QE2's Mast

[Twynkle]

QE2's fine mast is unique.
Potter and Frost confirm that as well as fulfilling it's function externally as a mast,
it also carries exhaust from the galleys beneath.
Does anyone know any other reasons for its design and shape?
Like the rest of her superstructure, it was made in aluminium.
There are lots of images - hopefully there will be plenty here soon!

http://www.maplib.net/map.php?id=5826
Click on one of the three markers on the bow of the Sports deck!
This came via:  http://rmsqueenelizabeth2.com

[ancoaster78]

Hey Twynkle, yes indeed it is one very fine mast!

In order to carry those galley fumes, it needed to be chunkier in section than the average mast, so its shape was designed to be as streamlined as possible, and equally importantly, to balance with the design of the funnel, if you look at the original funnel, and the mast, you will see many shared ideas. Naturally both were wind tunnel tested as part of this process to determine the best performance.

One of the reasons QE2 looked as good as it did compared to most other ships, was that an Industrial Designer was employed to oversee the overall look fo the ship, to style is as it were. Haveing a designer in this role made sure the work of all the different designers working on that various sections were coordinated perfectly to give such a 'right' look!

Looking forward to seeing everyones photos and thoughts on the mast here!

Cheers 

[Peter Mugridge]

Well, I was going to save this picture for later, but it's certainly on topic here and shows the design very nicely...

[flagship]

Note from the Forum Administrator - this text below may not be used outwith this forum without permission.

The Mast

James Gardner was responsible for the design of both the funnel and the mast and the latter was the last part of the ship to actually leave the drawing board – in fact the final design was not agreed until three weeks before the launch. Gardner created a mast design was just as equally as remarkable as the funnel – both masterpieces of imaginative and elegant modern design.

Garner’s original design for Q3’s mast combined the foremast and forward funnel in a tapering white stack. Q4’s engine room would be located two thirds aft with the galley forward meaning that an exhaust was required to vent heat and cooking odours. So Gardner reworked the Q3 proposal into a remarkably bold and sculptural mast, which leaned slightly forward to reinforce the dynamic form of the wheelhouse, immediately below.

While the mast was not needed as such, this one structure served so many purposes, each of which was the concern of many different specialists. In all, 15 models were designed before the final choice was made. It was established early on that the mast would not need a Crow’s Nest built in.

Poised at the top was a satellite navigation aerial when the ship was first built. Originally there were 8 different aerials; two 11-foot radar scanners; two navigation lights, a ‘Christmas tree’ of code lamps, in two groups; two whistles, one operated by compressed air and one by electricity; two light detectors which controlled the lighting in the main restaurant; two loud hailers; signal and courtesy flag halyards; and a Bosun’s chair and a way up inside for maintenance.

All these were mounted on a mast that was not really a mast, but a duct, designed to carry used air up from the kitchens.

The shape and mass of this structure was important to the ship as a whole for it balanced the rather high funnel, relating to it as a foresail related to the mainsail of a yacht.

Cunard: “The two white masses – the funnel and the mast – are the key elements which give the ship her scale and dignity”.

Next to the funnel the mast was the highest part of the ship, being 169 feet 1 inch above the waterline when the draft was 31 feet 0 inch (200 feet 1 inch above the keel). The height of mast was reduced by five feet when the satellite receiver for the satellite navigation system was removed.

The mast was lifted on board QE2 as a single structure on 4 October 1968.

A 1980s addition to the mast was the closed-circuit television camera directed toward the funnel to enable the engineer officer on watch in the main control room to monitor the discharge from the funnel.

[ancoaster78]

James Gardner, thats the one, his name slipped my mind before and didn't have time when posting to go look it up, thanks.

He certainly was inspired with both mast and funnel on QE2, they really do balance perfectly, as you say, just like the sails of a yacht. Genius.

I wonder what happened to the models of different mast (and funnel) designs? Have seen pictures in the books of them being studied, but where are they now?!

[Twynkle]

Hello Andytoo,

Thank you and Flagship for your posts.
There's more in VADS - Issue 1969

'....the mast, which leans forward slightly to disguise the fact that it is approximately the same height as the funnel, and the terraced lido decks at the stern, which terminate in strong curves to complete the sweeping lines of the ship fore to aft....

...Both the bridge and mast, right, were raked forward to enhance the lines of the ship and this treatment has also helped to mask the mast's height...'

Read on...there's a very interesting description and explanation for the choice of the colours of her paintwork on her superstructure!
http://vads.ahds.ac.uk/diad/article.php?title=244&year=1969&article=d.244.36(P 36, I think!)
Rosie

(With apologies -  as you may well know lots more about this this already!)

[jdl]

Thanks for adding the detail on what at first glance/the man in the street  would think simply to be a purely basic functional designed peice of the ship.

The reality, as you have illustrated is most different, it reminds me of vitorian engineering - things were designed to look good and show what could be done rather than just being functional.  A good example of this we can all see in the UK is drainpipes - next time you are out have a look at the drainpipes on an old building, they are a work of art, much better than the crappy plastic stuff or hidden designs we now have.

jdl

[Cruisemarsh]

A very unique and wonderful looking mast which went very well with her streamlined appearance.

[foreshore]

Another little known but very clever fact about the mast is that slats were built in to the lower sides as another way of making it work most efficiently:

The slots were designed to channel and concentrate airflow at the base to assist in forcing air upwards as it went past the mast. This was more relevant for QE2s layout as built, as the open well for 1st class was directly behind the mast & it was preferred to reduce the chance of Galley fumes falling straight down into the deckspace – especially on those awkward occasions when something got burnt! However, once again, it was designed to be inconspicuous within the all important overall profile

Captured perfectly by Isabelle amongst her fantastic collection of QE2 photos
http://www.flickr.com/photos/prondis_in_kenya/3050134365/

So many hidden design details! I wonder how many newer ships have as many clever features built into their designs…?

[Rob Lightbody]

There's another good shot here, I think?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/prondis_in_kenya/3051070844/in/set-72157608999766831/

And you can also see (off topic!) original black plastic handrails, as originally fitted to all areas of outside railings.

[Twynkle]

This one is very good too! - Thank You, Isabelle.
Can't help thinking about the Crew members - up and down the ladder of the hand/footholds
Wonder whether it was ever essential for them to go up there in high winds?


http://www.flickr.com/photos/prondis_in_kenya/3051058670/in/set-72157608999766831/

[Rob Lightbody]

Surely they can put most flags etc. up the mast without actually going up the mast?  I'm guessing the ladders are only used occasionally for maintenance but am happy to be corrected!  There are steps inside too, isn't there?

[foreshore]

There's another good shot here, I think?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/prondis_in_kenya/3051070844/in/set-72157608999766831/

And you can also see (off topic!) original black plastic handrails, as originally fitted to all areas of outside railings.

Absolutely - Isabelle couldn't have got any closer without being blown through to test the theory if they'd have been at sea!

Thought the same in regard to the handrails

[Imonlygoingforone]

Surely they can put most flags etc. up the mast without actually going up the mast?  I'm guessing the ladders are only used occasionally for maintenance but am happy to be corrected!  There are steps inside too, isn't there?

It wasn't required to go up the mast, as you said, the ladders are only for maintenance. The halyards were accessed by going through the barn aft of the Bridge, through a tiny doorway and popping out between the mast and the 2 suites in a small 'pit' type area.

[Cunardqueen]

When l managed a visit up to that area l was surprised at just how big the mast is.



And the door thats leads out to the mast area ..

[bswan]

a very distinctive mast for a distinctive lady of the seas.

[Bob C.]

The mast was apparently assembled in at least three main pieces.  This photo (http://www.gla.ac.uk/services/archives/exhibitions/qe2/qe2photogallery6/theshippingmastisswungintoplace/) at the Glasgow University QE2 archives shows the mast, less the top piece, being hoisted into position.  Absent is the lower radar mount and the black base but in the pictures posted so far, I can't find a seem, welded or bolted,  where the upper mast connects to the base.

Anyone have any photos that shows this?

[Bob C.]

Found this picture last night as I was uploading the 1977 International Fleet Review photos.  Great shot of the mast flying a lot of laundry!

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

The mast was apparently assembled in at least three main pieces.  This photo (http://www.gla.ac.uk/services/archives/exhibitions/qe2/qe2photogallery6/theshippingmastisswungintoplace/) at the Glasgow University QE2 archives shows the mast, less the top piece, being hoisted into position.  Absent is the lower radar mount and the black base but in the pictures posted so far, I can't find a seem, welded or bolted,  where the upper mast connects to the base.

Anyone have any photos that show this?

How about this one?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/prondis_in_kenya/3050134365/



in combination with this one (showing where the black paint ends and the white begins) :

http://www.flickr.com/photos/prondis_in_kenya/3051058670/



and this one, with Pia, to show the height of the black painted area :

http://www.flickr.com/photos/prondis_in_kenya/3051028896/



If you follow the link at the bottom, you get to Pia's picture, which is another beauty :

http://www.flickr.com/photos/piasosua/2935419553/