Britannia Figurehead Artist: Cornish sculptor Charles Moore
Carved in Quebec yellow pine it measures six-foot high by two foot six inches and weighs over 300 pounds.
"It was specially-commissioned and presented by Lloyds as a gift to the ship and the picture below shows the Chairman of Lloyds, Ralph Hiscox OBE, presenting it to Lord Mancroft, Deputy Chairman of Cunard on 17 October 1968."
Source: and Photo Michael Gallagher
The statue was initially placed in the Britannia Restaurant on Upper Deck where she complimented the theme of the restaurant. Bob C shared a photo showing the figurehead in this restaurant. You can see the intricate design on her gown and her spear.
"The years did take it out of the figurehead and by 2000 her left arm and spear was missing. Artist Abigail Wright (a student of the original sculptor Charles Moore) took it upon herself in late 200l and during 2002 to have Britannia restored in her workshop on HMS Belfast in London. The figurehead was re-unveiled by Captain Warwick on HMS Belfast prior to being returned to QE2 in November 2002". Source Michael Gallagher
Britannia has survived and can be seen on the ship in Dubai, in the Chart Room Bar.
"A" Stairway Art: Taking a walk down "A" Stairway, people on the Heritage Trail tour were introduced to the artwork original to the ship that was displayed on the stairway from Deck Four up to Boat Deck
Isabelle Prondzynski, when she was onboard QE2 in 2008, knew that this would be the last opportunity to take a photographic record of the artwork. "I must admit that I walked up and down that stairway many a time before looking at that artwork properly. Knowing that September 2008 would be my last chance, had the effect of concentrating my mind wonderfully."
Of particular interest is Glass Panels: ‘The Sea’ (1959) by John Piper. Seven panels originally located on the outside of the Midships Bar from 1969 until 1994 when the artwork was located to the "A" Stairway.
This artwork is currently on display at the QE2 Reception exhibition in Dubai, but below you can see the photo Isabelle captured when these were displayed on QE2's "A" Stairway.
Photo: Isabelle Prondzynski
SS Russia: A model of the steamship Russia was displayed on "A stair landing" near to the Queen Grill entrance. The ship was built for Cunard Line by J&G Thomson of Glasgow. The Thomson shipyard was bought by John Brown & Co, a company that went on to build many famous Cunard ships in Clydebank. SS Russia was launched in March 1867 and her maiden voyage was in June of that year.
Radio Room:A heritage photo on display in the radio room compared the latest communication technology with the pioneering equipment used for a television transmission to. liner.
Heritage Trail (contd.)
The Galleries:
"A" Stairway art is just one of the Stairway Galleries of artwork onboard QE2. Also displaying works of art were:
"D" Stairway (Boat Deck)
The Royal Paintings: Two magnificent portraits, both nearly three metres high, of HM The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh by Edward Halliday, and of HM Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother by Oswald Birley which were originally commissioned for the Caronia and Queen Elizabeth respectively.
"E" Stairway from Upper Deck, down to Two deck, twenty-eight Cunard Line posters, with themes based on the early 20th century ships were displayed. In Dubai there is a display of poster art, in the QE2 reception area, which are possibly the posters that were on display on Stairway "E"
Photo: Lynda Bradford
"G" Stairway displayed the Marine painting of Cunard ships past and present, including prints of the marine artist, Stephen Card's paintings.
You can learn more on the Artwork on QE2 topic Did you know there was an original Picasso painting onboard? - or do you know the artwork budget allocated to the ship in 1968?
The Heritage Trail was designed to reflect the history and heritage of the Cunard Line. In the five newsletters, June to October, we have gone on a journey of discovery remembering the wonderful treasures onboard QE2.
The themes and exhibits show ship models, flags, paintings, charts, photographs and collections either donated or on loan to be displayed on QE2.
Commissioned Work
Cunard commission artwork over the years that added to passenger enjoyment, became an integral part of the interior and created treasures onboard QE2.
Four Elements: I am not sure if the Four Elements by Janine Janetwas part of the Heritage Trail but I could not complete our tour without mentioning these iconic statues made from shells, coral, mother of pearl collected from all over the world and I would encourage you to read more in The Four Elementstopic.
Photo: Rob Lightbody
The 1994 Project Lifestyle refit resulted in Commissioned Decorative Works, which were produced to grace the ship's refurbished interiors. I have mentioned some of these before, such as Giancarlo Impiglia and Peter Sutton's Murals, the Brody Neuenschwander Calligraphic frieze and the Veronique Bour backdrop to the Mauretania model. But also included was artworks for the refurbished Caronia Restaurant (later the Mauretania Restaurant). These included a painting of the Caronia, by Stephen Card that hung near the "Maitre d's" desk and a two metre model of the Caronia with original builders plate.
The White Horses Sculpture by Althea Wynneis a weighty, ‘energetic’ 3-metre sculpture, supposedly alluding to the breakers of the North Atlantic that was created as a centre piece in the restaurant. In the image below you can see in the background, the mural by Jane Human, on the new bulkhead placed in front of the A Stairway entrance.
Photo: Lynda Bradford
Thanks for joining me on the Virtual Heritage Trail, which I hope you have enjoyed
Heritage Trail Index
AHeritage Trail Index has been created on the QE2 Artwork and Heritage board to list the heritage items identified in the newsletters June to October. Links to the relevant forum topic have been added, where I hope you will add your comments and photos.
Brian Price Photo Treasures
Brian Price, QE2 Cruise Director tells the story of how Terry Conroy, a previous Cruise Director had deposited a box of slides on his desk, saying ‘These might be some use. They’re just taking up space in my desk!’ It was not until Brian had a quiet moment on a westbound crossing that he had the opportunity to look at the slides and realised they were a unique visual record of the build of QE2. The pictures had been commissioned by Upper Clyde Shipbuilders (previously John Brown’s Shipyard), and this was a set that had been passed on to Cunard Southampton, and then on to Brian. He took time to research each slide, then went on to present the slides in lecture format on QE2 and later to groups interested in maritime history.
We were delighted when Brian contacted us to offer to share with forum members, some of the slides and background information.
Photo: Brian Price
Have a look at the QE2 slides preserved and researched by Brian Pricetopic to see images that Brian has shared so far and add your comments on these fantastic pieces of QE2's build history. If you have had or get the opportunity to attend any of Brian's lectures please post on the forum.
Each year the QE2 Story produce a Calendar using winning photos from the Photo competition.
Following up suggestions received, we decided to have more full-page pictures and to spread the available photos over the two calendars. Some photos appear in both, and more photos appear in just the one or the other. There are no months when the two calendars show the same picture.
Why not order both calendars - you know it makes sense!
You will find full details on the Calendar topicwith a link to the printer's website.
As in previous years, the calendars are printed to order by Lulu and sent directly to your address. From time to time discount codes are available and we will keep you informed of these on the forum Calendar topic.
We have been contacted by a couple, who had bought the framed print from an online charity auction. However, as they no longer want it they are offering it to be sold for forum funds.
On the back of the frame is the date 2003 and the stateroom number 11080 so it is thought that this has come off QM2 following a refit.
The dimensions are: 105cm by 45cm (41 inches x 17 inches) - rather a large, heavy item so consideration would need to be given to the cost of carriage, which would be the responsibility of the purchaser. Or if you live in the Glasgow, West of Scotland area you could arrange to uplift the print.
If anyone is interested in purchasing the frame print they can do so by giving a donation to forum funds. The purchaser would be responsible for organising and paying for carriage.
Please initially contact admin@theqe2story.com if you would like to purchase the print by donating to the forum.
October Photo Competition
"View of, from or on the bridge" is the theme for the October Photo competition. The photos can be taken from land, from another ship, from on board QE2 or even from her Bridge itself, so lots of opportunities of entering a winning photo.
Photo: Cunardqueen
There is a special prize this month a GBP 25 voucher for the Brixham Steam Packet Company, donated by June Ingram .
Have a look at the instructionsand upload your three best photos that fit this month's theme. Forum members love seeing the pictures and you will be supporting The QE2 Story and maybe even win a prize.
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With a record 74 photos entered for the September competition "QE2 in Port" for this month only, we have increased the number of votes so as to give more photos a chance of winning.
I know the competitors will appreciate you taking time to view these excellent photos. The winner will be awarded the prize "QE2 the Cunard Line Flagship" donated by Commodorre Warwick and Sam Warwick.
CONGRATULATIONS: Isabelle Prondzynski and Thomas Hypher were joint winners in the August competition with two excellent "Green" photos. Hamburger's photo was a runner up.
Although this is not a QE2 Story Event, a few of our members have booked "free" tickets to attend. If you are interested in booking tickets download the poster on the forum topic, where you will see the eventbrite website address to register for tickets.
Also, if you have booked tickets, please let us know on the forum topic, so that we can look out for you to say hello. Hoping to see QE2 Story badges being worn, showing our commitment to "Keeping the Legend Alive"
A selection of events, listed in the timeline that happened to QE2 in the month of October. See the timeline for full list.
4 October 1968: Mast lowered into place, Clydebank, Scotland
4 October 1992: Damaged caused by running aground Martha's vinyard in August is finally repaired.
5 October 1994: Diverts 120 miles to answer distress call.
10 October 2008: Departs for final ever Westbound Transatlantic in tandem with QM2
16 October 2008:QE2 makes her 710th and final call to New York. She departs on her 806th and final ever transatlantic crossing and bids farewell to America, her second home since her maiden call in New York in 1969.
QE2 crosses in tandem with Queen Mary 2. Her final transatlantic crossings sell out in a matter of a few hours over a year before.
20 October 1986: Departs new York for final time as a steamship.
24 October 2003: A Concorde, due to be taken out of service, passes over QE2 in mid-Atlantic. The ship's master, Captain Heath, sends a message: "From one British icon to another. We are sorry to see you go."
27 October 1974:QE2 crashes into the pier at Cherbourg and a dock worker loses both legs when a line snaps.
27 October 1986: Arrives Bremerhaven for 6 month re-engining refit
27 October 2008: Departs for final cruise (return voyage)
29 October 1970: Medical assistance provided to "Cerinthus" in mid-Atlantic
The QE2 Story team 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 atadmin@theqe2story.com if you have any suggestions for future articles or improvements you would like to suggest.
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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.
