Finished with Engines

[Rob Lightbody]

I like this article

http://www.clydebankpost.co.uk/articles/1/32485/

Its slightly confused, but I think what she must have done is to turn off the electric propulsion motors.  Its wonderful that someone from Clydebank got to do this, but also hugely poignant and sad.

Question - did they normally run all the time the ship was in port?  I can't believe they did.  Were the prop shafts always turning (but with the variable pitch propellers adjusted to give no movement)?  I'd assume they'd stop the motors as soon as they were tied up, or even as soon as the tugs took over?

I wonder if they'll ever turn again... doubt it, but here's hoping.

[singlemalt]

This was one of the things JSB mentioned when she was talking about the onboard auction.

To be honest, I don't know if I would have wanted or been able to do such a thing - especially as it was in the presence of so many people who had such history onboard and emotions were obviously running so high. 
I think maybe I'd have preferred that someone with a Clydebank connection had the winning bid but then handed the actual act over to John Hanvey or someone else in the team.

Just my 2p worth.

Ali 

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

Good article, Rob. Amazing that it took so long for this story to come through...

Agree with your comments... if it really is such a final gesture, and it took 20 minutes to get the propellers to stand still, I wonder whether they could be restarted in the same way... switching on instead of off, and waiting for the requisite number of minutes. I hope so!! I really really hope that someone will try... and succeed!

[hollihedge]

Oh dear
Very interesting, but oh so sad.  Couldn't have done it myself but glad this lady did it with her lifelong connection to QE2.
Really just like switching off someone's ventilator

[Andy F]

...just like switching off someone's ventilator

A wonderful and most apt analogy Hollihedge.  Have to agree with Ali though as had it been me, I would have handed over to either John H or the good Captain to do the honours, a kind of 'Powerdown by Proxy' if you like!

[highlander0108]

My son aptly pointed this out to us as we gathered for our Cabin Cavalcade. How many times have we walked by that in the Midships Lobby!  Having him point that out and then having someone associated with the future bastardization stop by with a laptop with Dubai renderings that day was disturbing.

KenM

[hollihedge]

Very sad

[singlemalt]

Reality bites 

Finished with engines
https://www.flickr.com/photos/singlemalt_ali/3290368651/in/set-72157614068636074/

Final bridgecam views
https://www.flickr.com/photos/singlemalt_ali/3291082994/in/set-72157614068636074/

[Andy F]

Very sad

Agreed he doesn't look happy does he?

[Stowaway2k]

To this day I've not read a single word, nor seen any video account of QE2's final approach to her present berth.

The first time I see it will be when I'm able to view the BBC documentary.

[singlemalt]

Kyle - I've got some bits from my mum's camera - from passenger's perspective on Promenade Deck 
(She was on it, there is link to the flickr pictures somewhere in the 'Final Voyage' bit on the memories thread.)

Not the best ones - only from a digital camera but I am working on trying to do something with them and will post on here if I have some success with it.

Wish me luck!

[Stowaway2k]

Kyle - I've got some bits from my mum's camera -

Thanks... what I meant to say is that I've chosen not to...   

[junglejames]

I like this article

http://www.clydebankpost.co.uk/articles/1/32485/

Its slightly confused, but I think what she must have done is to turn off the electric propulsion motors.  Its wonderful that someone from Clydebank got to do this, but also hugely poignant and sad.

Question - did they normally run all the time the ship was in port?  I can't believe they did.  Were the prop shafts always turning (but with the variable pitch propellers adjusted to give no movement)?  I'd assume they'd stop the motors as soon as they were tied up, or even as soon as the tugs took over?

I wonder if they'll ever turn again... doubt it, but here's hoping.

A long time in coming I know, but what gave you the impression the props were still turning in port?
As soon as they were alongside and the Captain was happy the vessel was secure, then the probs would be stopped, and the majority of engines shut down.
With her being diesel electric, I would have assumed the props were stopped before the actual engines, just by switching a breaker or something on the motors so they were no longer powered. I cant be sure about this though.
They would then shut down the majority of the engines, just leaving one or two running to power the auxilary equipment.
I dont think she had seperate gennies did she?

James

[Michael Gallagher]

At the final QE2 Charity Auction on Sunday 23 November 2008 passenger Sarah Short won the chance to take the order from Captain McNaught to ‘finish with engines’ for the last time as a Cunarder before she switched off one of the engines. She bid $10,000 for this unique opportunity.

At 1803 hours on Wednesday 26 November 2008 Captain McNaught issued the command from the Bridge to finish with engines and Sara Short down in the Engine Control Room proceeded to turn the switch. She would later recall people “sobbing” when they realized this was the end. Special TV monitors had been set up in the Engine Control Room so that the crowd could see the propellers coming to a stop.

The term ‘finished’ is only ever used when a ship stops for the last time; usually the phrase is ‘stop’ engines.

The Pilot left the Bridge at 1809 hours.

[Cruise_Princess]

Pity the passengers never heard anything of it...its what we were all there for ...the last moment of Qe2s life....while on deck it was like docking at any port any time....we felt so cheated by it all....