Help us celebrate QE2's 45th Birthday!

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

Posted by Rob yesterday and lost during the Forum's downtime :

Forty-five years ago on 20 September 1967 Queen Elizabeth II launched the QE2 at John Brown’s Clydebank.  During her time in service QE2 sailed 6 million miles and became the most famous ship in the world.

Many books have been written about her and many stories have been told by passengers and crew not to mention those of her many admirers.

Join us in celebrating QE2’s 45th Anniversary by writing a message to celebrate the event.  Perhaps you were at the launch or onboard ship at previous anniversary celebrations.  Or perhaps she made an important event in your life special. 

Post your message and let the many people who read the Forum, and the whole world, know why she is special to you.  These messages, like all of those on the forum, will be preserved indefinitely online.

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

Why QE2 is special to me? Much of it is already here :

https://www.theqe2story.com/Stories/Isabelle.html

QE2 came to determine a whole decade of my life -- which was at the same time the final decade of QE2's life as a Cunard ship.

A home from home... a familiar place and a familiar lifestyle, whether this was in Norway, in Singapore, in New York or in Canada. A happy place, with a friendly crew, with enjoyable routines, with new learning and new places to visit, and always with the sea and the sky, the hum of her engines, the mystery of her strength and power, and the beautiful spaces to live in.

Three times, I saw her sail away without being on board myself -- a beautiful ship, a powerful whistle, and my mind full of images of life on board.

She was unique, and I doubt that I shall ever love a ship as much as her again.

[Rob Lightbody]

I can't believe its FIVE years since I had possibly my most momentous QE2 moment.  Sailing alongside her, ridiculously close, on the top-heavy and heeling over Balmoral, at top speed, and watching QE2 pick up speed on the Clyde 40 years to the day since she was launched into it.  I will never, ever forget that.  Fortunately I videos it to remind myself!!

[Lynda Bradford]

A ship that sailed 6 million miles!  A ship that raised a million smiles!
Mighty engines at her heart she claimed my love right from the start.
……….From Sleeping Beauty by Lynda Bradford [/i]

When I first stood on QE2’s decks just days after she was launched in 1967, I knew that she was special and from that moment she did claim my heart. 

It was a dream come true to sail onboard the ship and I came to love her even more as I experienced the high standard of service onboard the ship.  But it was not just the service that made her special.  Every time I stepped onboard the ship there was a warm comforting feeling that made me feel secure.  I met many wonderful people each time I sailed on her and I still enjoy meeting QE2 enthusiast onboard the new Cunard ships who are eager to tell their story, particularly when they see my QE2 Story badge. 

Tomorrow (20 September) I will raise a glass to toast QE2 and remember 45years ago when I first saw her and fell in love with her.  But I will also toast the designers, shipbuilders and crew who have all contributed to her existence. 

Happy 45th Anniversary QE2!

[Alistair]

::Happy 45th Anniversay QE2::

45 years ago today I arranged to go round to my friend's house as we could see the mustard coloured superstructure of Q4 from his bedroom window looming above the red-bricked buildings that were the Singer Sewing Machine factory.
We watched the launch ceremony on TV downstairs and as soon as Her Majesty hit the button and the bottle of wine smashed against the bow we scrambled upstairs to see the newly named QE2 start her journey into the Clyde.
Nothing happened.
We scampered back down stairs to see what was going on just in time to see one of the John Brown managers try to push her in a futile attempt to get her moving. Then at last we could see movement! So slow at first but definitely in the right direction. We headed back up stairs and this time were rewarded with the site of this mustard coloured mass pick up speed and head down the slip way. Soon the superstructure had disappeared behind the factory buildings so we hurried back down to watch the rest of the events on television.

5 years ago, and after BBC Scotland had aired The Last Great Liner to commemorate QE2s 40th anniversary and her pending arrival at Greenock I decided to re-engage with our beautiful ship.
I hadn't seen her since watching her sail into the gloom as she left John Brown's shipyard that dull damp morning in November 1968.  If I remember correctly, September 20th 2007 was a cold wet day. I was suffering from man flu so was of course I was dying! Something kept me going so I drove down to Greenock that evening and was rewarded with the awesome sight of QE2, who's bow was pointing up-stream towards Clydebank, slowly slide sideways out into the river and then get pushed round to face downstream by her attending tugs. Her voice boomed out. I had never heard it before. I was smitten. What struck me was how long she was and how elegant looking after all those years. She sailed away. I had to find out more about her history and luckily enough found the forum and the rest, as they say, is history!

Unfortunately I can't be in Dubai this weekend or I would go and take some anniversary pictures. I have had to surrender my passport while my resident's visa is being transferred. 

45 years ago today the legend that is QE2 began. Long may it continue.

Alistair

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

Wonderful story, Alistair! Amazing to hear from someone who was actually there at the launch -- the atmosphere, the excitement, and the moment when she refused to budge.

The fact that you watched from an upstairs bedroom, and again from the TV, makes for amazing memories. I could imagine a novel starting with this beautifully written scene! Thank you for having taken the time to let us all read and enjoy your memories.

[cunardqueen]

QE2..Heres to your Sapphire Anniversary
The memories never dim, The experiences are never forgotten
Quite simply you are the best ship ever afloat
 & Your missed more than you know xx

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

Message received from Barrie Evans :

Happy 45th birthday to our beloved Q E 2 .
 
When i first saw the Q E 2 sail past Colwell Bay on the Isle of wight, when we were on holiday, i was totally amazed at her beauty . I said to myself, one day i am going to take a cruise with her.  It was only a dream at the time , and as we had two young children, financially it was out of the question.
 
But as i have said before, "Dreams can come true!" Our dreams came true in 2004, 2006, and 2008. 


 
To have had the honour and the privilege to sail with the Q E 2  on three occasions will stay in our memories for ever. 
 
We will never forget when we first stepped on board , and hearing  the words "Welcome aboard the Q E 2" made us feel very special indeed.
 
Thank you Q E 2 for all our cruises with you, and for all the new friends we have made .
 
Happy Birthday Q E 2 and many happy returns of the day to you.
 
Barrie & Jean Evans

[Marque UK]

I can't believe its FIVE years since I had possibly my most momentous QE2 moment.  Sailing alongside her, ridiculously close, on the top-heavy and heeling over Balmoral, at top speed, and watching QE2 pick up speed on the Clyde 40 years to the day since she was launched into it.  I will never, ever forget that.  Fortunately I videos it to remind myself!!

Hi Rob, thanks for the memories. We were watching you on the Balmoral. I couldn't believe how quick she was moving for an old lady either. You kept bobbing by when we were having a pre-drill drink in the pub, and we watched you from the deck all the way out to sea. I will have to post my opposing video!

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

Hi Rob, thanks for the memories. We were watching you on the Balmoral. I couldn't believe how quick she was moving for an old lady either. You kept bobbing by when we were having a pre-drill drink in the pub, and we watched you from the deck all the way out to sea. I will have to post my opposing video!

Thank you for those memories from on board QE2. I am so looking forward to your "opposing" video!

I was not on Balmoral that year, but a year later, with Rob and company. We had a wonderful time escorting QE2... and a happy-sad time when she finally disappeared out of sight... if she had to go, this was the best way to watch her go...   

[Lynda Bradford]

The Clydebank Post joined in the celebrations of the 45th anniversary of the launch of QE2 with their article "QE2 the Pride of the Clyde, celebrates 45 years". I was more than delighted when Maxine McCreadie, reporter from the Clydebank Post contacted me to ask about my memories of the launch.  She was also interested to hear about my involvement with the QE2 Story Forum and the information that has been contributed by members. 

Thank-you to the Clydebank Post Editor who has kindly agreed to us posting a copy of the article!

Click >here< to open a large copy of the image

[cunardqueen]

Superb feature Lynda, well done indeed and some lovely photos !

[Barrie Evans]

I would like to thank the Clydebank Post for their article of the Q E 2 celebrating her 45th birthday. Maxine McCreadie from the Clydebank Press interveiwed  lynda Bradford from our Q E 2 forum. Lynda gave a very informative and intresting report of when the Q E 2 was launched by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth 2nd, from the historic John Brown's shipyard, and that her father Arthur Firth was a managing forman on the site. 

Barrie Evans

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

Well done, Lynda. That is a lovely article, complete with some great memories of QE2.

So glad that the Clydebank Post decided to use the occasion of her 45th anniversary to publish a major article on QE2 and what she means to the people of Clydebank and beyond.

[Alistair]

I was begining to waonder what had happened to any publicity about the 45th anniversary. The Clydebank Post website has nothing about it any time I looked so I was delighted to see the article.
Well done Lynda. Great pictures and a really good article. It is good to see that the Clydebank Post is keeping the legend alive in her home town.

Alistair