Author Topic: Cunard Q4/QE2 Press Releases 1967/68  (Read 8575 times)

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Online Lynda Bradford

Cunard Q4/QE2 Press Releases 1967/68
« on: Jun 28, 2010, 11:22 AM »
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.
« Last Edit: Jun 06, 2018, 11:54 AM by Lynda Bradford »
I was proud to be involved with planning QE2's 50 year conference in September 2017 in Clydebank
www.qe2event.com

Offline pete cain

Re: Cunard's Q4 Press Release April 1967
« Reply #1 on: Jun 28, 2010, 07:57 PM »
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...

Offline highlander0108

Re: Cunard's Q4 Press Release April 1967
« Reply #2 on: Jun 28, 2010, 10:35 PM »
Thanks for sharing Lynda.  How true that "gimmick" statement is.  Unfortunately, I do not think that rings true for the new QE design.
"There will never be another one like her" QE2's last Master Ian McNaught
My Blog:  http://qe2-prideoftheclyde.blogspot.com/

Offline Alistair

Re: Cunard's Q4 Press Release April 1967
« Reply #3 on: Aug 04, 2010, 01:29 PM »
Just came across this topic and of course had to read the document.
Fascinating!

Thanks for sharing it with us Lynda

Offline Stowaway2k

Re: Cunard's Q4 Press Release April 1967
« Reply #4 on: Aug 05, 2010, 05:23 PM »
Related... letter from Cunard to "Cunarders" introducing the new QE2


Online Lynda Bradford

Re: Cunard's Q4 Press Release April 1967
« Reply #5 on: Aug 05, 2010, 10:29 PM »
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.   
I was proud to be involved with planning QE2's 50 year conference in September 2017 in Clydebank
www.qe2event.com

Online Rob Lightbody

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Re: Cunard's Q4 Press Release April 1967
« Reply #6 on: Aug 21, 2010, 05:46 PM »
Yes, thank you very much!  I love the "Lively London at Sea" - fantastic!
Passionate about QE2's service life for 40 years and creator of this website.  I have worked in IT for 28 years and created my personal QE2 website in 1994.

Offline Twynkle

Re: Cunard's Q4 Press Release April 1967
« Reply #7 on: Aug 21, 2010, 07:08 PM »
Thank you both - Lynda and Kyle
What good reading - a real treat!

Youngesteverpassenger

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Cunard Press Release 19 Sept 1968 - Safety Comes First in QE2
« Reply #8 on: Jan 01, 2012, 11:48 AM »
Safety Comes First in QE2 - Cunard Press Release 19 Sept 1968

Lisa
« Last Edit: Feb 12, 2018, 08:52 AM by Lynda Bradford »

Youngesteverpassenger

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Cunard Q4/QE2 Press Releases 1967/68
« Reply #9 on: Apr 04, 2012, 07:15 PM »
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
« Last Edit: Feb 12, 2018, 08:53 AM by Lynda Bradford »

Online Lynda Bradford

Re: Cunard Q4/QE2 Press Releases 1967/68
« Reply #10 on: Apr 04, 2012, 07:49 PM »
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
« Last Edit: Feb 12, 2018, 08:54 AM by Lynda Bradford »
I was proud to be involved with planning QE2's 50 year conference in September 2017 in Clydebank
www.qe2event.com

Leovinus

  • Guest
Re: Cunard Press Release 19 Sept 1968 Safety Comes First in QE2
« Reply #11 on: Apr 19, 2012, 10:20 AM »
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.
« Last Edit: Feb 12, 2018, 08:54 AM by Lynda Bradford »

Offline Rod

Re: Cunard's Q4/QE2 Press Releases 1967/68
« Reply #12 on: Sep 04, 2012, 10:08 PM »
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.
« Last Edit: Feb 12, 2018, 08:55 AM by Lynda Bradford »

 

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