Pics of my QE2 memorabilia

[Beardy Rich]

Here are some of my keepsakes from the 1980s. My prizes possession is the P.O.'s Club pint pot. The payslips are interesting... my gross pay was around £1100/month way back in 1987. Wonder what that would equate to today
Then there's a letter from John Chillingworth thanking everyone for their hard work during his time as Chief Engineer... a nice gesture I think. Finally there's a copy of my Seamans Card and Discharge Book with Flying Home Fund membership card, QE2 Safety Certificate and Medical Records, N.U.S book.

[Rob Lightbody]

Here are some of my keepsakes from the 1980s.

Fascinating stuff Rich, thanks!

Amazing paragraph in John's letter saying that if the October 86 crew had been on board in 82 ,the re-enginging might have been "different".  I presume he means that they'd have been able to keep the steam plant running in better order than it had been.  Interesting stuff!  However, with the benefit of hindsight, and had she not been re-engined, she would have had a MUCH shorter service life, and I would certainly never have had the chance to sail on her as an adult.

[Blue Bombay]

Great collection.

Louis

[Beardy Rich]

Here are some more pics for you. I've also posted some pics under the 'Last steam crossing' thread.

Pride of place is my limited edition medal commemorating QE2s last steam crossing, the others were fairly commonplace I believe. These were struck by the Tower Mint in London and are solid nickel silver. The plates are nice but I don't have them on display, they're kept in a box with my other Cunard bits & bobs.
Also is a menu cover commemorating the Royal Wedding of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson.
Finally, something every crew member loved receiving... post from loved ones at home.
Anyone with any complaints about the steam plant being ripped out can now send to the address shown 


Rich Drayson.

[Blue Bombay]

Hi Rich,
  Can i invite you to for a tour in my photo album about my time onboard.The album is still being build up.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ex-crewmember/sets/

Louis

[Beardy Rich]

Thanks Louis, you have some great photos there. I wish I'd taken more when I was onboard
There are some more pics that I can post on here but they're on photographic paper. I'll have to get them scanned sometime.

[skilly56]

Louis,

That reflections shot is brilliant.

The foghorn on the foc'sle shot reminded me of an incident last July in the Med.

The foghorn failed - I was amazed at the sudden army of fitters that appeared, climbed the horn pedestal and roped themselves on in a complete circle around the horn. It was removed, taken below, fixed and back in place in a couple of hours flat! (was very peaceful without it though).

Liked the Milford Sounds photos too - QE2 looks far more impressive than the little naval launches I went through there in.

Cheers

Skilly

[Bob C.]

I wanted to add this deck of cards from 1969 to the collection.  I have more memorabilia at my dad's house in Maryland but it is under 3 ft (1m) of snow right now...

[skilly56]

Rich, I've just had a good look at your memorabilia above, and it can very satisfying for you to to sit back years later and say "Those were the days!"

I know people who never take photos, don't accept momentos ("Naw, I don't want one of those!") and consequently, they will have nothing to sit down with later in life that will prompt a recall of a situation they may have been in, or a certain event that may have been involved in or may happened to them.

I have two rather large seats on my deck out by the barbeque - they are pistons from the No2 main engine on the first ship I sailed as C/E on. They are both a bit cracked (some would say, like their owner!) but, having had them powder coated, they still promote much comment, and are actually quite comfortable to sit on/in. The 2 valve cutouts on the crown circumference are a comfy shape to receive the thighs, and they are so bloody solid they are never going to tip over. A couple of people have survived kicking them, without any idea what they are until their toe gets bent. They are from a Bellis and Morcombe diesel (made in England between the 18??'s & 1950's), and still have a lot of sitting left in them! The engines were actually designed as steam engines, then reconfigured to operate as diesels, with BBC turbochargers fitted as an afterthought. When on top notch, oil would squirt out every crack and orifice on the 3 main engines, and the motormen had to continually lubricate the rocker gear by hand, then wash down the entablatures every watch to clean up the mess.

By the way, I am still quietly working away on the ER photos for you in my quiet moments - easier to do them when at sea - helps pass the time. Having just taken about 2,500 photos in San Francisco, the Caribbean, Miami & Hawaii, I do still have a few from those locations to sort through as well (SWMBO wants the electronic photo frame loaded Yesterday please!.

Cheers
Skilly  

[Beardy Rich]

Hi Tony, thanks for your kind comments. As you say, it is very satisfying to look back at momentos, even more so now that the QE2 is in her retirement.
My real regret is that I didn't take more photos whilst I was onboard, though I look forward to seeing those which you have said you'd put on a disc for me. Thanks for taking the time to do them.

I'm not at all familiar with Bells & Morcombe diesel engines but lubricating the rocker gear by hand!!! I've never heard of doing that before. I cannot imaging how messy a job that was 

Regards, Rich

[Beardy Rich]

Here are some more pics...

[Beardy Rich]

And another...