Cunard Q4/QE2 Press Releases 1967/68

[Lynda Bradford]

I have a copy of the Cunard Press Release dated 4 April 1967 which was written to herald the launch of their new liner known as the Q4.  I have had this document since 1967 and to me it is just precious.  The original document was typed on a manual typewriter (in an age before computers) and there are even some typing errors evident but this is what makes it so special.  I have scanned this as a text document then saved as a pdf so that I can share the content with forum members. 

At the time when the press release was issued the name of the ship was not known and it could not have been foreseen how famous she would become. She was still sitting on the stocks, towering above the town of Clydebank, waiting for her life to begin. 

Not only does the document contain a lot of facts that are familiar to us now but also contains statements that we can recognise as being true today.   For instance, in the section “Q4 is not a gimmick ship” it is stated that “The Q4 is a ship entirely without gimmicks. Gimmicks date, but good design doesn't and this ship is designed to keep 'new' for her working life with the minimum of alteration” In 1967 it could never have been imaged how true these word would be and how over forty years later members of a QE2 forum would enthuse over the design of the most famous ship in the world who became a legend in her time. 


There are 25 pages in the document under the following headings:

Evolution of Q4: The most efficient ship
Q4 is not a gimmick ship
Q4 the unique ship
Technically speaking
Highest Safety Standards
Functional Funnel
Cars and Baggage
Dan Wallace
Tom Kameen
James Gardner
Builders of Great Cunarders

Statistical Comparisons (posted separately to reduce size of pdf)

I hope you enjoy reading this document as much as I do.

[pete cain]

Dear Lynda, thankyou so much for sharing these(historic) documents with us, I've got to admit I've downloaded them & going to print off  you cannot beat a bit of paper to read, you are so lucky ,enjoy your heritage , regards pete cain...

[highlander0108]

Thanks for sharing Lynda.  How true that "gimmick" statement is.  Unfortunately, I do not think that rings true for the new QE design.

[Alistair]

Just came across this topic and of course had to read the document.
Fascinating!

Thanks for sharing it with us Lynda

[Stowaway2k]

Related... letter from Cunard to "Cunarders" introducing the new QE2

[Lynda Bradford]

Thanks for sharing this letter Stowaway which shows how Cunard wanted QE2 to be perceived in 1968.  I had the opportunity to see around the ship in 1968 prior to her maiden voyage and she was a throoughly modern lady so anyone who had booked the maiden voyage in response to this letter would not have been disappointed.   

[Rob Lightbody]

Yes, thank you very much!  I love the "Lively London at Sea" - fantastic!

[Twynkle]

Thank you both - Lynda and Kyle
What good reading - a real treat!

[Youngesteverpassenger]

Safety Comes First in QE2 - Cunard Press Release 19 Sept 1968

Lisa

[Youngesteverpassenger]

Officially not for release before 00.05 hours on April 5 1967.

I have not listed pages and pages but if anyone is interested I'd be happy to post or email copies of original releases at this time that covered:

EVOLUTION OF Q4: THE MOST EFFICIENT SHIP
Q4: THE UNIQUE SHIP
Q4 IS NOT A GIMMICK SHIP
TECHNICALLY SPEAKING...
THE SAFEST SHIP AFLOAT
FUNCTIONAL FUNNEL
CARS AND BAGGAGE
BUILDERS OF GREAT CUNARDERS
DAN WALLACE - Cunard Naval Architect
TOM KAMEEN - Technical director, Cunard Line
JAMES GARDNER - Joint design co-ordinator

All the releases are 1 or 2 pages directly from: Cunard Public Relations, 15 Lower Regent Street, London SW1. Telephone Whitehall 7890. After 5.30pm, Whitehall 1984

[Lynda Bradford]

The transcript of the Press Release can be found as an attachment on this topic:

https://www.theqe2story.com/forum/index.php/topic,2118.0.html

[Leovinus]

A delightful read, and one that makes me wonder. How successful was Cunard in anticipating future changes in regulations without a major rework? Did she go until her heart transplant? I imagine that Cunard and regulatory bodies such as Lloyds worked closely, but there is always that unforeseen development; such as the balcony fire on MS Star Princess in 2006.

[Rod]

In the plan room, on sports deck, there were copies of EVERY singe press release up until launching. I read every one. Many, many hours of fascinating reading.