Can you believe that on 11 November it will be 10 years since QE2 left Southampton for Dubai! It was a few months following her departure that Rob Lightbody set up the forum, which holds so many memories from QE2 passengers and admirers, about her service life.
On her final season, she was an international icon with a 40 year history, admired by people from all walks of life and whenever she was in port, thousands of people turned out to say goodbye.
Photo: Fraser Ballantyne
The Inverclyde News recently ran an article remembering the reception QE2 received in 2008, when she sailed into the port of Greenock, for the last time. She was accompanied to and from the port by a flotilla of vessels including the Royal Navy frigate, HMS Manchester. When it was time to say goodbye, a magnificent firework display heralded the end of QE2’s visit to the Clydeside port, not far from Clydebank, where she was born.
In the topic QE2's final call to New York Michael Gallagher wrote: "When RMS Queen Elizabeth left New York for the final time on Wednesday 30 October 1968 who would have thought that 40 years later – in October 2008 – another Cunard Queen would be coming to the end of her sea life and ending her association with New York as QE2 did on 16 October 2008." QE2 called at New York 710 times and on her final departure on 16 October 2008 she led Queen Mary 2 out of port, for her final farewell, at the start of her tandem crossing with QM2.
Photo: Michael Gallagher collection
View the topic to see lots of photos that have never previously been seen.
....... but it gets even better when you watch Thomas Hypher’s video of the final sail away from NYC - lots of whistle blowing!
Isabelle Prondzynski posted the photo of the QE2 letterbox and said when onboard ship, she had thought it was there because QE2 was a Royal Mail Ship (RMS).
We've had lots of discussion on the "Not RMS" topic as to why the QE2 was never a RMS ship, which you may like to read.
But Isabelle's recent post, led us to wondering where the mail box, from the reign of George VI (1936 to 1952) had come from? Was it from another Cunard ship?
Do you know the background to the QE2’s mail box, which we are told is still on the ship in Dubai?
Many QE2 passengers, who sailed on the ship in her latter years, could have been unaware of the changes made to the dining arrangements on the ship, over the years.
We are fortunate on The QE2 Story to have information shared that gives us the story of the Britannia Grill, with archive pictures.
Take time to search your pictures albums and upload your three best photos before 31 October, following these easy instructions.
The prize this month is a copy of the poster "Cunard Line the most famous ocean liners in the World, donated by the artist, Marc-Antoine Bombail, or the winner can choose a jigsaw specially made from a competition photo of your choice.
Voting for the September competition: There is still time to vote in the poll for the September competition "QE2 with other iconic liners/ships" We would appreciate your input of choosing your three favourite photos and voting before the poll closes on 1 November.
I was absolutely delighted that my photo "Looking up at a future Queen" taken at John Brown's shipyard in 1967, was joint winner with Harev's picture "Cleaning and painting funnel while docked in Auckland, New Zealand" a photo that captured the crew suspended from ropes to clean the funnel. Photo competition results topic.
A big thank-you to everyone who supports the photo competition, and for keeping the memory of QE2 alive.
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Thank-you for your continued support for the QE2 Story Forum. We know how special the ship is to everyone onboard the forum and we appreciate the contributions that are made to keep her memory alive.
