QE2 - The Flagship

[Twynkle]

It would be interesting to know the formalities of how, as well as when and where this status was bestowed
and then how when and where did she need to relinquish it.
Does the flagship have a special flag?

Also when she was saluted and returned salutes 'then' and
what might the difference be now?
For example - when QM2 'appeared' - did QE2 use the same salute as would be expected towards the flagship?
Or was this simply a 'fleet-mately' greeting?
Maybe there's something of a Dowager (or widow, even?) business about the salutations - as there could have been, say with HRH Queen Mary?

[flagship]

Flagship status is normally given to the newest and largest fleet member so it was inevitable that QM2 would be made the flagship. (While newer ships did join the Cunard fleet inbetween QE2 and QM2 none of them were of the same status as QE2 and none of them were designed or ordered by Cunard so none of them were made flagship). QM2 entered service in Januray 2004 but we made her wait until April 2004 (when she had completed her first westbound and eastbound North Atlantic crossings) before we bestowed flagship status and we symbolised this with the transfer of the Boston Cup. QE2 is the longest serving Cunard flagship ever.

Previous flagships have been:

Lusitania (1907)
Mauretania (1907 - 1921)
Berengaria (1921 - 1936)
Queen Mary (1936 - 1946)
Queen Elizabeth (1946 - 1968)
QE2 (1969 - 2004)
QM2 (2004 -      )

The whistle salutes do not differ whether the ship is flagship or not and no special flag is flown. One day the Boston Cup will transfer to the next Cunard flagship. The number os whistles sounded etc is generally down to the Captain and noone liked using the whistle more than Ian McNaught!

[flagship]

Apologies... in message above Aquitania was made flagship in 1914 and remained so until Berengaria in 1921.

[Twynkle]

Thank you - that's interesting!
In the Royal Navy, I think the Admirals (still?) have their own flags flown on the ship they command - not necessarily the biggest, newest etc
Do you know whether any of the Commodores of Cunard's fleet have their own flags?

[flagship]

No they don't Rosie. The only time the flag differed at the stern was when the Capatin was an RNR.

[holynougat]

Infact the current Commodore does fly his own flag, which is a Cunard House Flag in the shape of a burgee (a normal Cunard flag with a triangle cut out of the end with gold edging) - this can be seen flown from the stemjack and the main mast while he is onboard.

In terms of salutes between ships in the same company, you would expect the junior captain / ship to 'dip' the ensign to the more senior first as a mark of respect, but a merchant ship would always 'dip' first to an RN ship. (flag procedures are a mine field)

I never worked on the QE2 with a Commodore so I can't say if she ever flew a flag like this, but as has been said she did fly the Blue Ensign with an RNR Captain on board.