QE2 on the Clyde 1994, 2007 & 2008

[Clydebuilt1971]

I dug out some photos "wot I took" of the old girl on the Clyde over the years and thought I would share some with you.

1st up some taken from August 1994. I was out on a mate's rib and we got close enough to almost touch her hull but we had an injection of sense and backed off!!!

The sailing ship was apparently chartered by Scottish Power.

[Clydebuilt1971]

2007 next and QE2's visit to Greenock as part of her 40th anniversary round UK cruise. Weather wasnt too great but as always Clydesiders turned out in force. I was on mv Balmoral - who operates in support of Waverley. Balmoral turned out to be the ideal escort vessel and we were the only ship who kept up with QE2 down river to just off Toward Point where the liner discharged her pilot and "floored it!"

The Calmac ferry is mv Saturn (1977) who had a full house that day as well but she didnt have the speed to keep up with the world's fastest liner as she began to put way on heading down the firth.

The atmosphere was great with much exchanging of horns and whistles - QE2 even starting a bit of a competition to see who would have the last "honk"!

[Clydebuilt1971]

And finally - the sad one.
In glorius sunshine QE2 returned to the river of her birth for the final time - escorted by the usual flotilla of small craft and also Type 42 Destroyer HMS Manchester.

Our escort vessel was once again mv Balmoral.


Gav

[Clydebuilt1971]

Still on the Clyde but ashore!

This pic shows the patterns for part of QE2's original Pametrada turbine casings. These are on show at the Scottish Maritime Museum at Irvine, Ayrshire, Scotland.

The turbines you can see to the right of shot are from Clyde steamer King George V (as far as I can remember)

Gav

[Clydebuilt1971]

Another one from 2007 by Tom Carreyette.

This was taken from Balmoral and demonstrates
(1) How close were allowed to get to QE2 that day.
(2) The extent of Balmoral's port list as everyone crowds to one side to get a good view!!!

Gav

[Rob Lightbody]

This pic shows the patterns for part of QE2's original Pametrada turbine casings. These are on show at the Scottish Maritime Museum at Irvine, Ayrshire, Scotland.

Has this mould made it temporarily to the Clydebuilt museum - or is it a different but identical one? 

See the photo on this post of mine - http://www.theqe2story.com/forum/index.php/topic,712.msg12193.html#msg12193

[Rob Lightbody]

Also taken from the wonderful Balmoral:-

My photos of QE2 in 2007

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lightbody/sets/72157607800832549/

My photos of QE2 in 2008

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lightbody/sets/72157602100953447/

My videos of 2007 and 2008 are at www.youtube.com/roblightbody but here's one to start with.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1rWwFlmLVo" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1rWwFlmLVo</a>

[Rob Lightbody]

I'll also add a link to this topic that shows Waverley & QE2 together in 1990

http://www.theqe2story.com/forum/index.php/topic,179.0.html

[Clydebuilt1971]

Think you might be right about the turbine casings Rob.

Gav

[highlander0108]

And finally - the sad one.
In glorius sunshine QE2 returned to the river of her birth for the final time - escorted by the usual flotilla of small craft and also Type 42 Destroyer HMS Manchester.

Our escort vessel was once again mv Balmoral.


Gav

I was on deck, looking down at the small boat off the port bow in the first picture and was amazed on how close they were to the ship.  There is no way that would have been allowed in the states.  You definitely had the better view on that memorable day. 

[Twynkle]

Wonderful, wonderful photographs, Gav, Rob and Ken
Thank you all so much for posting.
Feeling very sad - we do need her back - here, and at home.

[Rob Lightbody]

There's an absolutely awesome photo of QE2 in Greenock moments before her final departure, under the fireworks here

http://www.ahevents.co.uk/photocategory.php?cat=38

Its the site of the company that did the fireworks.

[Rob Lightbody]

There are AWESOME photos of her final visit, in 2008, here

http://www.river-clyde.org.uk/queen_2_last_visit.html

and more from her other visits here - http://www.river-clyde.org.uk/queen_2.html

[Cunarder Man]

A couple of gems!

[Twynkle]

These are  so very good!
There was never the opportunity for us to see QE2 sailing towards us
It's only now that I realise just what a fantastic experience it must have been.
Thank you for sharing such wonderful days on The Clyde with us!

[Alex_H2010]

Wonderful photos everyone.  I saw the QE2 on the clyde in october 2008.  It was such a special day. 
There was a real air of sadness that she was going.  But also a real air of celebration and pride in the QE2. 

I managed to get a couple of pics.

[flagship]

I suggested to Captain McNaught that he should make a visit to the Esplanade to see the effort the town had made so off me, him and his wife went. Within minutes he was being mobbed (in a nce way) so the Police had to intervene and they had a locaked gate opened for us so we could nip back to the ship quickly!

[Alex_H2010]

I suggested to Captain McNaught that he should make a visit to the Esplanade to see the effort the town had made so off me, him and his wife went. Within minutes he was being mobbed (in a nce way) so the Police had to intervene and they had a locaked gate opened for us so we could nip back to the ship quickly!

Oh! I think I have a photo of that,  I didn't realize it was Captain Mcnaught at the time.   

Alex 
 

[flagship]

That was us (I'm to the right with back to camera) waiting for the gate to be opened for us!!

[Alex_H2010]

That was us (I'm to the right with back to camera) waiting for the gate to be opened for us!!

Ah I see

We were all very jealous indeed.  Hope you had a great time onboard

Alex 

[highlander0108]

Wonderful photos everyone.  I saw the QE2 on the clyde in october 2008.  It was such a special day. 
There was a real air of sadness that she was going.  But also a real air of celebration and pride in the QE2. 

I managed to get a couple of pics.

Hi Alex.  Thanks for posting the pics.  I would like to feature your last photo if I could in my blog of the same name.
http://qe2-prideoftheclyde.blogspot.com/  Let me know.  I missed seeing that or I definitely would have gotten a pic or two.

There was a bit of finality in the air, knowing the ship was leaving her birthplace for the final time.  Given the recent news, I am trying to stay positive that she someone returns for good!

Ken

[Alex_H2010]

Hi Alex.  Thanks for posting the pics.  I would like to feature your last photo if I could in my blog of the same name.
http://qe2-prideoftheclyde.blogspot.com/  Let me know.  I missed seeing that or I definitely would have gotten a pic or two.

There was a bit of finality in the air, knowing the ship was leaving her birthplace for the final time.  Given the recent news, I am trying to stay positive that she someone returns for good!

Ken

Yes of course 

Also could I just say how wonderful the title picture of the QE2 in your blog is.  It's a great display of her beautiful profile.

I to would love to see her return,  It would be so great to see her on the Clyde again.  But I would be happy just having her back in the UK.

Alex

[Twynkle]

See Post 707 on this page of the link.
http://forum.irishmilitaryonline.com/showthread.php?p=221888

[Clydebuilt1971]

Just found an excellent shot of QE2 being assisted by clyde tug Flying Phantom during her 2007 birthday visit.

Unfortunately 2007 ended in tragedy for the Phantom when she sank just across the river from QE2's building berth in thick fog on the night of 19th December with the loss of 3 of her 4 crew including her skipper Stevie Humphreys whom Shelagh & I both knew. The tug was assisting the bulker Red Jasmine at the time and the MAIB investigation concluded that she was girted by her tow. This brought it home just how dangerous a job towage is. Every year on 19th Dec I take a walk down to the James Watt Dock in Greenock where the tugs berth and take a few moments to remember Phantom and her crew.

Anyway  - sorry for the apparent doom and gloom! Flying Phantom was a favourite of mine being what I would describe as a tug that still looked like a tug rather than a dalek. She was also the last clyde tug to be built in a clyde yard (Ferguson Shipbuilders, Port Glasgow 1981) for Clyde Shipping Co Ltd.

This shot is a good action shot as Flying Phantom takes the strain on QE2's bow line as the liner prepares to be turned to leave the river. Up until 2007 Flying Phantom had assisted QE2 each time she returned home - a real tragedy that the tug and her crew never got to say goodbye to the old girl.

Image Copyright http://www.inverclydeimages.co.uk/Gallery.htm

[Cruise_Princess]

How tragic....thanks for the posting and the pic is great too...and yes she DOES look like a tug!!   Of course she would  as everything built on the Clyde was perfect!!

[Twynkle]

Just found an excellent shot of QE2 being assisted by clyde tug Flying Phantom during her 2007 birthday visit.

Unfortunately 2007 ended in tragedy for the Phantom when she sank just across the river from QE2's building berth in thick fog on the night of 19th December with the loss of 3 of her 4 crew including her skipper Stevie Humphreys whom Shelagh & I both knew. The tug was assisting the bulker Red Jasmine at the time and the MAIB investigation concluded that she was girted by her tow. This brought it home just how dangerous a job towage is. Every year on 19th Dec I take a walk down to the James Watt Dock in Greenock where the tugs berth and take a few moments to remember Phantom and her crew.

Anyway  - sorry for the apparent doom and gloom! Flying Phantom was a favourite of mine being what I would describe as a tug that still looked like a tug rather than a dalek. She was also the last clyde tug to be built in a clyde yard (Ferguson Shipbuilders, Port Glasgow 1981) for Clyde Shipping Co Ltd.

This shot is a good action shot as Flying Phantom takes the strain on QE2's bow line as the liner prepares to be turned to leave the river. Up until 2007 Flying Phantom had assisted QE2 each time she returned home - a real tragedy that the tug and her crew never got to say goodbye to the old girl.

Image Copyright http://www.inverclydeimages.co.uk/Gallery.htm

Hello Clydebuilt1971,
Her crew would surely have appreciated being remembered here, they must have worked hard for QE2.   
It's a great photo of Flying Phantom 'taking the strain', her leaning without listing is impressive.
There's more about tugs here, as well:
http://www.theqe2story.com/forum/index.php/topic,614.0.html
Rosie.