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April 2020
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Ahoy from the QE2 Story
I
n this month's packed newsletter :

 
 
Enjoy!

Rob's World is Rocked

(in the nicest possible way)
 

Nine years ago Rob's World was Rocked when Rob Lightbody was invited to have exclusive access onboard QE2, in April 2011.  

Some of you may remember way back in 2011 when Rob teased us by posting "Guess where I am just now"

Photo: Rob Lightbody

Read about this amazing experience on Rob Lightbody on board QE2 in Dubai 24 to 26 April 2011

QE2 punch out model book 1969

 

Photo: John Little
Cunarder Man gave us an insight into his 1969 cut out model book at one of our weekly chat sessions.  He then followed this up, by scanning the book and posting on the forum, for us all to see this unusual piece of QE2 memorabilia.  I wonder how many of these books have survived? If you have one of these books, post on the topic and tell your story.  Did you buy it on the ship, on an online auction?  We would love to hear from you!
 

Crew News

 
The forum has dedicated topic board areas for QE2 crew and workers, where there is a fantastic collection of stories, photos and memories.  But we would love to read more of your memories! Please have a look at the crew topics on the forum and add your memories.

Specific crew topic boards include:
 
Photo: John Hobley FinstR

Each month I will post Crew News with links to topics where you have posted your memories.  Here are some of the posts for April:

The Wardroom - On HM The Queen’s birthday, Graham Taylor remembers her visit for the 150th Anniversary in 1990.  
Crew members from the 1980’s - Patchandler  responds to Barbara London-Marsden’s post asking if anyone remembers Philip Robson
QE2 and QM2 together in New York for the first time - Andy Holloway posts memories and photos

If you are a QE2 Crew member and would like to write a short article for the newsletter Crew News section, please send me a Message or contact me at admin@theqe2story.com 
 

In Memoriam

The deaths of QE2 Crew, Forum Members, Passengers and enthusiasts has been reported in various posts within topics.  In response to suggestions to have a dedicated  "In Memoriam" section to honour those who have passed, the list has been compiled with links to the topic where the death was first reported. If you want to post a tribute to a forum member or crew member who has passed away you can start or add to a topic and moderators will pick this up an add the information to the "In Memoriam" topic  list.  

In addition, the forum profile lists of QE2 Masters/Captains, Chief Engineers and Design Team have been amended to show dates of death, where this information is available. 

Poetry about ships and the sea


Isabelle Prondzynski started this topic with a poignant poem that reminder her of QE2's final voyage.  She is  inviting forum members to post poetry about ships and the sea.

What is your favourite poem about ships and the sea?

Photo: Louis-Philippe Capelle

What a lovely idea to have a topic where we can share poems and enjoy reading those that have been posted.  

Did you know?:

How much of the World's caviar was consumed onboard QE2 in the 1980's?
How many QE2 Transatlantic crossings?
Cunard was thought to be the single biggest user of Concorde
When QE2 was given the name a "Landing Platform Luxury Liner" LPLL?
Foster Wheeler esd2 boilers were the largest ever built - they spanned 13 decks

Read more questions and answers in the Did you know? topic

....while self isolating

 
Why not have a look at this video Chris Frame posted "A nostalgic video tour of QE2"  It is sure to brighten your day while self isolating!
 


Olivia posted "Atlantic Queens" an amazing film documentary, of QE2 in the Summer of 1979. The documentary also shows footage of the older Atlantic Queens and features an interview with William Farmer, Chief Engineer, talking about the original Queen Elizabeth's Maiden voyage.  
 

QE2 Photo Topics


The "QE2 slides preserved and research by Brian Price"  and the slides Rob Lightbody saved on behalf of the forum last year "Unseen" slides of QE2 being built and fitted out, on trials and early years"  are interesting, not only because they show QE2 at the build stage, but because they show the faces of John Brown's Shipyard workers.  

Recently members have asked, if the local Clydebank paper would be willing to publish these photos to see if anyone recognises the men.  I have sent relevant photos from both these collections to the head reporter, who was very interested in doing an article and hopes to be able to include this in next week's paper.  Keep watching the topics to see more of these photos and for news on whether the workers are identified.  
 

Photo Competition


The competition album is open and ready for your three entries to the April photo competition "QE2 Upper Deck". The prize for this month's winner is the Isle of Man special set of stamps depicting the Queen Victoria or a jigsaw of the winning photo.  There are some interesting entries so far, but we would like to see more.  If you could have a look at your QE2 photos and add your three best pictures that fit the theme, we would appreciate your support.  Extended deadline for entries is 2 May 2020. 

VOTE: Have you voted for your three favourite photos for the March competition "Famous Faces on the most famous ship afloat"  Some excellent photos for you to view and enjoy, before selecting the 3 best photos you think fits the theme,  but hurry you only have until 2 May 2020 to vote.

The February competition on "Works of Art on board QE2" led to the extraordinary result of three winners : Cunarder Man's "Mauretania" and "Mauretania restaurant art" and Frazscot's "Stair from One Deck". Well deserved congratulations to both! Congratulation also to Thomas Hypher the runner up with his photo, Lido Midnight Buffet Sculpture

Have a look at the winning photos in Photo Competition results: 2021 Calendar topic.   

A big thank-you to everyone who supports the photo competition, and for keeping the memory of QE2 alive. 

QE2's April Timeline


QE2 Events, listed in the timeline that happened in the month of April.  

See the timeline for full month by month list.  

 3 April 1974: Passengers transferred to Sea Venture after boiler trouble near Bermuda  
 3 April 1998: Carnival purchases Cunard Line
14 April 1973: First of two Israeli charters
14 April 1997: The Late Commodorre Marr's ashes are committed to the deep by Captain Hasel.
14 April 1999: 30 years of service celebration lunch on board
16 April 1972: QE2 encounters an Atlantic storm with winds in excess of 100 mph and waves 50 ft in height that caused her to lie hove for 21 hrs 30 mins
18 April 1969: Delivered to Cunard
19 April 2004: QE2 leaves Southampton for final time as Cunard's flagship
19 April 2005: Crew go on a rampage after a crew party for the end of the world cruise
22 April 1969: Mini Maiden Voyage / enters commercial service
22 April 1970: First mediterranean cruise leaves southampton
22 April 1984: Easter Egg Hunt - girl wins QE2 cruise!
22 April 2008: 3 'Queens' together in Southampton, after QE2's dry-docking is cancelled.
23 April 1972: Arrives 36 hours late in Southampton after one of the worst recorded Atlantic storms
23 April 2006: QE2 & QM2 together in Southampton.  New flagship QM2 plays "You're Beautiful" song by James Blunt to the former flagship as QE2 sails past her.
25 April 1987: "The New QE2" is delivered back to Cunard after successfull re-engining.  She makes 33 knots on trials.
25 April 2001: QE2 rescues an injured fisherman while travelling towards Madeira.
25 April 2004: QE2 berths alongside QM2 in New York for the first and last time  The media go wild.
25-29 April 1982: The City of Philadelphia charters QE2 for celebrations in connection with the 300th anniversary of the city. QE2 remains in Delaware Bay on her maiden call for four days.
28 April 1969: Maiden call at Lisbon, Portugal
29 April 1987: Maiden Voyage of QE2 following new engines refit
29 April 1987: Diana Princess of Wales comes board QE2 off Cowes to join 400 schoolchildren who had embarked in Southampton. A fly-past by the Concorde and RAF Harrier jets salute QE2.
 

Forum News

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We send out this monthly newsletter to forum members, plus people who have subscribed directly through Mailchimp.  We hope you enjoy reading it and we would love to hear from you at admin@theqe2story.com if you have any suggestions for future articles or improvements you would like to suggest.
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.

Best Wishes

Lynda Bradford and the QE2 Story Team
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