QE2 Repairs 27 to 31 October 1974

[Lynda Bradford]

The QE2 Story would like to thank Michael Gallagher for giving his permission to extract information from information he had compiled on refits and allowing us to make this information available on the QE2 Story Forum.

Source: Michael Gallagher, Cunard PR Manager and Historian
Timescale: 4 Days
Date: 27 – 31 October 1974
Place: Cherbourg
Cost:
Captain: M Hehir

Background: Collision with Pier in Cherbourg

When leaving Cherbourg on 27 October 1974 QE2 was caught by a violent gust of wind and hit a pier and was holed on her starboard side. A 30-foot gash was created and the liner returned back to port for an examination of the damage by marine surveyors.Temporary repairs were carried out by the French Navy and QE2’s subsequent departure from Cherbourg to New York was delayed 48 hours.

Cunard statement:

“Towards midnight the wind had abated and the ship sailed. As she was leaving port a gust estimated at between 40- and 60-mph hit the liner and she struck the pier. The hole in the ship’s side is about 15 feet above the waterline just below Number Five Deck”.

Two French dockers were injured and one had to have a leg amputated.

You can read forum members memories and join in discussion on the QE2 Story topic Crash with pier at Cherbourg