year=2009|accessdate=13 July 2009.</ref> as an operating [[Cruise Ship]]. However, on 20 July 2009 the current owners [[Nakheel]] confirmed rumours that ''QE2'' will reposition to Cape Town for use as a floating Hotel. |
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On 24 June 2009, ''QE2'' made her first journey after nearly eight months of inactivity since the liner arrived in Dubai. She manoeuvered under her own power into the Dubai Drydocks for inspection and hull repainting before her (then planned) voyage to Cape Town's [[V&A Waterfront]] to serve there as a floating hotel for the [[FIFA World Cup 2010]] and beyond.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.xpress4me.com/news/uae/dubai/20014292.html |title=QE2 to move to Dubai Drydock|agency= Xpress News |date=23 July 2009 |accessdate=14 July 2010}}</ref> |
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On 10 July 2009, it was revealed that ''QE2'' might sail to Cape Town, South Africa, to become a floating hotel (for use primarily during the [[2010 FIFA World Cup]]), in a Dubai World sponsored venture at the [[V&A Waterfront]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://business.maktoob.com/20090000007446/Nakheel_admits_QE2_may_leave_Dubai/Article.htm |title=Nakheel Admits QE2 May Leave Dubai |year=2009 |accessdate=13 July 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090713172152/http://business.maktoob.com/20090000007446/Nakheel_admits_QE2_may_leave_Dubai/Article.htm |archivedate=13 July 2009 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.news.com.au/travel/story/0,28318,25771636-5014090,00.html |title=QE2 cruise ship may become floating hotel|year=2009|accessdate=13 July 2009}}</ref> This was confirmed by Nakheel on 20 July 2009.<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hampshire/8160146.stm |work=BBC News | title=QE2 to be moved to South Africa | date=20 July 2009 | accessdate=10 April 2010}}</ref> |
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In preparation for this expected voyage the ship was placed into the Dubai Dry-dock and underwent an extensive exterior refurbishment. During this refit, the ship's underwater hull was repainted and inspected.<ref name="savetheqe2"/><ref name="theqe2story.com"/><ref>http://www.theqe2story.com/forum/index.php/topic,872.0.html |year=2009|accessdate=9 September 2009.</ref> |
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Shortly after her refit, ''QE2'' was registered under the flag of Vanuatu, and Port Vila (her new home port) was painted on her stern, replacing Southampton.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.theqe2story.com/forum/index.php/topic,962.0.html |title=QE2 under the flag of Vanuatu |year=2009|work=The Age |accessdate=9 September 2009}}</ref> |
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''QE2'' returned to Port Rashid where it was anticipated she would soon sail for Cape Town.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theqe2story.com/forum/index.php/topic,990.0.html |title=News from Cape Town |publisher=Theqe2story.com |date=23 June 2010 |accessdate=14 July 2010}}</ref> The arrival of ''QE2'' in Cape Town was expected to create many local jobs<ref>{{cite web|author=CapeTown_2010 |url=https://twitter.com/CapeTown_2010 |title=2010 Cape Town World Cup Twitter Page |work=Twitter |accessdate=14 July 2010 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090926123503/http://twitter.com/CapeTown_2010 |archivedate=26 September 2009 }}</ref> including Hotel staff, restaurant staff, chefs, cleaners and shop attendants, all being sourced from the local workforce.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Delmar-Morgan|first1=Alex|title=Nakheel in talks over QE2's Cape Town future|url=http://www.arabianbusiness.com/nakheel-in-talks-over-qe2-s-cape-town-future-12687.html|accessdate=11 August 2016|publisher=ArabianBusiness.com|date=September 17, 2009}}</ref> But, in January 2010, it was confirmed she would not be moved to Cape Town.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.capetown.travel/images/uploads/Cape_Town_Tourism_responds_to_possible_berthing_of_QE2.pdf |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2009-12-11 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006205944/http://www.capetown.travel/images/uploads/Cape_Town_Tourism_responds_to_possible_berthing_of_QE2.pdf |archivedate=6 October 2011 |df=dmy-all }} Cape Town Tourism responds to possible berthing of QE2 date=2009|accessdate=11 December 2009.</ref> |
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====2010 sale and relocation speculation==== |
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[[File:QE2 in Dubai 2.JPG|thumb|''QE2'' awaiting refurbishment in Dubai]] |
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In early 2010, due to the continued poor financial performance of Dubai World, there was much media speculation that ''QE2'', along with other assets owned by [[Istithmar]], Dubai World's private-equity arm, would be sold to raise capital. Despite this sale speculation, a number of alternative locations for QE2 have been cited including London, Singapore, [[Clydebank]],<ref name="fremantlegazette"/> Japan<ref name="fremantlegazette"/> and [[Fremantle]],<ref name="fremantlegazette">{{cite web|url=http://www.inmycommunity.com.au/news-and-views/local-news/Freo-to-house-QE2/7560490/ |title=Freo to house QE2? |year=2010 |accessdate=29 June 2010}}</ref><ref name="mirrorqe2freo"/> the latter showing interest in using QE2 as a hotel for the [[ISAF Sailing World Championships]] to be held in December 2011.<ref name="mirrorqe2freo"/> However, as at June 2010 Nakheel's official statement regarding QE2 is that "a number of options being considered for QE2".<ref name="savetheqe2"/><ref name="fremantlegazette"/><ref name="mirrorqe2freo">{{cite web|url=http://blogs.mirror.co.uk/captain-greybeard/2010/07/new-hopes-for-two-old-girls.html |title=New hopes for two old girls |year=2010 |accessdate=2 July 2010}}</ref> |
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=====2011 drifting===== |
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On 28 January 2011 during a heavy [[dust storm]], ''QE2'' broke loose from her moorings and drifted out into the channel at Port Rashid. She was attended by pilots and tugs and safely returned to berth at Port Rashid. Images of ''QE2''’s unexpected movements appeared on-line after being taken by an observer on the ship in front of QE2.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theqe2story.com/forum/index.php/topic,2857.msg32405.html#msg32405|title=QE2 mooring lines snap during Sandstorm! – Friday 28 January |publisher=Theqe2story.com |accessdate=11 August 2016}}</ref> |
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=====Warm layup===== |
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Throughout 2011 and 2012, ''QE2'' remained berthed at Port Mina Rashid in Dubai {{As of|2011|alt=in 2011}}.<ref name="lightbody1">{{cite web|url=http://www.roblightbody.com/liners/qe-2/news/2010/index.htm |title= QE2, 2010 News |accessdate=10 May 2010}}</ref> She was maintained in a seaworthy condition and generated her own power. Each of her nine diesel generators were turned over and used to power the ship. A live-in crew of approximately 50 people maintained ''QE2'' to a high standard.<ref name="lightbody2">{{cite web |url=http://theqe2story.com/aboutQE2/QE2Today.html |title=The QE2 Story |accessdate=25 May 2010 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717023027/http://theqe2story.com/aboutQE2/QE2Today.html |archivedate=17 July 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Activities include painting, maintenance, cabin checks, and overhauls of machinery. Istithmar were considering plans for ''QE2'' which may involve the ship sailing to an alternative location under her own power.<ref name="savetheqe2"/><ref name=lightbody1 /> |
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On 21 March 2011 ''QM2'' called in Dubai and docked close to ''QE2''. During the departure, the two ships sounded their horns.<ref name="savetheqe2"/><ref>{{cite web|title=QE2 sounds her whistle to Queen Mary 2 in Dubai|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzZ21hR8DLI}}</ref> |
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=====2011 return to Liverpool plan, Port Rashid and ''QE2'' development plans===== |
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[[File:QE2 and Ferry Too (3556981118).jpg|thumb|''QE2'' near the Cunard Building in Liverpool during her service with the cruise line]] |
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On 28 September 2011 news broke that a plan was being formulated to return QE2 to the United Kingdom by berthing her in Liverpool.<ref name="liverpool">{{cite web|url=http://blogs.mirror.co.uk/captain-greybeard/2011/09/a-liverpool-home-for-historic.html |title=A Liverpool home for historic liner QE2? Don't tell the Dubai owners |accessdate=2 October 2011}}</ref> Liverpool has a historic connection with [[Cunard Line]] being the first British home for the line as well as housing the iconic [[Cunard Building]].<ref name="savetheqe2"/> |
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It was revealed that [[Liverpool Vision]], the economic development company responsible for Liverpool's regeneration,<ref>{{cite web|title=Liverpool Vision Homepage|url=http://www.liverpoolvision.co.uk/Default.aspx|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111026191008/http://www.liverpoolvision.co.uk/Default.aspx|archivedate=26 October 2011|df=dmy-all}}</ref> has been involved in confidential discussions with Out of Time Concepts, a company headed by a former Chief Engineer on the ship, who recently advised its current owners <ref name="savetheqe2"/> on plans to turn it into a luxury hotel in [[Dubai]].<ref name="liverpool" /> |
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In a letter from Out of Time Concepts to Liverpool Vision it is explained that "The free global media attention derived from bringing home the ''QE2'' will without question promote Liverpool's new waterfront developments, its amazing architecture, its maritime and world heritage sites, its museums, its culture and its history".<ref name="savetheqe2"/><ref name="liverpool" /> |
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On the same week that the Liverpool Vision plans were revealed, Nakheel has said that plans for ''QE2'' to be berthed at The Palm have been dropped because they now plan to build 102 houses on the site which was once intended to be named the QE2 Precinct.<ref name="savetheqe2"/><ref>{{cite web|title=QE2 Palm Plan Sinks|url=http://dubai-waterfront.com/featured/796/qe2-palm-jumeirah-plan-sinks-as-nakheel-floats-townhouse-project-instead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=New Home for QE2|url=http://oceanlinersblog.org/?p=3008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Rebecca Bundhun |url=http://www.thenational.ae/business/property/qe2-palm-jumeirah-plan-out-as-nakheel-floats-townhouse-project-instead |title=QE2 Palm Jumeirah plan out as Nakheel floats townhouse project instead – The National |publisher=Thenational.ae |date=25 May 2010 |accessdate=10 May 2012}}</ref> |
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Nakheel suggested that ''QE2'', under the ownership of Istithmar, will remain at Port Rashid to become an integral part of the growing cruise terminal. "The ''QE2'' will be placed in a much better location", Ali Rashid Lootah, the chairman of Nakheel, told Dubai's The National newspaper "The Government of Dubai is developing an up-to-date modern cruise terminal which will mean a better environment", confirming the ship would remain in Dubai for the foreseeable future. |
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=====2011/2012 New Year's party aboard ''QE2''===== |
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On 31 December 2011 the ''QE2'' was the location of a lavish New Year's Eve party in Dubai.<ref name="nye2011">{{cite web |url=http://www.chriscunard.com/qe2_nye2011_dubai.php |title=QE2 New Years Eve 2011 |accessdate=1 January 2012 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120318045450/http://www.chriscunard.com/qe2_nye2011_dubai.php |archivedate=18 March 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> The black tie event<ref name="gulfnews">{{cite web|url=http://gulfnews.com/arts-entertainment/celebrity/a-glamorous-end-to-2011-aboard-the-qe2-1.959534 |title=A glamorous end to 2011 aboard QE2 |accessdate=1 January 2012}}</ref> was run by Global Event Management and included over 1,000 guests.<ref>[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45666865/ns/world_news-mideast_n_africa/t/dubai-open-famed-liner-qe-new-years-bash/ ] {{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chriscunard.com/qe2_today.php |title=QE2 Today: QE2 2011/2012 New Years Eve Party |accessdate=1 January 2012 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120115162854/http://www.chriscunard.com/qe2_today.php |archivedate=15 January 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> {{As of|2012|alt=In early 2011}} Global Event Management were offering events aboard QE2 in Dubai for 2012 and 2013.<ref name="savetheqe2"/><ref name="gulfnews" /> |
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=====July 2012: Hotel announcement===== |
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On 2 July 2012 in a coordinated press release, the ship's owner, operator and Port Rashid operator, DP Ports, jointly announced ''QE2'' would re-open as a 300-bed hotel after an 18-month refit. The release claims the ship was to be refitted to restore original features, including her 1994–2008 'Heritage Trail' of classic Cunard artefacts. The ship was to be berthed alongside a redeveloped Port Rashid cruise terminal which would double as a maritime museum.<ref name="savetheqe2"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://webapps.dpworld.com/portal/page/portal/DP_WORLD_WEBSITE/Media-Centre/News-Releases/News-Releases-2012/2%207%20QE2%20Port%20Rashid%20plans%20final.pdf |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2012-07-02 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120722050502/https://webapps.dpworld.com/portal/page/portal/DP_WORLD_WEBSITE/Media-Centre/News-Releases/News-Releases-2012/2%207%20QE2%20Port%20Rashid%20plans%20final.pdf |archivedate=22 July 2012 |df= }} QE2 press release 2012.</ref> |
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=====Scrapping in China, ''QE2'' London and ''QE2'' Asia===== |
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On 23 December 2012, it was reported that ''QE2'' had been sold for scrapping in China for £20 million, after a bid to return her to the UK was rejected.<ref name="dailymail.co.uk">[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2252580/End-era-QE2-Iconic-cruise-liner-sold-scrap-Chinese-20m.html End of an era for the QE2: Iconic cruise liner sold as scrap to Chinese for £20 m]. ''Daily Mail'', 23 December 2012. {{retrieved | accessdate=24 December 2012}}</ref> With monthly berthing and maintenance charges of £650,000, it was reported that a Chinese salvage crew arrived at the vessel on 21 December, to replace a crew of 40 which has been maintaining the vessel since it arrived at Port Rashid.<ref name=Otago240912>{{cite web|url=http://www.odt.co.nz/news/business/240912/reported-sale-qe2-ship-breakers-sad-news|title=Reported sale of ''QE2'' to ship-breakers sad news|author=Doug Wright|publisher=Otago Daily Times|date=31 December 2012|accessdate=8 January 2012}}</ref> However, Cunard dismissed the reports as "pure speculation".<ref name="Cunard Facebook">[https://www.facebook.com/cunard/posts/10151389239703223 CUNARD status update]. Cunard Facebook page, 24 December 2012.{{retrieved | accessdate=24 December 2012}}</ref> When the ship was sold in 2007, a clause in the contract which started from her retirement in 2009 stipulated a 10-year "no onward sale" clause, without payment of a full purchase price default penalty.<ref name=Otago240912/><ref name="savetheqe2"/> |
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The "''QE2'' London" Plan had included a £20 million bid for ''QE2'' and a further £40 million refurbishment that was supposed to create more than 2,000 jobs in London, with the ''QE2'' docked near the [[The O2 Arena|O2 Arena]]. It had reportedly obtained the support of London Mayor [[Boris Johnson]].<ref name="savetheqe2"/><ref name="dailymail.co.uk"/> |
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[[File:Queen Elizabeth 2.jpg|thumb|''QE2'' in Dubai with ''Cunard'' titles removed from her superstructure]] |
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On 17 January 2013, the Dubai Drydocks World announced that the ''QE2'' would be sent to an unknown location in Asia to serve as a floating luxury hotel, shopping mall, and museum.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://savetheqe2.info/qe2_hotel_asia.php|title=Save the QE2: QE2 Hotel|accessdate=22 February 2013|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130602041152/http://savetheqe2.info/qe2_hotel_asia.php|archivedate=2 June 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Despite this move, the QE2 London team stated on the same day that "We believe our investors can show Dubai that ''QE2'' London is still the best proposal".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.chriscunard.com/qe2_today.php|title=QE2 Today|accessdate=7 March 2013|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120115162854/http://www.chriscunard.com/qe2_today.php|archivedate=15 January 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref> |
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====="Bring ''QE2'' Home" proposals===== |
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Cunard's 175 anniversary celebrations on 25 May 2015 led to renewed interest in the ''QE2''. John Chillingworth secured the backing of London mayor [[Boris Johnson]] for a plan to anchor the ship opposite [[The O2 Arena]] at Greenwich.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Wilson|first1=Christopher|title=The state of the once glorious QE2 is a tragedy. I intend to bring her home restored|url=http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/579605/cruise-ship-Cunard-175th-anniversary-QE2-refurbished-John-Chillingworth|accessdate=29 August 2015|publisher=Northern and Shell Media Publications|date=24 May 2015}}</ref> A move to London however would require the ship to pass through the [[Thames Barrier]]. In late 2015 there was disagreement between ship preservation advocates and harbour authorities on whether a dead ship of her size could safely manoeuvre through the barrier.<ref>{{cite web|last1=O'Rourke|first1=Tony|title=Why QE2 Will Never Come to London|url=http://www.theqe2story.com/forum/index.php?topic=6930.0|website=The QE2 Story|publisher=QE2 Story Forum|accessdate=14 November 2015}}</ref> John Houston suggested returning the ship to Greenock as a maritime attraction, hotel and events space.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Swarbrick|first1=Susan|title=Why it's time to bring the QE2 home|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/opinion/13415137.Why_it_s_time_to_bring_the_QE2_home/|accessdate=29 August 2015|publisher=Herald & Times Group|date=30 June 2015}}</ref> [[Inverclyde Council]] leader Stephen McCabe has called on the UK and Scottish governments to campaign to buy the ship, saying that “Bringing the ''QE2'' home is a Herculean task, one that requires national support in Scotland and perhaps across the UK, if it has any chance of happening.”<ref>{{cite news|last1=Christison|first1=Greg|title=Herculean’ effort to save the QE2 from a sorry end in Dubai|url=http://www.express.co.uk/scotland/581820/Queen-Elizabeth-Dubai-Scotland-ship-save|accessdate=29 August 2015|publisher=Scottish Express|date=3 July 2015}}</ref> In January 2016 Aubrey Fawcett, the chair of the working group to regenerate the Clyde, admitted defeat in this effort as ''QE2's'' owners refused to respond to any requests regarding her condition or sale. ''"Consequently, we must conclude that it is highly unlikely that Scotland features in the future plans for the vessel."''<ref name="CLYDE"/> |
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=====QE2's movements in 2015===== |
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On 12 August 2015, the QE2 was observed to have been moved from her berth within Dubai Dry Docks, where she had been since January 2013, to a more open location within Port Rashid. On 17 November 2015, QE2 was again moved within Port Rashid, to the former cruise terminal. It is not known whether these recent moves are connected with any of the publicly known plans regarding the ships fate. |
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<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theqe2story.com/forum/index.php/topic,7066.0.html|title=Positions of QE2 since 26.11.2008|publisher=}}</ref> |
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[[File:QE2 Ocean Liner in her new location in Dubai, as moved in late October 2015.jpeg|thumb|QE2 in new location in Port Rashid, Dubai, in late October 2015]] |
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=====2016 removal of lifeboats and davits===== |
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Between May and August 2016, observers noted that the ship's lifeboats were lowered and stored on a nearby car park, and then the lifeboat [[davit]]s that were installed during her 1987 refit were removed in September, thus returning the ship to her pre-1987 profile.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theqe2story.com/forum/index.php/topic,7341.0.html|title=Lifeboats/Davits Removal 2016}}</ref><ref>http://maritimematters.com/2017/01/hotel-ships-and-qe2-preservation-versus-practicalities/</ref> |
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=====50th anniversary celebration===== |
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September 2017 marks the 50th anniversary of QE2's launch.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/nightlife/chris-frame-qe2/8808814|title=Monday Night Travel -QE2}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cruisebe.com/cunard-line-will-celebrate-the-queen-elizabeth-2-50th-anniversary|title=Cunard Line Will Celebrate The Queen Elizabeth 2 50th Anniversary {{!}} CruiseBe|work=CruiseBe|access-date=2018-01-19|language=en}}</ref> To mark the occasion, Cunard Line, the ship's former owners, arranged a commemorative voyage aboard the MS ''Queen Elizabeth'' - a 17 night cruise.<ref>http://www.cunardline.com.au/q729/</ref> Planned events include a QE2 day on 25 September and keynote speeches by Captain McNaught, Commodore Warwick, social hostess Maureen Ryan and maritime historian Chris Frame.<ref>https://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/news/news.cfm?ID=8005</ref> Meanwhile, in Glasgow, The QE2 Story Forum hosted a 50th anniversary conference with Captain Nick Bates as a headliner speaker.<ref>https://www.theqe2story.com/forum/index.php?board=120.0</ref> Several books have been released for the anniversary including ''Building the Queen Elizabeth 2'' by Cunard historian Michael Gallagher, and ''QE2: A 50th Anniversary Celebration'' by Chris Frame and Rachelle Cross.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.qe2book.com |title=QE2: A 50th Anniversary Celebration}}</ref> |
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==Design== |
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[[File:QE2 bow.jpg|thumb|''QE2''{{'}}s long bow was typical of ocean liners]] |
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[[File:QEII forty.jpg|thumb|upright|''QE2'' back on the [[River Clyde]] for her 40th birthday]] |
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{{refimprove section|date=April 2017}} |
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===Exterior=== |
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Like both {{SS|Normandie|3=2}} and {{SS|France|1961|2}}, ''QE2'' has a flared stem and clean [[forecastle]]. What was controversial at the time was that Cunard decided not to paint the funnel with the line's distinctive colour and pattern, something that had been done on all merchant vessels since the first Cunard ship, the {{RMS|Britannia}}, sailed in 1840. Instead the funnel was painted white and black, with the Cunard orange-red appearing only on the inside of the wind scoop. This practice ended in 1983 when ''QE2'' returned from service in the [[Falklands War]], and the funnel has been painted in Cunard traditional colours (orange and black), with black horizontal bands (known as "hands") ever since. The original pencil-like funnel was rebuilt in 1986 as a more robust one, using metal from the original, when the ship was converted from steam to [[Diesel engine|diesel]] power. |
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Large quantities of aluminium were used in the framing and cladding of ''QE2''{{'}}s superstructure. This decision was designed to save weight, reducing the draft of the ship and lowering the fuel consumption, but it also posed the possibility of corrosion problems that can occur with joining the dissimilar metals together, so a jointing compound was coated between the steel and aluminium surfaces to prevent this happening. The low melting point of aluminium caused concern when ''QE2'' was serving as a troop ship during the [[Falklands War]]: some feared that if the ship were struck by a missile, as was {{HMS|Sheffield|D80|6}}, her upper decks would collapse quickly due to fire, thereby causing greater casualties. |
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In 1972, the first penthouse suites were added in an aluminium structure on Signal Deck and Sports Deck (now "Sun Deck"), behind the ship's [[Bridge (ship)|bridge]], and in 1977 this structure was expanded to include more suites with balconies, making ''QE2'' one of the first ships to offer private terraces to passengers since ''Normandie'' in the 1930s. |
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''QE2''{{'}}s balcony accommodation was expanded for the final time during ''QE2''{{'}}s 1986/87 refurbishment in [[Bremerhaven]]. During this refit the ship was given a new wider funnel built using panels from the original. It retained the traditional Cunard colours. |
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''QE2''{{'}}s final structural changes included the reworking of the aft decks during the 1994 refit (following the removal of the magrodome), and the addition of an undercover area on Sun Deck during her 2005 refit, creating a space known as Funnel Bar. |
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===Interiors=== |
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''Queen Elizabeth 2''{{'}}s interior configuration was laid out in a horizontal fashion, similar to ''France'', where the spaces dedicated to the two classes were spread horizontally on specific decks, in contrast to the vertical class divisions of older liners. Where ''QE2'' differed from ''France'' was that the first class deck (Quarter Deck) was below the deck dedicated to tourist class (Upper Deck). Originally there were to be main lounges serving three classes, layered one atop the other, but when Cunard decided to make the ship a two class vessel, only two main lounges were needed. Instead of completely reconfiguring the Boat Deck, the ship's architects simply opened a well in the deck between what were to have been the second and third class lounges, creating a double height space known as the Double Room (now the Grand Lounge). This too was unconventional in that it designated a grander two-storey space for tourist class passengers, while first class passengers gathered in the standard height Queen's Room. However, the configuration for segregated Atlantic crossings gave first class passengers the theatre balcony on Boat Deck, while tourist class used the orchestra level on Upper Deck. |
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Over the span of her thirty-nine-year seagoing career, ''QE2'' has had a number of interior refits and alterations. |
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The year she came into service, 1969, was also the year of the [[Apollo 11]] mission, when the [[Concorde]]'s prototype was unveiled, and the previous year [[Stanley Kubrick]]'s film ''[[2001: A Space Odyssey (film)|2001: A Space Odyssey]]'' premiered. In keeping with those times, originally Cunard broke from the traditional interiors of their previous liners for ''QE2'', especially the [[Art Deco]] style of the previous ''Queens''. Instead modern materials like [[Laminate|plastic laminates]], aluminium and [[Perspex]] were used. Furniture was modular and [[abstract art]] was used throughout public rooms and cabins. |
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The Midships Lobby on Two Deck, where first class passengers boarded for transatlantic journeys and all passengers boarded for cruises, was a circular room with a sunken seating area in the centre with green leather clad banquettes, and surrounded by a chrome railing. As a kingpin to this was a flared, white, trumpet shaped, up lit column. |
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Another room, designed by Michael Inchbald, where ''QE2''{{'}}s advanced interior design was demonstrated was the first class lounge, the Queen's Room on Quarter Deck. This space, in colours of white and tan, featured a lowered ceiling with large indirectly lit slots, which, despite reducing the ceiling height, created an impression of airy openness above to deal with the otherwise oppressive dimensions of the single storey room (c. 30m x 30m x 2.4m). In addition the structural columns were flared at the top to blend into the ceiling and to lose the visual indication of low ceiling height that straight columns would have given. (The Midships Lobby copied these features but without achieving the airiness.) Michael Inchbald repeated the flaring of the columns in the bases of his tables and leather shell chairs. The indirect lighting from above could be switched from a cool hue for summer to a warm hue for winter.<ref>Explained to the author by his father, Michael Inchbald</ref> |
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The Theatre Bar on Upper Deck featured red chairs, red drapes, a red egg crate fibreglass screen, and even a red baby [[grand piano]]. Some more traditional materials like wood veneer were used as highlights throughout the ship, especially in passenger corridors and staterooms. There was also an Observation Bar on Quarter Deck, a successor to its namesake, located in a similar location, on both previous ''Queens'', which offered views through large windows over the ship's bow. This room was lost in ''QE2''{{'}}s 1972 refit, becoming galley space with the forward-facing windows plated over. |
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In the 1994 refit almost all of the remaining original decor was replaced, with Cunard opting to reverse the original design direction of ''QE2''{{'}}s designers and use the line's traditional ocean liners as inspiration. The green velvet and leather Midships Bar became the [[Art Deco]] inspired Chart Room, receiving an original, custom designed piano from ''Queen Mary''. The (by now) blue dominated Theatre Bar was transformed into the Golden Lion Pub, which mimics a traditional [[Edwardian period|Edwardian]] pub. Some original elements were retained including the flared columns in the Queens Room and Mid-Ships Lobby which were incorporated into the reworked designs. Unfortunately the Queen's Room's indirect lighting from above was replaced with uplighters which reversed the original light airy effect by illuminating the lowered ceiling and leaving shadows in the ceiling's slot; and the furniture and carpet which replaced Michael Inchbald's designs were incongruous next to the flared columns and slotted ceiling. |
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By the time of her retirement, the Synagogue was the only room that had remained unaltered since 1969.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://members.tripod.com/~Tziper/today.htm |title=Queen Elizabeth 2: Today |publisher=Members.tripod.com |accessdate=14 July 2010}}</ref> However it was reported that during ''QE2''{{'}}s 22 October five night voyage, the Synagogue was carefully dismantled before being removed from the ship prior to her final sailing to Dubai.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.travelserver.net/travelpage/ubb-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=3&t=004606 |title=Cruise Talk – Topic: QE2's Synagogue dismantled |publisher=Travelserver.net |accessdate=14 July 2010}}</ref> |
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===Artwork and artefacts=== |
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[[File:QE2 bell.jpg|thumb|''QE2'' bell on display on the {{MS|Queen Elizabeth}}]] |
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The ''Queen Elizabeth 2'' holds pieces of artwork, as well as maritime artefacts drawn from Cunard's long history of operating merchant vessels. |
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In the Mauretania Restaurant sits [[Althea Wynne]]'s sculpture of the ''White Horses'' of the Atlantic Ocean.<ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/culture-obituaries/art-obituaries/9082747/Althea-Wynne.html Althea Wynne (obituary)] in [[The Daily Telegraph]] dated 14 February 2012, online at telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 3 June 2012</ref> There are bronze busts of both Sir [[Samuel Cunard]] (outside the Yacht Club) and Queen [[Elizabeth II]] (in the Queen's Room). The Princess Grill holds four life-size statues of human forms representing the four elements, done by sculptor Janine Janet in marine materials like shell and coral. The Chart Room's frieze was designed by Brody Nevenshwander, and depicts the words of [[T. S. Eliot]], Sir [[Francis Drake]], and [[John Masefield]]. The Midships Lobby holds a solid silver model of the ''Queen Elizabeth 2'' made by Asprey of Bond Street in 1975, which was lost until a photograph was found in 1997 that led to the discovery of the model itself, and its placement on the ''QE2'' in 1999. |
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In "E" stairway hangs three custom designed tapestries, commissioned from [[Helena Hernmarck]] for the ship's launch, that depict the Queen as well as the launch of the ship. These tapestries, which were originally hung in "D" Stairway, Quarter Deck, outside the Columbia Restaurant, were damaged in 2005, as mentioned in the [[#Service history|Service history]] (above). They were originally made with golden threads; however much of this was lost when they were cleaned incorrectly as part of the 1987 refit. |
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There are numerous photographs, oils and pastels of members of the [[British Royal Family|Royal Family]] throughout the vessel, and silver plaques commemorating the visits of every member of the Royal Family, as well as other dignitaries like South African president [[Nelson Mandela]]. |
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Amongst the artefacts on board is a set of antique Japanese armour presented to the ''QE2'' by the Governor of [[Kagoshima]], Japan, during her 1979 world cruise, and a [[Josiah Wedgwood|Wedgwood]] vase presented to the ship by Lord Wedgwood. |
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Items from previous Cunard ships include a brass relief plaque with a fish motif from the first {{RMS|Mauretania|1906}}, and an Art Deco bas-relief titled ''Winged Horse and Clouds'', by Norman Foster from [[RMS Queen Elizabeth]]. There is also a vast array of Cunard postcards, porcelain, flatware, boxes, linen, and [[Lines Bros]] Tri-ang Minic model ships. One of her key pieces is a replica of the [[figurehead]] from Cunard's first ship, [[RMS Britannia]], carved from [[Quebec]] yellow pine by [[Cornwall|Cornish]] sculptor Charles Moore, and presented to the ship by [[Lloyd's of London]]. On the Upper Deck sits the silver Boston Commemorative Cup, presented to ''Britannia'' by the City of Boston in 1840. This cup was lost for decades until being found in a pawn shop in Halifax, Nova Scotia. On "2" Deck is a bronze entitled ''Spirit of the Atlantic'' which was designed by Barney Seale for the second {{RMS|Mauretania|1938}}. A large wooden plaque was presented to the ''QE2'' by [[First Sea Lord]] Sir [[John Fieldhouse, Baron Fieldhouse|John Fieldhouse]] to commemorate the ship's service as a Hired Military Transport (HMT) in the [[Falklands War]]. |
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There is also an extensive collection of large-scale models of Cunard ships throughout the ''QE2''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.magwa.co.uk/qe2/qe2prt01.htm |title=Interiors of QE2 following The Cunard Heritage Trail in part |publisher=Magwa.co.uk |accessdate=10 May 2012}}</ref> |
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Most of these items were sold by Cunard to Istithmar when they purchased ''QE2''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://qe2thelastcrossing.blogspot.com/2008/10/qe2-heritage-trail.html |title=QE2 Heritage Trail |accessdate=25 May 2010}}</ref> |
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===Crew accommodation=== |
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The majority of crew were accommodated in two- or four-berth cabins, with showers and toilets at the end of each alleyway{{Citation needed|date=August 2012}}. These were located forward and aft on decks three to six{{Citation needed|date=August 2012}}. At the time she entered service, the crew areas were a significant improvement over those aboard {{RMS|Queen Mary}} and {{RMS|Queen Elizabeth}}; however the ship's age and the lack of renovation of the crew area during her 40 years of service, in contrast to passenger areas, which were updated periodically, meant that this accommodation was considered basic by the end of her career. [[Licensed mariner|Officers]] were accommodated in single cabins with private en-suite bathrooms located on Sun Deck.<ref name="TheQE2Story" /> |
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There were three crew bars, one named ''The Pig & Whistle''.<ref name="journey_book" /> ("The Pig" for short and a tradition aboard Cunard ships), ''Castaways'' and the ''Fo'c's'le Club''. A fourth bar, dedicated for the officers is located at the forward end of Boat Deck. Named ''The Officers Wardroom'' this area enjoyed forward facing views and was often opened to passengers for cocktail parties hosted by the senior officers.<ref name="lightbody1" /> The crew mess was situated at the forward end of One Deck,<ref name="journey_book" /> adjacent to the crew services office. |
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==Technical aspects== |
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[[File:20-QE2 Re-engine.jpg|thumb|''QE2'' being re-engined at [[Bremerhaven]]]] |
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[[File:21-QE2 Re-engine.jpg|thumb|''QE2''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s original funnel, removed while being re-engined, her old fixed-pitch propellers are lying to the bottom left hand side on the photo.]] |
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After the ship was launched, the ''QE2'' was fitted out with a [[steam turbine]] propulsion system utilising three Foster Wheeler E.S.D II boilers, which provided steam for the two Brown-[[Pametrada]] turbines. The turbines were rated with a maximum power output figure of 110,000 shaft horsepower (normally operating at 94,000 hp) and were coupled to two six-bladed fixed-pitch [[propeller]]s. |
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The steam turbines were plagued with problems{{Citation needed|date=August 2012}} from the time the ship first entered service and, despite being technically advanced and fuel-efficient in 1968, her consumption of 600 tons of fuel oil every twenty four hours was more than expected for such a ship by the 1980s. After seventeen years of service the availability of spare parts was becoming difficult{{Citation needed|date=August 2012}} due to the outdated design of the boilers and turbines, and Cunard decided that the options were to either do nothing for the remainder of the ship's life, re-configure the existing engines, or re-engine the vessel with a more efficient diesel-electric powerplant. Ultimately it was decided to replace the engines, as it was calculated that the savings in fuel costs and maintenance would pay for themselves over four years, and give the vessel a minimum of another twenty years of service, whereas the other options would only provide short-term relief.<ref name="Rob Lightbody">{{cite web|url=http://www.roblightbody.com/liners/qe-2/1987_Refit/ |publisher=Rob Lightbody |title=QE2's Major 1986–1987 re-engining refit |accessdate=8 February 2011}}</ref> Her steam turbines had taken her to a record breaking total of 2,622,858 miles in 18 years.<ref name="The Cunarders">{{cite web|url=http://www.thecunarders.co.uk/QE2%20History.html |publisher=The Cunarders |title=The Cunarders QE2 History |accessdate=23 March 2011}}</ref> |
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During the ship's 1986 to 1987 refit, the steam turbines were removed and scrapped. The engine rooms were then fitted with nine German [[MAN SE|MAN]] L58/64 nine-cylinder, medium-speed diesel engines, each weighing approximately 120 tons. Using a diesel-electric configuration, each engine drives a generator, each developing 10.5 MW of electrical power at 10,000 volts. This electrical plant, in addition to powering the ship's auxiliary and hotel services through transformers, drives the two main propulsion motors, one on each propeller shaft. These motors produce 44 MW each and are of synchronised salient-pole construction, nine metres in diameter and weighing more than 400 tons each. The ship's service speed of {{convert|28.5|kn|km/h}} can be maintained using only seven of the diesel-electric sets. Her maximum power output with the new engine configuration running was now 130,000 hp, which is greater than the previous system's 110,000 hp. Using the same IBF-380 ([[Bunker C]]) fuel, the new configuration yielded a 35% fuel saving over the previous system. During the re-engining process, her funnel was replaced by a wider one to accommodate the exhaust pipes for the nine B&W diesel engines. |
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Another part of the refit the replacement of original fixed-pitch propellers with [[controllable-pitch propeller|variable-pitch propellers]]. The old steam engines required astern turbines to move the ship backwards or stop her moving forward. The pitch of the new variable pitch blades, however, could simply be reversed, causing a reversal of propeller thrust while maintaining the same direction of propeller rotation, allowing the ship shorter stopping times and improved handling characteristics. The new propellers were originally fitted with "Grim Wheels", named after their inventor, Dr.-Ing. Otto Grim.<ref name="Rob Lightbody"/> These were free-spinning propeller blades fitted behind the main propellers, with long vanes protruding from the centre hub. These were designed to recover lost propeller thrust and reduce fuel consumption by 2.5 to 3%. However, after the trial of these wheels, when the ship was drydocked, the majority of the vanes on each wheel were discovered to have broken off, and so the wheels were removed and the project abandoned. |
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Other machinery includes nine heat recovery boilers, coupled with two oil-fired boilers to produce steam for heating fuel, domestic water, swimming pools, laundry equipment, and galleys. Four flash evaporators and a reverse-osmosis unit desalinate sea water to produce 1000 tons of fresh water daily. There is also a sanitation system and sewage disposal plant, air conditioning plant, and an electro-hydraulic steering system.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.qe2.org.uk/engine.html |title=The engine room |publisher=QE2 |accessdate=14 July 2010}}</ref> |
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==Name== |
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===Form of name=== |
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[[File:QE2 stern 15 October 2008.jpg|thumb|''QE2'' stern name, October 2008]] |
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[[File:QE2 bow 15 October 2008.jpg|thumb|''QE2'' bow name, October 2008]] |
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The name of the liner as it appears on the bow and stern is ''Queen Elizabeth 2'', with upper and lower case lettering and an [[Arabic numeral]] 2 as opposed to the [[Roman numeral]] II. As such, it is commonly pronounced in speech as ''Queen Elizabeth Two''.<ref name="UGArchiveShip736"> |
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{{cite web |
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| url = http://www.gla.ac.uk/services/archives/exhibitions/qe2/shipnumber736/ |
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| title = Ship number 736 |
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| author = Neil Leitch, Glasgow University Archive Services |
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| accessdate =14 November 2008 |
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| work = Queen Elizabeth Two (QE2) 40 years on |
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| publisher = University of Glasgow, Archive Services exhibitions |
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| date = n.d. |
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| quote = The name of the ship was kept a secret and as the day of the launch approached ... Queen Elizabeth stepped forward and named the ship, ''Queen Elizabeth the Second'', being the second ship called ''Queen Elizabeth'' ... As Roman numerals are always used for monarchs, the Arabic numeral 2 is used in the ship's name to distinguish her from the monarch, and she has always been referred to as, ''Queen Elizabeth Two'', or most often as the QE2 |
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}} |
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</ref> Soon after launching, the name was shortened in common use as ''QE2''.<ref name="ShipsandCruiseQE2Birthday"/> |
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===Background=== |
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In 1934 ''Queen Mary'' was named by and after [[Mary of Teck]] and in 1938 ''Queen Elizabeth'' was named by and after [[Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother|Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon]],<ref name="MillerPicHistCunardp127"/> who were both at the time of the naming married to the reigning monarch.<ref name="Mirror10Nov08lastvoyage"/> These two previous Cunarders both had capitalised bow names, as ''QUEEN ELIZABETH'' and ''QUEEN MARY''. |
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Cunard practice at the time of naming ''QE2'' was to re use the existing name of [[Cunard Line#Former ships|its former ships]], for example, launching the {{RMS|Mauretania|1938|2}} in 1938 after the previous {{RMS|Mauretania|1906|2}} was scrapped in 1935. |
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The original ''Queen Elizabeth'' was still in service with Cunard when ''QE2'' was launched in 1967, although she was retired and sold before ''QE2'' entered revenue service with Cunard in 1969. |
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The addition of a 2 in this manner was unknown at the time, but it was not unknown for Roman numerals to denote ships in service with the same name. Two non Cunard ships were named ''Queen Mary II'', a Clyde steamer, and ''Mauretania II'', a Southampton steamer of Red Funnel, since the Cunard ships already had the names without Roman numerals. |
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===Launch=== |
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As was Cunard practice at the time, the name of the liner was not to be publicly revealed until the launch.<ref name="GreatOceanLinersQE2page"> |
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{{cite web |
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| url = http://www.thegreatoceanliners.com/qe2.html |
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| title = Queen Elizabeth 2, 1969 – Present Day |
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| author = Henrik Ljungström |
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|author2=Daniel Othfors |
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| accessdate =14 November 2008 |
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| work = Ship Histories |
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| publisher = The Great Ocean Liners |
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| quote = And like the ''Queen Mary'', this new ship did not get a name until the day of her launch ... In the end, a decision was finally made. The new ship would be christened the Queen Elizabeth 2, to honour the previous ''Queen Elizabeth''. |
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}} |
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</ref> Dignitaries were invited to the "Launch of Cunard Liner No. 736",<ref name="UGArchiveShip736Invitations"> |
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{{cite web |
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| url = http://www.gla.ac.uk/services/archives/exhibitions/qe2/qe2photogallery4/ticketsforthelaunchofshipno736/ |
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| title = Tickets for the launch of Ship No. 736 |
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| author = Neil Leitch, Glasgow University Archive Services |
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| accessdate =14 November 2008 |
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| work = Queen Elizabeth Two (QE2) 40 years on |
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| publisher = University of Glasgow, Archive Services exhibitions |
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| date = n.d. |
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}} |
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</ref> as no name had yet been painted on the bow.<ref name="MillerPicHistQMQELaunchHullpic">William H. Miller, In ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=j3QVOW9EpikC&printsec=frontcover#PPA97,M1 Picture history of the Queen Mary and the Queen Elizabeth]'', Courier Dover Publications 2004, {{ISBN|0-486-43509-1}}, {{OL|3303843M}}, p97, [[Google Books]] search (partial preview), Picture showing the QE2 hull being launched without a bow name, caption: (p96) "Right: The joyous launch of the Queen Elizabeth 2 on 20 September 1967". Retrieved 14 November 2008</ref> |
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The Queen launched the ship with the words "I name this ship ''Queen Elizabeth the Second'',"<ref name="BBCOnThisDay20Sep1967"> |
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{{Cite news |
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| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/september/20/newsid_3075000/3075555.stm |
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| title = On This Day, 20 September 1967: Queen Elizabeth 2 takes to the waves |
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| author = BBC News |
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| accessdate =14 November 2008 |
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| date = <!-- Unclear. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/bsp/about_this_site.stm] indicates that the "On This Day" series is "written as if the event had only just occurred", but does not claim to actually be a transcript of a contemporary report. Copyright at bottom of page says 2008. --> |
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| quote = In clear tones, she pronounced: ‘I name this ship Queen Elizabeth the Second. May God bless her and all who sail in her.’ |
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| authorlink = BBC News |
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}} |
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</ref> the normal short form of address of the monarch, Elizabeth II herself. |
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The following day, the ''New York Times''<ref name="NYTimes21Sep1967archive"> |
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{{Cite news |
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| author = Alvin Schuster |
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| title = Name of Cunarder Is a Surprise but Has Precedent; QUEEN LAUNCHES THE ELIZABETH II |
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| url = http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F40614F73E5C107B93C3AB1782D85F438685F9&scp=1&sq=21+september+1967+elizabeth&st=p |
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| work=New York Times |
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| date = 21 September 1967 |
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| accessdate =14 November 2008 |
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| quote = CLYDEBANK, Scotland, Sept. 20—Queen Elizabeth II launched Britain's newest luxury liner today and named her Queen Elizabeth II. |
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}} |
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</ref> and ''British Times'' printed the name as ''Queen Elizabeth II'', the short form of written style of the monarch. However, when the liner left the shipyard in 1968 she bore the name ''Queen Elizabeth 2'' on her bow, and has continued to do so ever since.<ref name="MillerPicHistQMQEBridgeFitpic">William H. Miller, In ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=j3QVOW9EpikC&printsec=frontcover#PPA98,M1 Picture history of the Queen Mary and the Queen Elizabeth]'', Courier Dover Publications 2004, {{ISBN|0-486-43509-1}}, {{OL|3303843M}}, p98, [[Google Books]] search (partial preview), Picture showing the QE2 bow wearing the name Queen Elizabeth 2 while having the bridge lowered into place, caption: (p99) "this 1968 photo, opposite, top, shows the wheelhouse and bridge sections being lifted aboard". Retrieved 14 November 2008</ref> |
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===1969 authorised history=== |
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In an authorised history of the ''QE2'' published in 1969,<ref name="PotterAuthorisedStory1969genref"> |
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{{Cite book |
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|last = Potter |
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|first = Neil |
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|author2=Jack Frost |
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|title = Queen Elizabeth 2: The Authorised Story |
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|year = 1969 |
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|publisher = Harrap |
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|isbn = 0-245-59444-2 |
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|ol=4616734M |
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}} |
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</ref> various explanations of events occur. |
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These state that, as at the launch ceremony, an envelope and card were also held in New York in case of transmission failure, and when opened the card was found to read the name Queen Elizabeth, and that the decision to add "The Second" to the name was an alteration by the Queen. The book quotes the Cunard chairman [[Sir Basil Smallpeice]]<!-- DO NOT CHANGE SPELLING! SMALLPEICE IS CORRECT--> as saying "The ''Queen Mary'' [named] after her Grandmother, the ''Queen Elizabeth'' after her mother, and now this magnificent ship after herself." |
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Following the unexpected addition of ''the Second'' by the Queen, the book attributes the use of upper and lower case lettering and a numeric ''2'' – rather than a [[Roman numerals|Roman]] ''II'' – to the decision by Cunard to use a more modern typeface to suit the style of the 1960s. The book also surmises that the naming of the liner after the reigning monarch, in the form Queen Elizabeth II, was potentially offensive to some Scots, as the title of Queen Elizabeth II (of the United Kingdom) relates to the lineage of the throne of England (the Tudor monarch [[Elizabeth I of England|Elizabeth I]] having reigned only in England). |
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===Ron Warwick, former Captain=== |
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A later account by Ronald Warwick (son of William "Bil" Warwick, first master of ''QE2''), who was also [[Captain (nautical)|Master]] of both ''QE2'' and later the first captain of ''[[RMS Queen Mary 2|QM2]]'', supports the account that the Queen initiated the surprise move of naming the liner after herself rather than simply Queen Elizabeth as had originally been planned (the name having been made vacant by the retirement of the current liner before the new one was commissioned).<ref name="RonaldWarwick3rdEditionp60">Warwick junior is currently involved with ''QE2'' in Dubai and Cape Town on behalf of Nakheel. |
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{{Cite book |
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|last = Warwick |
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|first = Ronald W. |
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|title = QE2 – The Cunard Line Flagship, Queen Elizabeth 2 |
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|edition = 3rd |
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|year = 1999 |
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|publisher = W. W. Norton and Company |
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|isbn = 0-393-04772-5 |
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|ol=7451640M |
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|quote = There was no question what Sir Basil and the Cunard board desired. The name was discussed with Lord Adeane, the queen's private secretary, and it was decided simply to ask that the new ship be named Queen Elizabeth, because by the time of her commissioning, both of the earlier Queens would be withdrawn from service and she could assume the name vacated by one of her predecessors ... Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II moved to the front of the launching platform and was handed an envelope by John Rannie with the name of the ship inside. This was a tradition because many years before someone purportedly had forgotten the name of a ship about to be launched. The envelope remained unopened as the queen stepped forward and uttered the words, "I name this ship the Queen Elizabeth the Second. May God Bless her and all who sail in her" ... Sir Basil {{sic|hide=y|Smallpeice}}<!-- DO NOT CHANGE SPELLING! SMALLPEICE IS CORRECT--> was overjoyed at the sovereign's alteration of the name. (paragraph reference his autobiography {{ISBN|0-906393-10-8}}) He could not have been more delighted with having the third of the great royal Cunarders named in this manner. The decision promptly was made to style the giant liner ''Queen Elizabeth 2'' using the numeral two to differentiate the ship from the sovereign. |
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}} |
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</ref> The name had been given to the Queen in a sealed envelope which she didn't open. The book, referencing his autobiography, states that the Cunard chairman Sir Basil {{sic|hide=y|Smallpeice}}<!-- DO NOT CHANGE SPELLING! SMALLPEICE IS CORRECT--> was delighted with this development, it being in keeping with the previous Queen liners, and the 2 was added by Cunard for differentiation of the ship while still denoting it was named after the Queen. |
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===Cunard website=== |
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From at least 2002 the official Cunard website stated that "The new ship is not named after the Queen but is simply the second ship to bear the name – hence the use of the Arabic 2 in her name, rather than the Roman II used by the Queen",<ref name="CunardWebsiteQE2First30YearsArchive16June2002"> |
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{{cite web |
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| url = http://www.cunard.com/onboard/qe2/first30years.asp?Active=QE2&Sub=SF |
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| title = The First 30 Years |
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| accessdate =14 November 2008 |
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| work = Queen Elizabeth II Ship Facts |
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| publisher = Cunard Official Website, www.cunard.com |
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| archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20020616200739/http://www.cunard.com/onboard/qe2/first30years.asp?Active=QE2&Sub=SF |
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| archivedate = 16 June 2002 |
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| quote = 1967: Launched by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in the presence of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh and HRH Princess Margaret. The new ship is not named after the Queen but is simply the second ship to bear the name – hence the use of the Arabic 2 in her name, rather than the Roman II used by the Queen |
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}} |
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</ref><ref name="CunardWebsiteQE2First30YearsArchive20October2006"> |
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{{cite web |
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| url = http://www.cunard.com/onboard/default.asp?OB=QE2&Sub=sp&SubSubSection=30Years |
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| title = The First 30 Years |
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| accessdate =14 November 2008 |
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| work = Queen Elizabeth II |
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| publisher = Cunard Official Website, www.cunard.com |
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| archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20061020013452/http://www.cunard.com/onboard/default.asp?OB=QE2&Sub=sp&SubSubSection=30Years |
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| archivedate = 20 October 2006 |
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| quote = 1967: Launched by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in the presence of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh and HRH Princess Margaret. The new ship is not named after the Queen but is simply the second ship to bear the name – hence the use of the Arabic 2 in her name, rather than the Roman II used by the Queen |
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}} |
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</ref> however, in a change in 2007 this information had been removed.<ref name="CunardWebsiteQE2First30YearsArchive11March2007"> |
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{{cite web |
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| url = http://www.cunard.com/onboard/default.asp?OB=QE2&Sub=sp&SubSubSection=30Years |
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| title = Sail into History |
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| accessdate =14 November 2008 |
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| work = Queen Elizabeth II History |
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| publisher = Cunard Official Website, www.cunard.com |
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| archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070311030132/http://www.cunard.com/OurShips/default.asp?Ship=QE2&main=int&sub=his| archivedate=11 March 2007| quote = 20 September 1967: Launched by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II |
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}} |
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</ref> |
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===Other accounts=== |
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Other later accounts repeat the position that Cunard originally intended to name the ship ''Queen Elizabeth'' and the addition of a 2 by the Queen was a surprise to Cunard, in 1990<ref name="SeaviewQE2page"> |
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{{cite web |
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| url = http://www.seaview.co.uk/cruiselines/cunard/QE2_Homepage.html |
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| title = QE2 ... The most famous ship in the world |
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| accessdate =14 November 2008 |
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| work = Cruise Ships |
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| publisher = Seaview Network Ltd. |
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| quote = It is almost 41 years since the Queen launched job number 736 at John Brown's on the Clyde and on impulse, attached the number 2 to the name of the Queen Elizabeth, much to the surprise of Cunard. |
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}} |
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</ref> and 2008,<ref name="Mirror10Nov08lastvoyage"> |
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{{Cite news |
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| author = John Honeywell |
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| title = The QE2's last voyage |
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| url = http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2008/11/10/the-qe2-s-last-voyage-115875-20884639/ |
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|work=Daily Mirror |
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| date = 10 November 2008 |
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| accessdate =14 November 2008 |
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| quote = [The Duke of Edinburgh] accompanied the Queen at the launching ceremony in 1967 when she surprised everyone by naming her ''Queen Elizabeth 2'' ... Cunard had intended to name her simply Queen Elizabeth, which was a 14–1 outsider because no British ship had until then been named after a reigning monarch. They were taken aback when Her Majesty pronounced "I name this ship Queen Elizabeth the Second." |
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}} |
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</ref> although two books by William H. Miller state that Queen Elizabeth 2 was the name agreed on before the launch<ref name="GreatOceanLinersQE2page"/> between Cunard officials and the Queen.<ref name="MillerPicHistQMQEp99">William H. Miller, In ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=j3QVOW9EpikC&printsec=frontcover#PPA98,M1 Picture history of the Queen Mary and the Queen Elizabeth]'', Courier Dover Publications 2004, {{ISBN|0-486-43509-1}}, {{OL|3303843M}}, p99, [[Google Books]] search (partial preview), "Queen Elizabeth II had agreed to do the naming at the ship's launch on 20 September 1967 and, in discussion with Cunard officials, agreed on Queen Elizabeth 2. The new ship was named after the previous liner, not the current queen" . Retrieved 14 November 2008</ref> |
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Accounts that repeat the position that ''QE2'' was not named after the reigning monarch have been published in 1991,<ref name="MillerPicHistCunardp127">William H. Miller, Frank O. Braynard, In ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=NNvmenHh7OMC&pg=PA127 Picture History of the Cunard Line, 1840–1990]'', Courier Dover Publications 1991, {{ISBN|0-486-26550-1}}, {{OL|1886775M}}, p127, [[Google Books]] search (partial preview), "But it was left to Queen Elizabeth herself, who, like her grandmother in 1934 and her mother in 1938, consented to name the liner at her launching. And so, on 20 September 1967, ... Queen Elizabeth named the new Cunarder ''Queen Elizabeth 2'', honouring the original ''Queen Elizabeth'' (not, as many had thought, the Queen herself). Evidently it had been decided to let the name ''Queen Mary'' remain with the majestic old three stacker..." . Retrieved 14 November 2008</ref> 1999,<ref name="BBCNews14April1999QE230years"> |
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{{Cite news |
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| author = BBC |
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| title = QE2 – 30 years of cruising |
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| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/319027.stm |
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|work=BBC News |
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| date = 14 April 1999 |
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| accessdate =14 November 2008 |
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| quote = QE2 Facts: Contrary to popular belief, the vessel is not named after Queen Elizabeth II, but is the second ship to be named Queen Elizabeth – hence the use of the Arabic figure 2 rather than the Roman II. |
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}} |
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</ref> 2004,<ref name="MillerPicHistQMQEp99"/> 2005,<ref name="ShipsandCruiseQE2Birthday">{{cite web|url=http://www.shipsandcruises.com/QE2_Birthday.htm |title=Happy Birthday To Cunard’s Longest Serving Vessel |accessdate= |work=ShipsandCruises.com |publisher=Travel-Scope.com Communications |date= |quote=This year on 4 September, the ''QE2'' becomes the longest serving Cunarder ever when she passes the 36 years, four months, and two days' record of the ''Scythia'' ... She is also probably the most misnamed ship in the world. She is ''Queen Elizabeth 2'' (not Queen Elizabeth II) indicating she is the second Cunard liner named Queen Elizabeth. ... Christened by: Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 1967 (The Queen did not name the ship after herself; and so in time the ship became known as the ''QE 2'') |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070813025204/http://www.shipsandcruises.com/QE2_Birthday.htm |archivedate=13 August 2007 }}</ref> and 2008.<ref name="BBCNews2June08Farewell"> |
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{{Cite news |
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| author = BBC |
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| title = Coronation farewell to QE2 liner |
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| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hampshire/7430666.stm |
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|work=BBC News |
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| date = 2 June 2008 |
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| accessdate =14 November 2008 |
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| quote = Although named ''QE2'', the ship was not named after the present Queen but rather the "2" shows that it denoted the fact the liner was the second ship named Queen Elizabeth. |
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}} |
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</ref><ref name="journey_qe2"> |
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{{Cite news |
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| author = Chris Frame and Rachelle Cross |
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| title = QE2: A Photographic Journey |
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| isbn = 978-0-7524-4803-9 |
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| work = Book |
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| publisher = The History Press |
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| date = August 2008 |
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| quote = Cunard agreed to name ship ''Queen Elizabeth'' after the elder Cunard Liner. |
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}} |
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</ref><ref name="Times2Jun08Farewell"> |
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{{Cite news |
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| author = Alan Hamilton |
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| title = QE2: Queen bids farewell to a sovereign of the seas |
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| url = http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article4045920.ece |
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|work=The Times |
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| date = 2 June 2008 |
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| accessdate =14 November 2008 |
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| quote = There is one common misconception about the ''QE2'' – that she is named after the Queen. In fact, she is simply the second Cunarder of that name: the ship takes the Arabic 2, the Queen the Roman II. |
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| location=London}} |
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</ref> In 2008, ''The Telegraph'' goes further to state the ship is named not only as the second ship named ''Queen Elizabeth'', but is specifically named after the wife of King George VI.<ref name="Telegraph50QE2Facts"> |
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{{Cite news |
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| url = http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/cruises/3440417/Fifty-fascinating-QE2-facts.html |
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| title = Fifty fascinating QE2 facts |
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| author = Jolyon Attwooll |
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| accessdate =14 November 2008 |
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|work=The Daily Telegraph |
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| date = 12 November 2008 |
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| quote = Fact 10: The ''QE2'' was not named after the current Queen but rather after the wife of King George VI. This explains the convention of using the actual number – i.e. ''Queen Elizabeth 2'' – rather than the Roman numerals of Queen Elizabeth II. |
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| location=London}} |
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</ref> In contradiction however, some modern accounts continue to publish that the ''QE2'' was named after the reigning monarch, in 2001<ref name="RoyalBookofLists">Matt Richardson, In ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=NSsCrCGz474C&printsec=frontcover#PPA70,M1 The Royal Book of Lists]'', Dundurn Press, 2001, {{ISBN|0-88882-238-3}}, {{OL|8211792M}}, p70-71, [[Google Books]] search (partial preview), During the twentieth century the Cunard Shipping Line launched three famous luxury liners, each named for a different English Queen, 1. The ''Queen Mary'', 2. The ''Queen Elizabeth'', 3. The ''Queen Elizabeth 2''. Retrieved 14 November 2008</ref> and 2008.<ref name="Mirror10Nov08lastvoyage"/><ref name="Scotsman6Oct08FinalVisit"> |
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{{Cite news |
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| author = Tristan Stewart-Robertson |
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| title = QE2 delights home crowd as she pays final visit |
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| url = http://news.scotsman.com/glasgow/QE2-delights-home-crowd-.4560399.jp |
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|work=The Scotsman |
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| publisher = [[Johnston Press]] |
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| date = 6 October 2008 |
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| accessdate =14 November 2008 |
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| quote = Jordan Beckett, seven, from Greenock, said: "It's quite big and I think there's a lot of passengers. I wish I could build a boat like that someday. It's important because it's named after the Queen." |
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| location=Edinburgh |
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}} |
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</ref> |
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===Post ''QE2'' Cunard naming practice=== |
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Cunard continued the 2 suffix naming practice introduced with ''QE2'' with the launch of the new {{RMS|Queen Mary 2||2}} ocean liner in 2003, named after the previous ''Queen Mary''. |
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==References== |
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{{Reflist|30em}} |
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==External links== |
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*[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/cruises/articles/50-facts-about-the-qe2/ Bomb threats, champagne and dead whales – 50 remarkable facts about the QE2 ''Daily Telegraph''] |
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===''QE2'' history websites=== |
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{{Commons|Queen Elizabeth 2 (ship, 1969)}} |
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*[http://www.qe2.org.uk/ Sam Warwick's ''QE2'' Homepage - Since 1996] |
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*[https://web.archive.org/web/20101011100326/http://chriscunard.com/qe2.php ''QE2'' Homepage at Chris' Cunard Page] |
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*[http://www.theqe2story.com/forum ''QE2'' Forum where much Dubai news is officially released] |
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*[http://www.thegreatoceanliners.com/qe2.html The Great Ocean Liners | ''QE2'' Pages] |
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*[http://www.roblightbody.com/liners/qe-2/1987_Refit/index.htm The ''QE2''{{'}}s major 1986–1987 re-engineering] |
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*[http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/heritage/qe2/ Archive of ''QE2'' Articles] |
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*[http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/hampshire/hi/people_and_places/newsid_8353000/8353074.stm BBC Hampshire – ''QE2'' One Year On] |
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===''QE2'' future use websites=== |
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*[http://www.qe2-london.com/ Official ''QE2'' London Website] |
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*[http://www.qe2hotels.com/ Official ''QE2'' Asia Hotel Website] |
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*[http://www.savetheqe2.info/ Save the ''QE2'' website] |
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===Video of ''QE2''=== |
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*[http://ships.galutschek.at/qe2/ Video Clips of ''QE2''] |
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*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AWRWsubWvI&list=PL3qAElimHee2jWFPyc1YZv_zLPA_a-YCq ''QE2'' Tours 1995 and 1996] |
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{{Cunard ships}} |
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{{Falklands War British ships}} |
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{{1992 shipwrecks}} |
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{{1995 shipwrecks}} |
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{{Surviving ocean going ships}} |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Queen Elizabeth 2}} |
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[[Category:1967 ships]] |
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[[Category:Clyde-built ships]] |
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[[Category:Cruise ships]] |
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[[Category:Maritime incidents in 1972]] |
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[[Category:Falklands War in South Georgia]] |
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[[Category:Falklands War naval ships of the United Kingdom]] |
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[[Category:Ocean liners]] |
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[[Category:Ocean liners of the United Kingdom]] |
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[[Category:Passenger ships of the United Kingdom]] |
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[[Category:Rogue wave incidents]] |
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[[Category:Ships of Scotland]] |
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[[Category:Ships of the Cunard Line]] |
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[[Category:Steamships]] |
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[[Category:Troop ships]] |
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[[Category:Troop ships of the United Kingdom]] |
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[[Category:Maritime incidents in 1992]] |
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[[Category:Maritime incidents in 1995]] |
Revision as of 11:11, 22 January 2018
Queen Elizabeth 2 leaving Southampton Water and entering into the Solent.
| |
History | |
---|---|
Name | Queen Elizabeth 2 |
Owner |
|
Operator | 1969–2008: Cunard Line |
Port of registry |
|
Route | North Atlantic and Cruising during Cunard service |
Ordered | 1964 |
Builder | John Brown and Company (Upper Clyde Shipbuilders), Clydebank, Scotland |
Cost | £29,091,000 (£368Million at 2016 value). |
Yard number | 736 |
Laid down | 5 July 1965 |
Launched | 20 September 1967 by Queen Elizabeth II |
Christened | 1967 by Queen Elizabeth ll |
Completed | 26 November 1968 (Sea trials commenced) |
Maiden voyage | 2 May 1969 |
In service | 1969–2008 |
Out of service | 27 November 2008 |
Identification |
|
Status | Laid up in Port Rashid since 4 June 2009 |
General characteristics | |
Class and type | Ocean liner/Cruise ship |
Tonnage | 70,327 GT |
Displacement | 49,738[1] |
Length | 963 ft (293.5 m)* |
Beam | 105 ft (32.0 m)* |
Height | 171 ft (52.1 m)* |
Draft | 32 ft (9.8 m)* |
Decks | 9 |
Installed power | 9 × MAN B&W 9L58/64 (9 × 10,625 kW) |
Propulsion |
|
Speed |
|
Capacity |
|
Crew | 1,040 |
The Queen Elizabeth 2, often referred to simply as QE2, is a retired ocean liner built for the Cunard Line which was operated by Cunard as both a transatlantic liner and a cruise ship from 1969 to 2008. She was designed for the transatlantic service from her home port of Southampton, UK, to New York, and was named after the earlier Cunard liner RMS Queen Elizabeth. She served as the flagship of the line from 1969 until succeeded by RMS Queen Mary 2 in 2004. Designed in Cunard's then headquarters and regional offices in Liverpool and Southampton respectively, and built in Clydebank, Scotland, QE2 was considered the last of the great transatlantic ocean liners until Queen Mary 2 entered service.
The QE2 was also the last oil-fired passenger steamship to cross the Atlantic in scheduled liner service until she was refitted with a modern diesel powerplant in 1986/1987. During almost forty years of service, Queen Elizabeth 2 undertook regular world cruises and later operated predominantly as a cruise ship, sailing out of Southampton, England. QE2 had no running mate and never ran a year-round weekly transatlantic express service to New York. QE2 did, however, continue the Cunard tradition of regular scheduled transatlantic crossings every year of her service life. QE2 was never given a Royal Mail Ship designation, instead carrying the SS and later MV or MS prefixes in official documents.[2]
QE2 was retired from active Cunard service on 27 November 2008. She had been acquired by Istithmar the year before by the private equity arm of Dubai World, which planned to begin conversion of the vessel to a 500-room floating hotel moored at the Palm Jumeirah, Dubai.[3][4] The 2008 financial crisis however intervened and the ship remains laid up at Port Rashid.[5] Subsequent conversion plans were announced by Istithmar in 2012[6] and by the Oceanic Group in 2013[7] but these both stalled. As of January 2016 the ship remains laid up in Dubai while the port operator claimed that there were future plans for the ship and no intent to scrap her.[5]
Characteristics
At the time of retirement, the ship had a gross tonnage of 70,327 and is 963 ft (294 m) long. QE2 had a top speed of 32.5 knots (60.2 km/h) with her original steam turbines; this was increased to 34 knots (63 km/h) when the vessel was re-engined with a diesel-electric powerplant.[8][9][10]
History
Concept and construction
By the mid 1960s transatlantic travel was dominated by air travel due to its speed and low cost relative to the sea route, and expansion of air travel showed no signs of slowing down. Conversely, Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth were becoming increasingly expensive to operate, and both internally and externally were relics of the pre-war years. Cunard did not want to give up the business of passenger service, and so gambled $80 million on a new ocean liner to replace the original ageing Queens.[11]
Realising the decline of transatlantic trade, and the rising costs of fuel and labour, Cunard decided their new ship had to be smaller and cheaper to operate than her predecessors. The new ship was designed to run at the same service speed of 28.5 knots (52.8 km/h) as the previous Queens, using half the fuel. Staff was also reduced from the levels on the older vessels. QE2 would also be able to transit the Panama Canal and her draught was seven feet less than her predecessors, allowing her to enter ports that the old Queens could not, and compete with the new generation of cruise ships.[11]
The interior and superstructure for the QE2 was designed by James Gardner. His design for the ocean liner was described by The Council of Industrial Design as that of a "very big yacht" and with a "look [that was] sleek, modern and purposeful".[12]
Originally designated Q4 (a previous ship design Q3 had been abandoned due to falling passenger revenues on the North Atlantic),[13] she was to be a three-class liner. However, looking to France, designs were changed to make Q4 a two-class liner that could be modified into a single-class cruise ship; transatlantic line voyages in the summer would be two-class, while warmer water cruises in the winter would be single-class.[14]
Queen Elizabeth 2 was built by the John Brown Shipyard in Clydebank, Scotland. The keel was laid down on 5 July 1965, as hull number 736 on the same plot where iconic liners such as Lusitania, Aquitania, Queen Mary, and Queen Elizabeth had been constructed. She was launched and named on 20 September 1967 by Queen Elizabeth II, using the same pair of gold scissors her mother and grandmother used to launch Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary, respectively.[14] On 19 November 1968 she left John Brown's fitting out berth,[15] and travelled down the River Clyde to the Firth of Clyde Dry Dock at Inchgreen, Port Glasgow, for final trials and commissioning.[16] After sea trials in the Irish Sea a "shakedown cruise" to Las Palmas set out on 22 April 1969.[15]
Service history
Early career
Queen Elizabeth 2's maiden voyage, from Southampton to New York, commenced on 2 May 1969,[15] taking 4 days, 16 hours, and 35 minutes.[17] Moving with modern times the company decided to have the scoop at the base of the funnel painted in the Cunard red and the rest was black and white. Another change was the decoration of the public rooms, parquet flooring, wood panelling and majestic decoration of the public rooms on the earlier Queens was replaced with glass, stainless steel, dark carpeting and sea green leather.[18] Prince Charles was the first "civilian" passenger to board the ship,[13] on her voyage from the shipyard in Clydebank to drydock in Port Glasgow.[citation needed] On board for the short journey was her Master Designate and first captain, William (Bil) Warwick. In 1971, she participated in the rescue of some 500 passengers from the burning French Line ship Antilles.[8][15]
On 17 May 1972, while travelling from New York to Southampton, she was the subject of a bomb threat.[13] She was searched by her crew, and a combined Special Air Service and Special Boat Service team which parachuted into the sea to conduct a search of the ship. No bomb was found, but the hoaxer was arrested by the FBI.[8]
The following year QE2 undertook two chartered cruises through the Mediterranean to Israel in commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the state's founding. The ship's Columbia Restaurant was koshered for Passover, and Jewish passengers were able to celebrate Passover on the ship. According to the book "The Angel" by Uri Bar-Joseph, Muammar Gaddafi ordered a submarine to torpedo her during one of the chartered cruises in relaliation for Israel's downing of Libyan Flight 114, but Anwar Sadat intervened secretly to foil the attack.
Falklands War
In May 1982 the ship took part in the Falklands War, carrying 3,000 troops and 650 volunteer crew to the South Atlantic. She was refitted in Southampton in preparation for war service, including the installation of two helicopter pads,[19] the transformation of public lounges into dormitories, the installation of fuel pipes that ran through the ship down to the engine room to allow for refuelling at sea, and the covering of carpets with 2,000 sheets of hardboard. A quarter of the ship’s length was reinforced with steel plating, and an anti-magnetic coil was fitted to combat naval mines.[20] Over 650 Cunard crew members volunteered for the voyage to look after the 3,000 members of the Fifth Infantry Brigade, which the ship transported to South Georgia. During the voyage the ship was blacked out and the radar switched off to avoid detection, steaming on without modern aids.[8][21]
The QE2 returned to the UK in June 1982, where she was greeted in Southampton Water by The Queen Mother on board the Royal Yacht Britannia. Peter Jackson, the captain of the QE2 responded to the Queen Mother's welcome: "Please convey to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth our thanks for her kind message. Cunard's Queen Elizabeth 2 is proud to have been of service to Her Majesty's Forces."[21] The ship underwent conversion back to passenger service, with her funnel being painted in the traditional Cunard orange with black stripes which are known as "Hands" for the first time, during the refit the hull's exterior was repainted an unconventional light pebble grey.[13] This colour proved unpopular with passengers,[13] as well as difficult to maintain and so the hull reverted to traditional colours in 1983.[8] Later that year, QE2 was fitted with a magrodome over her Quarter Deck pool.
Diesel era and Project Lifestyle
QE2 once again experienced mechanical problems following her annual overhaul in November 1983. Boiler problems caused Cunard to cancel a cruise, and, in October 1984, an electrical fire caused a complete loss of power. The ship was delayed for several days before power could be restored. Instead of replacing the QE2 with a newer vessel, Cunard decided that it was more prudent to simply make improvements to her. Therefore, in 1986/87, QE2 underwent one of her most significant refurbishments when she was converted from steam power to diesel.[8] Nine MAN B&W diesel electric engines, new propellers and a heat recovery system (to utilise heat expelled by the engines) were fitted. With this new propulsion system, QE2 was expected to serve another 20 years with Cunard. The passenger accommodation was also modernised.[8]
On 7 August 1992, the underside of the hull was extensively damaged when she ran aground south of Cuttyhunk Island near Martha's Vineyard, while returning from a five-day cruise to Halifax, Nova Scotia along the east coast of the United States and Canada. A combination of her speed, an uncharted shoal and underestimating the increase in the ship's draft due to the effect of squat led to the ship's hull scraping rocks on the ocean floor.[22] The accident resulted in the passengers disembarking earlier than scheduled at nearby Newport, Rhode Island and the ship being taken out of service while temporary repairs were made in drydock at Boston. Several days later, divers found the red paint from the keel on previously uncharted rocks in the vicinity of where the ship was said to have hit the bottom.[23][24]
By the mid 1990s it was decided that QE2 was due for a new look and in 1994 the ship was given a multimillion-pound refurbishment in Hamburg[8] code named Project Lifestyle.
On 11 September 1995, QE2 encountered a rogue wave, estimated at 90 ft (27 m), caused by Hurricane Luis in the North Atlantic Ocean about 200 miles south of eastern Newfoundland.[25] One year later, during her twentieth world cruise, she completed her four millionth mile. The ship had sailed the equivalent of 185 times around the planet.[26]
QE2 celebrated the 30th anniversary of her maiden voyage in Southampton in 1999. In three decades she had 1,159 voyages, sailed 4,648,050 nautical miles (5,348,880 mi; 8,608,190 km) and carried over two million passengers.[27]
Later years
Following the 1998 acquisition of the Cunard Line by Carnival Corporation, in 1999 QE2 was given a US$30 million refurbishment which included refreshing various public rooms,[13] and a new colour palette in the passenger cabins. The Royal Promenade, which formerly housed upscale shops such as Burberry, H. Stern and Aquascutum, were replaced by boutiques typical of cruise ships, selling perfumes, watches and logo items. During this refit the hull was stripped to bare metal, and the ship repainted in the traditional Cunard colours of matte black (Federal Grey) with a white superstructure.[8]
In 2004 the vessel stopped plying the traditional transatlantic route and began full-time cruising, the transatlantic route having been assigned to Cunard's new flagship, the Queen Mary 2. However, the QE2 still undertook an annual world cruise and regular trips around the Mediterranean. By this time, she lacked the amenities to rival newer, larger cruise ships, but she still had unique features such as her ballrooms, hospital,[28] and 6000 book library.[29] QE2 retained her title of one of the fastest cruise ships afloat (28.5 knots[30]), with fuel economy at this speed[30] at 49.5 ft[31][32][33] (15m) to the gallon.[34] While cruising at slower speeds efficiency was improved to 125 ft per gallon.[30]
At the end of her 2005 world cruise, some pieces of her artwork were damaged when some crew members who had become inebriated at an on-board crew party, went on a vandalism rampage through the public areas of the ship. A unique tapestry of the QE2, commissioned for the launch of the ship, was thrown overboard by a drunken crewman. An oil painting of Queen Elizabeth II and two other tapestries were damaged, along with a part of the entertainment area and a lifeboat. The crew members involved were dismissed from service, with charges pending.[35]
On 5 November 2004 the QE2 became Cunard's longest serving express liner, surpassing the RMS Aquitania's 35 years,[26] while on 4 September 2005, during a call to the port of Sydney, Nova Scotia, QE2 became the longest serving Cunarder ever, surpassing the RMS Scythia's record.[36]
On 20 February 2007 the QE2, while on her annual world cruise, met her running mate and successor flagship QM2 (herself on her maiden world cruise) in Sydney Harbour, Australia.[37][38][39] This was the first time two Cunard Queens had been together in Sydney since the original Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth served as troop ships in 1941.[40]
Retirement and final Cunard voyage
On 18 June 2007 it was announced by Cunard that QE2 had been purchased by the Dubai investment company Istithmar for $100 million.[41][42] Her retirement in part was forced by the oncoming June 2010 implementation of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) regulations, which would have forced large and expensive structural changes to the ship.[43]
In a ceremonial display before her retirement, the QE2 met the Queen Victoria and the Queen Mary 2 near the Statue of Liberty in New York City harbour on 13 January 2008, with a celebratory fireworks display; the QE2 and QV had made a tandem crossing of the Atlantic for the meet. This marked the first time three Cunard Queens had been present in the same location (Cunard stated this would be the last time these three particular ships would meet, due to the impending retirement of the QE2.[44] However, due to a change in the QE2's schedule, the three ships met again in Southampton on 22 April 2008).
QE2 shared the harbour at Zeebrugge with Queen Victoria on 19 July 2008, where the two Cunarders exchanged whistle blasts.[45]
On 3 October 2008, QE2 set off from Cork for Douglas Bay on her farewell tour of Ireland and Britain, before heading for Liverpool. She left Liverpool and arrived in Belfast on 4 October 2008, before moving to Greenock the next day (the ship's height with funnel makes it impossible to pass under the Erskine Bridge so Clydebank is not reachable). There she was escorted by Royal Navy destroyer HMS Manchester and visited by MV Balmoral. The farewell was viewed by large crowds and concluded with a firework display.[16][46][47] QE2 then sailed around Scotland to the Firth of Forth on 7 October 2008, where she anchored in the shadow of the Forth Bridge. The next day, following an RAF flypast, she left amidst a flotilla of small craft to head to Newcastle upon Tyne, before returning to Southampton. QE2-South Queensferry.jpg
QE2 completed her final Atlantic crossing from New York to Southampton in tandem with her successor, QM2. The two liners departed New York on 16 October and arrived in Southampton on 22 October. This marked the end of QE2's transatlantic voyages.[48]
On her final arrival into Southampton, QE2 (on 11 November 2008, with 1,700 passengers and 1,000 crew on board) ran aground in the Solent near the Southampton Water entrance at 5.26 am, on a triangular sandbank roughly equidistant between the mouth of Southampton Water and East Cowes named Bramble Bank. BBC reported "Cunard has confirmed it touched the bottom at the Brambles Turn sandbank (sandback) near Calshot, Southampton Water, with three tugs attached to her stern (0530 GMT). A fourth tug secured a line to the ship's bow."[49] Solent Coastguard stated: "Five tugs were sent out to assist her getting off the sandbank, and she was pulled off just before 6.10 am. She had been refloated and was under way under her own power and heading back to her berth in Southampton. She had only partially gone aground, and the tugs pulled her off."[50][51]
Once safely back at her berth, preparations continued for her farewell celebrations. These were led by Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh who toured the ship at great length. He visited areas of interest including the Engine Control Room. He also met with current and former crew members.[52] During this time, divers were sent down to inspect the hull for any possible damage caused by the vessel's earlier mishap – none were found.
The QE2 left Southampton Docks for the final time at 1915 GMT on 11 November 2008, to begin her farewell voyage by the name of "QE2's Final Voyage".[53] Her ownership passed to Nakheel Properties, a company of Dubai World, on 26 November.[54][55] The decommissioning of the ship was particularly poignant for the QE2's only permanent resident, Beatrice Muller, aged 89, who lived on board in retirement for fourteen years, at a cost of some £3,500 (~€4,300, ~$5,400) per month.[56]
At the time of her retirement QE2 had sailed 5.6 million miles, carried 2.5 million passengers and completed 806 transatlantic crossings.[57]
Istithmar, Nakheel, QE2 in Dubai and Cape Town hotel proposal
Her final voyage from Southampton to Dubai began on 11 November 2008, arriving on 26 November in a flotilla of 60 smaller vessels,[58] led by MY Dubai, the personal yacht of Sheikh Mohammed, ruler of Dubai,[59] in time for her official handover the following day.[60]
She was greeted with a fly-past from an Emirates Airbus A380 jet and a huge fireworks display, while thousands of people gathered at the Mina Rashid, waving the flags of the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates. Since her arrival in Dubai QE2 has remained moored at Port Rashid. Shortly after her final passengers were disembarked, she was moved forward to the cargo area of the port, to free up the passenger terminal for other cruise vessels.
She was expected to be refurbished and berthed permanently at Nakheel's Palm Jumeirah as "a luxury floating hotel, retail, museum and entertainment destination."[4] The refurbishment planned to see the QE2 transformed into a tourist destination in Dubai,[61] however due to the Global Economic Crisis QE2 has remained moored at Port Rashid awaiting a decision on her future.
QE2 remains an oceangoing vessel, and as such, Ronald Warwick (former Captain of QE2, QM2 and a retired Commodore of the Cunard Line) was initially employed by V-Ships (who have managed QE2 since Cunard handed her over) as the vessel's legal master,[62] but has subsequently been replaced by other V-Ships captains. Since 2009, she has been captained by William Cooper.[63]
It was anticipated that QE2 would be moved to the Dubai Drydocks sometime in 2009 to begin a series of far-reaching refurbishments which would result in her being converted into a floating hotel however, as of 2011 no confirmed destination for the QE2's retirement and reopening has been announced.
Due to the 2008 global recession, fears have been sparked that QE2's refurbishment and hotel conversion will not take place, and that the ship may be resold.[64][65] These rumours have since resulted in owners, Istithmar, issuing a series of press releases stating that plans for QE2's conversion are ongoing, with no intention to sell.[66][67] However, since arriving in Dubai the only visible exterior change to QE2 is the painting out of the Cunard titles from the ship's superstructure.
QE2 was joined in Mina Rashid by QM2 on Saturday, 21 March 2009 while QM2 visited Dubai as part of her 2009 World Cruise.[68] She was joined once again by the QV on Sunday, 29 March 2009 as a part of her 2009 World Cruise. QM2 and QV again visited QE2 in 2010 and on 31 March 2011 the new Queen Elizabeth (QE) called at Dubai during her maiden world cruise – photos were arranged by Cunard to capture the occasion.[69] QM2 called in Dubai 2 days after QE left.[60]
In April 2009, an alleged concept model of the post refurbished Hotel QE2 was shown for sale on an online auction website.[70] The model depicts a much altered QE2.[71]
In June 2009, the Southampton Daily Echo reported that QE2 would return to the UK[72] as an operating Cruise Ship. However, on 20 July 2009 the current owners Nakheel confirmed rumours that QE2 will reposition to Cape Town for use as a floating Hotel.
On 24 June 2009, QE2 made her first journey after nearly eight months of inactivity since the liner arrived in Dubai. She manoeuvered under her own power into the Dubai Drydocks for inspection and hull repainting before her (then planned) voyage to Cape Town's V&A Waterfront to serve there as a floating hotel for the FIFA World Cup 2010 and beyond.[73]
On 10 July 2009, it was revealed that QE2 might sail to Cape Town, South Africa, to become a floating hotel (for use primarily during the 2010 FIFA World Cup), in a Dubai World sponsored venture at the V&A Waterfront.[74][75] This was confirmed by Nakheel on 20 July 2009.[76]
In preparation for this expected voyage the ship was placed into the Dubai Dry-dock and underwent an extensive exterior refurbishment. During this refit, the ship's underwater hull was repainted and inspected.[60][72][77]
Shortly after her refit, QE2 was registered under the flag of Vanuatu, and Port Vila (her new home port) was painted on her stern, replacing Southampton.[78]
QE2 returned to Port Rashid where it was anticipated she would soon sail for Cape Town.[79] The arrival of QE2 in Cape Town was expected to create many local jobs[80] including Hotel staff, restaurant staff, chefs, cleaners and shop attendants, all being sourced from the local workforce.[81] But, in January 2010, it was confirmed she would not be moved to Cape Town.[82]
2010 sale and relocation speculation
In early 2010, due to the continued poor financial performance of Dubai World, there was much media speculation that QE2, along with other assets owned by Istithmar, Dubai World's private-equity arm, would be sold to raise capital. Despite this sale speculation, a number of alternative locations for QE2 have been cited including London, Singapore, Clydebank,[83] Japan[83] and Fremantle,[83][84] the latter showing interest in using QE2 as a hotel for the ISAF Sailing World Championships to be held in December 2011.[84] However, as at June 2010 Nakheel's official statement regarding QE2 is that "a number of options being considered for QE2".[60][83][84]
2011 drifting
On 28 January 2011 during a heavy dust storm, QE2 broke loose from her moorings and drifted out into the channel at Port Rashid. She was attended by pilots and tugs and safely returned to berth at Port Rashid. Images of QE2’s unexpected movements appeared on-line after being taken by an observer on the ship in front of QE2.[85]
Warm layup
Throughout 2011 and 2012, QE2 remained berthed at Port Mina Rashid in Dubai in 2011.[86] She was maintained in a seaworthy condition and generated her own power. Each of her nine diesel generators were turned over and used to power the ship. A live-in crew of approximately 50 people maintained QE2 to a high standard.[87] Activities include painting, maintenance, cabin checks, and overhauls of machinery. Istithmar were considering plans for QE2 which may involve the ship sailing to an alternative location under her own power.[60][86]
On 21 March 2011 QM2 called in Dubai and docked close to QE2. During the departure, the two ships sounded their horns.[60][88]
2011 return to Liverpool plan, Port Rashid and QE2 development plans
On 28 September 2011 news broke that a plan was being formulated to return QE2 to the United Kingdom by berthing her in Liverpool.[89] Liverpool has a historic connection with Cunard Line being the first British home for the line as well as housing the iconic Cunard Building.[60]
It was revealed that Liverpool Vision, the economic development company responsible for Liverpool's regeneration,[90] has been involved in confidential discussions with Out of Time Concepts, a company headed by a former Chief Engineer on the ship, who recently advised its current owners [60] on plans to turn it into a luxury hotel in Dubai.[89]
In a letter from Out of Time Concepts to Liverpool Vision it is explained that "The free global media attention derived from bringing home the QE2 will without question promote Liverpool's new waterfront developments, its amazing architecture, its maritime and world heritage sites, its museums, its culture and its history".[60][89]
On the same week that the Liverpool Vision plans were revealed, Nakheel has said that plans for QE2 to be berthed at The Palm have been dropped because they now plan to build 102 houses on the site which was once intended to be named the QE2 Precinct.[60][91][92][93]
Nakheel suggested that QE2, under the ownership of Istithmar, will remain at Port Rashid to become an integral part of the growing cruise terminal. "The QE2 will be placed in a much better location", Ali Rashid Lootah, the chairman of Nakheel, told Dubai's The National newspaper "The Government of Dubai is developing an up-to-date modern cruise terminal which will mean a better environment", confirming the ship would remain in Dubai for the foreseeable future.
2011/2012 New Year's party aboard QE2
On 31 December 2011 the QE2 was the location of a lavish New Year's Eve party in Dubai.[94] The black tie event[95] was run by Global Event Management and included over 1,000 guests.[96][97] In early 2011 Global Event Management were offering events aboard QE2 in Dubai for 2012 and 2013.[60][95]
July 2012: Hotel announcement
On 2 July 2012 in a coordinated press release, the ship's owner, operator and Port Rashid operator, DP Ports, jointly announced QE2 would re-open as a 300-bed hotel after an 18-month refit. The release claims the ship was to be refitted to restore original features, including her 1994–2008 'Heritage Trail' of classic Cunard artefacts. The ship was to be berthed alongside a redeveloped Port Rashid cruise terminal which would double as a maritime museum.[60][98]
Scrapping in China, QE2 London and QE2 Asia
On 23 December 2012, it was reported that QE2 had been sold for scrapping in China for £20 million, after a bid to return her to the UK was rejected.[99] With monthly berthing and maintenance charges of £650,000, it was reported that a Chinese salvage crew arrived at the vessel on 21 December, to replace a crew of 40 which has been maintaining the vessel since it arrived at Port Rashid.[43] However, Cunard dismissed the reports as "pure speculation".[100] When the ship was sold in 2007, a clause in the contract which started from her retirement in 2009 stipulated a 10-year "no onward sale" clause, without payment of a full purchase price default penalty.[43][60]
The "QE2 London" Plan had included a £20 million bid for QE2 and a further £40 million refurbishment that was supposed to create more than 2,000 jobs in London, with the QE2 docked near the O2 Arena. It had reportedly obtained the support of London Mayor Boris Johnson.[60][99]
On 17 January 2013, the Dubai Drydocks World announced that the QE2 would be sent to an unknown location in Asia to serve as a floating luxury hotel, shopping mall, and museum.[101] Despite this move, the QE2 London team stated on the same day that "We believe our investors can show Dubai that QE2 London is still the best proposal".[102]
"Bring QE2 Home" proposals
Cunard's 175 anniversary celebrations on 25 May 2015 led to renewed interest in the QE2. John Chillingworth secured the backing of London mayor Boris Johnson for a plan to anchor the ship opposite The O2 Arena at Greenwich.[103] A move to London however would require the ship to pass through the Thames Barrier. In late 2015 there was disagreement between ship preservation advocates and harbour authorities on whether a dead ship of her size could safely manoeuvre through the barrier.[104] John Houston suggested returning the ship to Greenock as a maritime attraction, hotel and events space.[105] Inverclyde Council leader Stephen McCabe has called on the UK and Scottish governments to campaign to buy the ship, saying that “Bringing the QE2 home is a Herculean task, one that requires national support in Scotland and perhaps across the UK, if it has any chance of happening.”[106] In January 2016 Aubrey Fawcett, the chair of the working group to regenerate the Clyde, admitted defeat in this effort as QE2's owners refused to respond to any requests regarding her condition or sale. "Consequently, we must conclude that it is highly unlikely that Scotland features in the future plans for the vessel."[5]
QE2's movements in 2015
On 12 August 2015, the QE2 was observed to have been moved from her berth within Dubai Dry Docks, where she had been since January 2013, to a more open location within Port Rashid. On 17 November 2015, QE2 was again moved within Port Rashid, to the former cruise terminal. It is not known whether these recent moves are connected with any of the publicly known plans regarding the ships fate. [107]
2016 removal of lifeboats and davits
Between May and August 2016, observers noted that the ship's lifeboats were lowered and stored on a nearby car park, and then the lifeboat davits that were installed during her 1987 refit were removed in September, thus returning the ship to her pre-1987 profile.[108][109]
50th anniversary celebration
September 2017 marks the 50th anniversary of QE2's launch.[110][111] To mark the occasion, Cunard Line, the ship's former owners, arranged a commemorative voyage aboard the MS Queen Elizabeth - a 17 night cruise.[112] Planned events include a QE2 day on 25 September and keynote speeches by Captain McNaught, Commodore Warwick, social hostess Maureen Ryan and maritime historian Chris Frame.[113] Meanwhile, in Glasgow, The QE2 Story Forum hosted a 50th anniversary conference with Captain Nick Bates as a headliner speaker.[114] Several books have been released for the anniversary including Building the Queen Elizabeth 2 by Cunard historian Michael Gallagher, and QE2: A 50th Anniversary Celebration by Chris Frame and Rachelle Cross.[115]
Design
Exterior
Like both Normandie and France, QE2 has a flared stem and clean forecastle. What was controversial at the time was that Cunard decided not to paint the funnel with the line's distinctive colour and pattern, something that had been done on all merchant vessels since the first Cunard ship, the RMS Britannia, sailed in 1840. Instead the funnel was painted white and black, with the Cunard orange-red appearing only on the inside of the wind scoop. This practice ended in 1983 when QE2 returned from service in the Falklands War, and the funnel has been painted in Cunard traditional colours (orange and black), with black horizontal bands (known as "hands") ever since. The original pencil-like funnel was rebuilt in 1986 as a more robust one, using metal from the original, when the ship was converted from steam to diesel power.
Large quantities of aluminium were used in the framing and cladding of QE2's superstructure. This decision was designed to save weight, reducing the draft of the ship and lowering the fuel consumption, but it also posed the possibility of corrosion problems that can occur with joining the dissimilar metals together, so a jointing compound was coated between the steel and aluminium surfaces to prevent this happening. The low melting point of aluminium caused concern when QE2 was serving as a troop ship during the Falklands War: some feared that if the ship were struck by a missile, as was HMS Sheffield, her upper decks would collapse quickly due to fire, thereby causing greater casualties.
In 1972, the first penthouse suites were added in an aluminium structure on Signal Deck and Sports Deck (now "Sun Deck"), behind the ship's bridge, and in 1977 this structure was expanded to include more suites with balconies, making QE2 one of the first ships to offer private terraces to passengers since Normandie in the 1930s.
QE2's balcony accommodation was expanded for the final time during QE2's 1986/87 refurbishment in Bremerhaven. During this refit the ship was given a new wider funnel built using panels from the original. It retained the traditional Cunard colours.
QE2's final structural changes included the reworking of the aft decks during the 1994 refit (following the removal of the magrodome), and the addition of an undercover area on Sun Deck during her 2005 refit, creating a space known as Funnel Bar.
Interiors
Queen Elizabeth 2's interior configuration was laid out in a horizontal fashion, similar to France, where the spaces dedicated to the two classes were spread horizontally on specific decks, in contrast to the vertical class divisions of older liners. Where QE2 differed from France was that the first class deck (Quarter Deck) was below the deck dedicated to tourist class (Upper Deck). Originally there were to be main lounges serving three classes, layered one atop the other, but when Cunard decided to make the ship a two class vessel, only two main lounges were needed. Instead of completely reconfiguring the Boat Deck, the ship's architects simply opened a well in the deck between what were to have been the second and third class lounges, creating a double height space known as the Double Room (now the Grand Lounge). This too was unconventional in that it designated a grander two-storey space for tourist class passengers, while first class passengers gathered in the standard height Queen's Room. However, the configuration for segregated Atlantic crossings gave first class passengers the theatre balcony on Boat Deck, while tourist class used the orchestra level on Upper Deck.
Over the span of her thirty-nine-year seagoing career, QE2 has had a number of interior refits and alterations.
The year she came into service, 1969, was also the year of the Apollo 11 mission, when the Concorde's prototype was unveiled, and the previous year Stanley Kubrick's film 2001: A Space Odyssey premiered. In keeping with those times, originally Cunard broke from the traditional interiors of their previous liners for QE2, especially the Art Deco style of the previous Queens. Instead modern materials like plastic laminates, aluminium and Perspex were used. Furniture was modular and abstract art was used throughout public rooms and cabins.
The Midships Lobby on Two Deck, where first class passengers boarded for transatlantic journeys and all passengers boarded for cruises, was a circular room with a sunken seating area in the centre with green leather clad banquettes, and surrounded by a chrome railing. As a kingpin to this was a flared, white, trumpet shaped, up lit column.
Another room, designed by Michael Inchbald, where QE2's advanced interior design was demonstrated was the first class lounge, the Queen's Room on Quarter Deck. This space, in colours of white and tan, featured a lowered ceiling with large indirectly lit slots, which, despite reducing the ceiling height, created an impression of airy openness above to deal with the otherwise oppressive dimensions of the single storey room (c. 30m x 30m x 2.4m). In addition the structural columns were flared at the top to blend into the ceiling and to lose the visual indication of low ceiling height that straight columns would have given. (The Midships Lobby copied these features but without achieving the airiness.) Michael Inchbald repeated the flaring of the columns in the bases of his tables and leather shell chairs. The indirect lighting from above could be switched from a cool hue for summer to a warm hue for winter.[116]
The Theatre Bar on Upper Deck featured red chairs, red drapes, a red egg crate fibreglass screen, and even a red baby grand piano. Some more traditional materials like wood veneer were used as highlights throughout the ship, especially in passenger corridors and staterooms. There was also an Observation Bar on Quarter Deck, a successor to its namesake, located in a similar location, on both previous Queens, which offered views through large windows over the ship's bow. This room was lost in QE2's 1972 refit, becoming galley space with the forward-facing windows plated over.
In the 1994 refit almost all of the remaining original decor was replaced, with Cunard opting to reverse the original design direction of QE2's designers and use the line's traditional ocean liners as inspiration. The green velvet and leather Midships Bar became the Art Deco inspired Chart Room, receiving an original, custom designed piano from Queen Mary. The (by now) blue dominated Theatre Bar was transformed into the Golden Lion Pub, which mimics a traditional Edwardian pub. Some original elements were retained including the flared columns in the Queens Room and Mid-Ships Lobby which were incorporated into the reworked designs. Unfortunately the Queen's Room's indirect lighting from above was replaced with uplighters which reversed the original light airy effect by illuminating the lowered ceiling and leaving shadows in the ceiling's slot; and the furniture and carpet which replaced Michael Inchbald's designs were incongruous next to the flared columns and slotted ceiling.
By the time of her retirement, the Synagogue was the only room that had remained unaltered since 1969.[117] However it was reported that during QE2's 22 October five night voyage, the Synagogue was carefully dismantled before being removed from the ship prior to her final sailing to Dubai.[118]
Artwork and artefacts
The Queen Elizabeth 2 holds pieces of artwork, as well as maritime artefacts drawn from Cunard's long history of operating merchant vessels.
In the Mauretania Restaurant sits Althea Wynne's sculpture of the White Horses of the Atlantic Ocean.[119] There are bronze busts of both Sir Samuel Cunard (outside the Yacht Club) and Queen Elizabeth II (in the Queen's Room). The Princess Grill holds four life-size statues of human forms representing the four elements, done by sculptor Janine Janet in marine materials like shell and coral. The Chart Room's frieze was designed by Brody Nevenshwander, and depicts the words of T. S. Eliot, Sir Francis Drake, and John Masefield. The Midships Lobby holds a solid silver model of the Queen Elizabeth 2 made by Asprey of Bond Street in 1975, which was lost until a photograph was found in 1997 that led to the discovery of the model itself, and its placement on the QE2 in 1999.
In "E" stairway hangs three custom designed tapestries, commissioned from Helena Hernmarck for the ship's launch, that depict the Queen as well as the launch of the ship. These tapestries, which were originally hung in "D" Stairway, Quarter Deck, outside the Columbia Restaurant, were damaged in 2005, as mentioned in the Service history (above). They were originally made with golden threads; however much of this was lost when they were cleaned incorrectly as part of the 1987 refit.
There are numerous photographs, oils and pastels of members of the Royal Family throughout the vessel, and silver plaques commemorating the visits of every member of the Royal Family, as well as other dignitaries like South African president Nelson Mandela.
Amongst the artefacts on board is a set of antique Japanese armour presented to the QE2 by the Governor of Kagoshima, Japan, during her 1979 world cruise, and a Wedgwood vase presented to the ship by Lord Wedgwood.
Items from previous Cunard ships include a brass relief plaque with a fish motif from the first RMS Mauretania (1906), and an Art Deco bas-relief titled Winged Horse and Clouds, by Norman Foster from RMS Queen Elizabeth. There is also a vast array of Cunard postcards, porcelain, flatware, boxes, linen, and Lines Bros Tri-ang Minic model ships. One of her key pieces is a replica of the figurehead from Cunard's first ship, RMS Britannia, carved from Quebec yellow pine by Cornish sculptor Charles Moore, and presented to the ship by Lloyd's of London. On the Upper Deck sits the silver Boston Commemorative Cup, presented to Britannia by the City of Boston in 1840. This cup was lost for decades until being found in a pawn shop in Halifax, Nova Scotia. On "2" Deck is a bronze entitled Spirit of the Atlantic which was designed by Barney Seale for the second RMS Mauretania (1938). A large wooden plaque was presented to the QE2 by First Sea Lord Sir John Fieldhouse to commemorate the ship's service as a Hired Military Transport (HMT) in the Falklands War.
There is also an extensive collection of large-scale models of Cunard ships throughout the QE2.[120]
Most of these items were sold by Cunard to Istithmar when they purchased QE2.[121]
Crew accommodation
The majority of crew were accommodated in two- or four-berth cabins, with showers and toilets at the end of each alleyway[citation needed]. These were located forward and aft on decks three to six[citation needed]. At the time she entered service, the crew areas were a significant improvement over those aboard RMS Queen Mary and RMS Queen Elizabeth; however the ship's age and the lack of renovation of the crew area during her 40 years of service, in contrast to passenger areas, which were updated periodically, meant that this accommodation was considered basic by the end of her career. Officers were accommodated in single cabins with private en-suite bathrooms located on Sun Deck.[13]
There were three crew bars, one named The Pig & Whistle.[53] ("The Pig" for short and a tradition aboard Cunard ships), Castaways and the Fo'c's'le Club. A fourth bar, dedicated for the officers is located at the forward end of Boat Deck. Named The Officers Wardroom this area enjoyed forward facing views and was often opened to passengers for cocktail parties hosted by the senior officers.[86] The crew mess was situated at the forward end of One Deck,[53] adjacent to the crew services office.
Technical aspects
After the ship was launched, the QE2 was fitted out with a steam turbine propulsion system utilising three Foster Wheeler E.S.D II boilers, which provided steam for the two Brown-Pametrada turbines. The turbines were rated with a maximum power output figure of 110,000 shaft horsepower (normally operating at 94,000 hp) and were coupled to two six-bladed fixed-pitch propellers.
The steam turbines were plagued with problems[citation needed] from the time the ship first entered service and, despite being technically advanced and fuel-efficient in 1968, her consumption of 600 tons of fuel oil every twenty four hours was more than expected for such a ship by the 1980s. After seventeen years of service the availability of spare parts was becoming difficult[citation needed] due to the outdated design of the boilers and turbines, and Cunard decided that the options were to either do nothing for the remainder of the ship's life, re-configure the existing engines, or re-engine the vessel with a more efficient diesel-electric powerplant. Ultimately it was decided to replace the engines, as it was calculated that the savings in fuel costs and maintenance would pay for themselves over four years, and give the vessel a minimum of another twenty years of service, whereas the other options would only provide short-term relief.[122] Her steam turbines had taken her to a record breaking total of 2,622,858 miles in 18 years.[123]
During the ship's 1986 to 1987 refit, the steam turbines were removed and scrapped. The engine rooms were then fitted with nine German MAN L58/64 nine-cylinder, medium-speed diesel engines, each weighing approximately 120 tons. Using a diesel-electric configuration, each engine drives a generator, each developing 10.5 MW of electrical power at 10,000 volts. This electrical plant, in addition to powering the ship's auxiliary and hotel services through transformers, drives the two main propulsion motors, one on each propeller shaft. These motors produce 44 MW each and are of synchronised salient-pole construction, nine metres in diameter and weighing more than 400 tons each. The ship's service speed of 28.5 knots (52.8 km/h) can be maintained using only seven of the diesel-electric sets. Her maximum power output with the new engine configuration running was now 130,000 hp, which is greater than the previous system's 110,000 hp. Using the same IBF-380 (Bunker C) fuel, the new configuration yielded a 35% fuel saving over the previous system. During the re-engining process, her funnel was replaced by a wider one to accommodate the exhaust pipes for the nine B&W diesel engines.
Another part of the refit the replacement of original fixed-pitch propellers with variable-pitch propellers. The old steam engines required astern turbines to move the ship backwards or stop her moving forward. The pitch of the new variable pitch blades, however, could simply be reversed, causing a reversal of propeller thrust while maintaining the same direction of propeller rotation, allowing the ship shorter stopping times and improved handling characteristics. The new propellers were originally fitted with "Grim Wheels", named after their inventor, Dr.-Ing. Otto Grim.[122] These were free-spinning propeller blades fitted behind the main propellers, with long vanes protruding from the centre hub. These were designed to recover lost propeller thrust and reduce fuel consumption by 2.5 to 3%. However, after the trial of these wheels, when the ship was drydocked, the majority of the vanes on each wheel were discovered to have broken off, and so the wheels were removed and the project abandoned.
Other machinery includes nine heat recovery boilers, coupled with two oil-fired boilers to produce steam for heating fuel, domestic water, swimming pools, laundry equipment, and galleys. Four flash evaporators and a reverse-osmosis unit desalinate sea water to produce 1000 tons of fresh water daily. There is also a sanitation system and sewage disposal plant, air conditioning plant, and an electro-hydraulic steering system.[124]
Name
Form of name
The name of the liner as it appears on the bow and stern is Queen Elizabeth 2, with upper and lower case lettering and an Arabic numeral 2 as opposed to the Roman numeral II. As such, it is commonly pronounced in speech as Queen Elizabeth Two.[125] Soon after launching, the name was shortened in common use as QE2.[126]
Background
In 1934 Queen Mary was named by and after Mary of Teck and in 1938 Queen Elizabeth was named by and after Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon,[127] who were both at the time of the naming married to the reigning monarch.[128] These two previous Cunarders both had capitalised bow names, as QUEEN ELIZABETH and QUEEN MARY.
Cunard practice at the time of naming QE2 was to re use the existing name of its former ships, for example, launching the Mauretania in 1938 after the previous Mauretania was scrapped in 1935.
The original Queen Elizabeth was still in service with Cunard when QE2 was launched in 1967, although she was retired and sold before QE2 entered revenue service with Cunard in 1969.
The addition of a 2 in this manner was unknown at the time, but it was not unknown for Roman numerals to denote ships in service with the same name. Two non Cunard ships were named Queen Mary II, a Clyde steamer, and Mauretania II, a Southampton steamer of Red Funnel, since the Cunard ships already had the names without Roman numerals.
Launch
As was Cunard practice at the time, the name of the liner was not to be publicly revealed until the launch.[129] Dignitaries were invited to the "Launch of Cunard Liner No. 736",[130] as no name had yet been painted on the bow.[131]
The Queen launched the ship with the words "I name this ship Queen Elizabeth the Second,"[132] the normal short form of address of the monarch, Elizabeth II herself. The following day, the New York Times[133] and British Times printed the name as Queen Elizabeth II, the short form of written style of the monarch. However, when the liner left the shipyard in 1968 she bore the name Queen Elizabeth 2 on her bow, and has continued to do so ever since.[134]
1969 authorised history
In an authorised history of the QE2 published in 1969,[135] various explanations of events occur.
These state that, as at the launch ceremony, an envelope and card were also held in New York in case of transmission failure, and when opened the card was found to read the name Queen Elizabeth, and that the decision to add "The Second" to the name was an alteration by the Queen. The book quotes the Cunard chairman Sir Basil Smallpeice as saying "The Queen Mary [named] after her Grandmother, the Queen Elizabeth after her mother, and now this magnificent ship after herself."
Following the unexpected addition of the Second by the Queen, the book attributes the use of upper and lower case lettering and a numeric 2 – rather than a Roman II – to the decision by Cunard to use a more modern typeface to suit the style of the 1960s. The book also surmises that the naming of the liner after the reigning monarch, in the form Queen Elizabeth II, was potentially offensive to some Scots, as the title of Queen Elizabeth II (of the United Kingdom) relates to the lineage of the throne of England (the Tudor monarch Elizabeth I having reigned only in England).
Ron Warwick, former Captain
A later account by Ronald Warwick (son of William "Bil" Warwick, first master of QE2), who was also Master of both QE2 and later the first captain of QM2, supports the account that the Queen initiated the surprise move of naming the liner after herself rather than simply Queen Elizabeth as had originally been planned (the name having been made vacant by the retirement of the current liner before the new one was commissioned).[136] The name had been given to the Queen in a sealed envelope which she didn't open. The book, referencing his autobiography, states that the Cunard chairman Sir Basil Smallpeice was delighted with this development, it being in keeping with the previous Queen liners, and the 2 was added by Cunard for differentiation of the ship while still denoting it was named after the Queen.
Cunard website
From at least 2002 the official Cunard website stated that "The new ship is not named after the Queen but is simply the second ship to bear the name – hence the use of the Arabic 2 in her name, rather than the Roman II used by the Queen",[137][138] however, in a change in 2007 this information had been removed.[139]
Other accounts
Other later accounts repeat the position that Cunard originally intended to name the ship Queen Elizabeth and the addition of a 2 by the Queen was a surprise to Cunard, in 1990[140] and 2008,[128] although two books by William H. Miller state that Queen Elizabeth 2 was the name agreed on before the launch[129] between Cunard officials and the Queen.[141]
Accounts that repeat the position that QE2 was not named after the reigning monarch have been published in 1991,[127] 1999,[142] 2004,[141] 2005,[126] and 2008.[143][144][145] In 2008, The Telegraph goes further to state the ship is named not only as the second ship named Queen Elizabeth, but is specifically named after the wife of King George VI.[146] In contradiction however, some modern accounts continue to publish that the QE2 was named after the reigning monarch, in 2001[147] and 2008.[128][148]
Post QE2 Cunard naming practice
Cunard continued the 2 suffix naming practice introduced with QE2 with the launch of the new Queen Mary 2 ocean liner in 2003, named after the previous Queen Mary.
References
- ^ Maritime Information Exchange, search for Queen Elizabeth 2
- ^ "QE2 not RMS". Retrieved 21 August 2012.
- ^ Fitch, Asa (19 January 2013). "QE II Ocean Liner Heads to Asia to Become Floating Hotel". Zawya.
- ^ a b "QE2 To Leave Cunard Fleet And Be Sold To Dubai World To Begin A New Life At The Palm". Cunard.com. 2007. Archived from the original on 6 July 2007. Retrieved 20 June 2007.
- ^ a b c Morris, Hugh (13 January 2016). "'Forlorn' QE2 is not coming home from Dubai, campaigners concede". Teleegraph Media Group. Retrieved 18 January 2016.
- ^ "Cruise liner Queen Elizabeth 2 to be converted into hotel". HT Media Limited. 3 July 2012. Archived from the original on 4 September 2015. Retrieved 29 August 2015.
{{cite news}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "New home for Queen Elizabeth 2". CNN International. 18 January 2013. Retrieved 18 January 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "QE2 History". Chris' Cunard Page. Archived from the original on 31 May 2010. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "QE2's Major 1986–1987 re-engining refit". Retrieved 5 January 2010.
- ^ Chris Frame & Rachelle Cross. The QE2 Story. The History Press, Stroud. ISBN 978-0-7524-5094-0.
- ^ a b "QE2 Facts". Chris' Cunard Page. 2010. Archived from the original on 1 June 2010. Retrieved 13 May 2010.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ QE2 Engineering and Design
- ^ a b c d e f g Frame, Chris; Cross, Rachelle (2009). The QE2 Story. UK: The History Press. ISBN 978-0-7524-5094-0.
- ^ a b "Queen Elizabeth 2: History". Members.tripod.com. Retrieved 14 July 2010.
- ^ a b c d "QE2 – History". Retrieved 7 October 2008.
- ^ a b Alf Young (5 May 2002). "High hopes for a return of the Clyde's glory days". Sunday Herald, Find Articles at BNET. Archived from the original on 4 September 2015. Retrieved 7 October 2008.
{{cite news}}
: Unknown parameter|dead-url=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Horne, George (8 May 1969). "Harbor Whistles Greet a Stately Queen Designed for the Modern Age; 150 Vessels in Harbor Greet the Queen Elizabeth 2". The New York Times. Retrieved 26 October 2011.
- ^ Schwerdtner, Nils (2008). The New Cunard Queens Queen Mary 2 Queen Victoria Queen Elizabeth 2. 47 Church Street: Seaforth Publishing. pp. 27–28. ISBN 978 1 84832 010 9.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: location (link) - ^ "QE2 HIstory". Chris' Cunard Page. Chris Frame. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 29 August 2015.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Luck, Adam (14 April 2012). "When the Queen went to war: Amazing pictures on QE2 as it sailed to the Falklands". Associated Newspapers Ltd. Retrieved 29 August 2015.
- ^ a b "''Cunard's QE2 Hosts Falklands Reunion''". Cunard. Archived from the original on 25 February 2011. Retrieved 14 July 2010.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Marine Accident Report—Grounding of the United Kingdom Passenger Vessel RMS QUEEN ELIZABETH 2 Near Cuttyhunk Island, Vineyard Sound, Massachusetts, August 7, 1992 (NTSB/MAR-93/01). National Transportation Safety Board: 25 May 1993.
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{{cite book}}
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- ^ "Christie's Online Auctions – Dubai Concept Model of Queen Elizabeth 2 – Retrieved on 30 April 2009". Christies.com. Retrieved 14 July 2010.
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- ^ a b http://www.theqe2story.com/forum/index.php/topic,686.0.html |year=2009|accessdate=13 July 2009.
- ^ "QE2 to move to Dubai Drydock". Xpress News. 23 July 2009. Retrieved 14 July 2010.
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- ^ "QE2 to be moved to South Africa". BBC News. 20 July 2009. Retrieved 10 April 2010.
- ^ http://www.theqe2story.com/forum/index.php/topic,872.0.html |year=2009|accessdate=9 September 2009.
- ^ "QE2 under the flag of Vanuatu". The Age. 2009. Retrieved 9 September 2009.
- ^ "News from Cape Town". Theqe2story.com. 23 June 2010. Retrieved 14 July 2010.
- ^ CapeTown_2010. "2010 Cape Town World Cup Twitter Page". Twitter. Archived from the original on 26 September 2009. Retrieved 14 July 2010.
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- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 October 2011. Retrieved 11 December 2009.
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ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help)CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) Cape Town Tourism responds to possible berthing of QE2 date=2009|accessdate=11 December 2009. - ^ a b c d "Freo to house QE2?". 2010. Retrieved 29 June 2010.
- ^ a b c "New hopes for two old girls". 2010. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
- ^ "QE2 mooring lines snap during Sandstorm! – Friday 28 January". Theqe2story.com. Retrieved 11 August 2016.
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- ^ a b c "A Liverpool home for historic liner QE2? Don't tell the Dubai owners". Retrieved 2 October 2011.
- ^ "Liverpool Vision Homepage". Archived from the original on 26 October 2011.
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suggested) (help) - ^ "QE2 Palm Plan Sinks".
- ^ "New Home for QE2".
- ^ Rebecca Bundhun (25 May 2010). "QE2 Palm Jumeirah plan out as Nakheel floats townhouse project instead – The National". Thenational.ae. Retrieved 10 May 2012.
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ignored (|url-status=
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ignored (|url-status=
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ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help)CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) QE2 press release 2012. - ^ a b End of an era for the QE2: Iconic cruise liner sold as scrap to Chinese for £20 m. Daily Mail, 23 December 2012. Retrieved 24 December 2012.
- ^ CUNARD status update. Cunard Facebook page, 24 December 2012.Retrieved 24 December 2012.
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ignored (|url-status=
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- ^ Explained to the author by his father, Michael Inchbald
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- ^ "QE2 Heritage Trail". Retrieved 25 May 2010.
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- ^
Neil Leitch, Glasgow University Archive Services (n.d.). "Ship number 736". Queen Elizabeth Two (QE2) 40 years on. University of Glasgow, Archive Services exhibitions. Retrieved 14 November 2008.
The name of the ship was kept a secret and as the day of the launch approached ... Queen Elizabeth stepped forward and named the ship, Queen Elizabeth the Second, being the second ship called Queen Elizabeth ... As Roman numerals are always used for monarchs, the Arabic numeral 2 is used in the ship's name to distinguish her from the monarch, and she has always been referred to as, Queen Elizabeth Two, or most often as the QE2
- ^ a b "Happy Birthday To Cunard's Longest Serving Vessel". ShipsandCruises.com. Travel-Scope.com Communications. Archived from the original on 13 August 2007.
This year on 4 September, the QE2 becomes the longest serving Cunarder ever when she passes the 36 years, four months, and two days' record of the Scythia ... She is also probably the most misnamed ship in the world. She is Queen Elizabeth 2 (not Queen Elizabeth II) indicating she is the second Cunard liner named Queen Elizabeth. ... Christened by: Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 1967 (The Queen did not name the ship after herself; and so in time the ship became known as the QE 2)
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b William H. Miller, Frank O. Braynard, In Picture History of the Cunard Line, 1840–1990, Courier Dover Publications 1991, ISBN 0-486-26550-1, OL 1886775M, p127, Google Books search (partial preview), "But it was left to Queen Elizabeth herself, who, like her grandmother in 1934 and her mother in 1938, consented to name the liner at her launching. And so, on 20 September 1967, ... Queen Elizabeth named the new Cunarder Queen Elizabeth 2, honouring the original Queen Elizabeth (not, as many had thought, the Queen herself). Evidently it had been decided to let the name Queen Mary remain with the majestic old three stacker..." . Retrieved 14 November 2008
- ^ a b c
John Honeywell (10 November 2008). "The QE2's last voyage". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 14 November 2008.
[The Duke of Edinburgh] accompanied the Queen at the launching ceremony in 1967 when she surprised everyone by naming her Queen Elizabeth 2 ... Cunard had intended to name her simply Queen Elizabeth, which was a 14–1 outsider because no British ship had until then been named after a reigning monarch. They were taken aback when Her Majesty pronounced "I name this ship Queen Elizabeth the Second."
- ^ a b
Henrik Ljungström; Daniel Othfors. "Queen Elizabeth 2, 1969 – Present Day". Ship Histories. The Great Ocean Liners. Retrieved 14 November 2008.
And like the Queen Mary, this new ship did not get a name until the day of her launch ... In the end, a decision was finally made. The new ship would be christened the Queen Elizabeth 2, to honour the previous Queen Elizabeth.
- ^ Neil Leitch, Glasgow University Archive Services (n.d.). "Tickets for the launch of Ship No. 736". Queen Elizabeth Two (QE2) 40 years on. University of Glasgow, Archive Services exhibitions. Retrieved 14 November 2008.
- ^ William H. Miller, In Picture history of the Queen Mary and the Queen Elizabeth, Courier Dover Publications 2004, ISBN 0-486-43509-1, OL 3303843M, p97, Google Books search (partial preview), Picture showing the QE2 hull being launched without a bow name, caption: (p96) "Right: The joyous launch of the Queen Elizabeth 2 on 20 September 1967". Retrieved 14 November 2008
- ^
BBC News. "On This Day, 20 September 1967: Queen Elizabeth 2 takes to the waves". Retrieved 14 November 2008.
In clear tones, she pronounced: 'I name this ship Queen Elizabeth the Second. May God bless her and all who sail in her.'
- ^
Alvin Schuster (21 September 1967). "Name of Cunarder Is a Surprise but Has Precedent; QUEEN LAUNCHES THE ELIZABETH II". New York Times. Retrieved 14 November 2008.
CLYDEBANK, Scotland, Sept. 20—Queen Elizabeth II launched Britain's newest luxury liner today and named her Queen Elizabeth II.
- ^ William H. Miller, In Picture history of the Queen Mary and the Queen Elizabeth, Courier Dover Publications 2004, ISBN 0-486-43509-1, OL 3303843M, p98, Google Books search (partial preview), Picture showing the QE2 bow wearing the name Queen Elizabeth 2 while having the bridge lowered into place, caption: (p99) "this 1968 photo, opposite, top, shows the wheelhouse and bridge sections being lifted aboard". Retrieved 14 November 2008
- ^ Potter, Neil; Jack Frost (1969). Queen Elizabeth 2: The Authorised Story. Harrap. ISBN 0-245-59444-2. OL 4616734M.
- ^ Warwick junior is currently involved with QE2 in Dubai and Cape Town on behalf of Nakheel.
Warwick, Ronald W. (1999). QE2 – The Cunard Line Flagship, Queen Elizabeth 2 (3rd ed.). W. W. Norton and Company. ISBN 0-393-04772-5. OL 7451640M.
There was no question what Sir Basil and the Cunard board desired. The name was discussed with Lord Adeane, the queen's private secretary, and it was decided simply to ask that the new ship be named Queen Elizabeth, because by the time of her commissioning, both of the earlier Queens would be withdrawn from service and she could assume the name vacated by one of her predecessors ... Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II moved to the front of the launching platform and was handed an envelope by John Rannie with the name of the ship inside. This was a tradition because many years before someone purportedly had forgotten the name of a ship about to be launched. The envelope remained unopened as the queen stepped forward and uttered the words, "I name this ship the Queen Elizabeth the Second. May God Bless her and all who sail in her" ... Sir Basil Smallpeice was overjoyed at the sovereign's alteration of the name. (paragraph reference his autobiography ISBN 0-906393-10-8) He could not have been more delighted with having the third of the great royal Cunarders named in this manner. The decision promptly was made to style the giant liner Queen Elizabeth 2 using the numeral two to differentiate the ship from the sovereign.
- ^
"The First 30 Years". Queen Elizabeth II Ship Facts. Cunard Official Website, www.cunard.com. Archived from the original on 16 June 2002. Retrieved 14 November 2008.
1967: Launched by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in the presence of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh and HRH Princess Margaret. The new ship is not named after the Queen but is simply the second ship to bear the name – hence the use of the Arabic 2 in her name, rather than the Roman II used by the Queen
- ^
"The First 30 Years". Queen Elizabeth II. Cunard Official Website, www.cunard.com. Archived from the original on 20 October 2006. Retrieved 14 November 2008.
1967: Launched by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in the presence of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh and HRH Princess Margaret. The new ship is not named after the Queen but is simply the second ship to bear the name – hence the use of the Arabic 2 in her name, rather than the Roman II used by the Queen
- ^
"Sail into History". Queen Elizabeth II History. Cunard Official Website, www.cunard.com. Archived from the original on 11 March 2007. Retrieved 14 November 2008.
20 September 1967: Launched by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
- ^
"QE2 ... The most famous ship in the world". Cruise Ships. Seaview Network Ltd. Retrieved 14 November 2008.
It is almost 41 years since the Queen launched job number 736 at John Brown's on the Clyde and on impulse, attached the number 2 to the name of the Queen Elizabeth, much to the surprise of Cunard.
- ^ a b William H. Miller, In Picture history of the Queen Mary and the Queen Elizabeth, Courier Dover Publications 2004, ISBN 0-486-43509-1, OL 3303843M, p99, Google Books search (partial preview), "Queen Elizabeth II had agreed to do the naming at the ship's launch on 20 September 1967 and, in discussion with Cunard officials, agreed on Queen Elizabeth 2. The new ship was named after the previous liner, not the current queen" . Retrieved 14 November 2008
- ^
BBC (14 April 1999). "QE2 – 30 years of cruising". BBC News. Retrieved 14 November 2008.
QE2 Facts: Contrary to popular belief, the vessel is not named after Queen Elizabeth II, but is the second ship to be named Queen Elizabeth – hence the use of the Arabic figure 2 rather than the Roman II.
- ^
BBC (2 June 2008). "Coronation farewell to QE2 liner". BBC News. Retrieved 14 November 2008.
Although named QE2, the ship was not named after the present Queen but rather the "2" shows that it denoted the fact the liner was the second ship named Queen Elizabeth.
- ^
Chris Frame and Rachelle Cross (August 2008). "QE2: A Photographic Journey". Book. The History Press. ISBN 978-0-7524-4803-9.
Cunard agreed to name ship Queen Elizabeth after the elder Cunard Liner.
- ^
Alan Hamilton (2 June 2008). "QE2: Queen bids farewell to a sovereign of the seas". The Times. London. Retrieved 14 November 2008.
There is one common misconception about the QE2 – that she is named after the Queen. In fact, she is simply the second Cunarder of that name: the ship takes the Arabic 2, the Queen the Roman II.
- ^
Jolyon Attwooll (12 November 2008). "Fifty fascinating QE2 facts". The Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 14 November 2008.
Fact 10: The QE2 was not named after the current Queen but rather after the wife of King George VI. This explains the convention of using the actual number – i.e. Queen Elizabeth 2 – rather than the Roman numerals of Queen Elizabeth II.
- ^ Matt Richardson, In The Royal Book of Lists, Dundurn Press, 2001, ISBN 0-88882-238-3, OL 8211792M, p70-71, Google Books search (partial preview), During the twentieth century the Cunard Shipping Line launched three famous luxury liners, each named for a different English Queen, 1. The Queen Mary, 2. The Queen Elizabeth, 3. The Queen Elizabeth 2. Retrieved 14 November 2008
- ^
Tristan Stewart-Robertson (6 October 2008). "QE2 delights home crowd as she pays final visit". The Scotsman. Edinburgh: Johnston Press. Retrieved 14 November 2008.
Jordan Beckett, seven, from Greenock, said: "It's quite big and I think there's a lot of passengers. I wish I could build a boat like that someday. It's important because it's named after the Queen."
External links
QE2 history websites
- Sam Warwick's QE2 Homepage - Since 1996
- QE2 Homepage at Chris' Cunard Page
- QE2 Forum where much Dubai news is officially released
- The Great Ocean Liners | QE2 Pages
- The QE2's major 1986–1987 re-engineering
- Archive of QE2 Articles
- BBC Hampshire – QE2 One Year On