The Elizabeths did meet

[Michael Gallagher]

I've done some further research into this and Queen Elizabeth and QE2 did meet - if only we had photos!

After leaving Cunard service Queen Elizabeth arrived in Port Everglades on 7 December 1968 and remained there until 8 May 1971. In that time QE2 did not call at Port Everglades – her maiden call there did not take place until 21 December 1971.

However, QE2 did meet Queen Elizabeth on at least one occasion: in Aruba on 17 March 1971.

QE2 had left New York on 13 March on a 14-day cruise to the Caribbean. Cunard Company Secretary Frank Leach reported on the meeting:

   “...mixed feelings all round but our exchange of farewells on leaving was painfully moving”.

Commodore Marr on Queen Elizabeth reported to Commodore Warwick on QE2 that he still had the original John Brown test model of QE2 in his care. Where is that model now?

[Peter Mugridge]

I'd guess there must be pictures available, although they could well be in private collections - either crew, passengers or local residents in Aruba.

It occurs to me that there is a high chance there may be something in the Aruban newspaper archives for the time?



Edited to add:  I've found a possible source of images already, and have contacted them.  Flagship - have sent you details by e-mail...

[cunardqueen]

Can you imagine if photos did exist!!! They would be well worth viewing....

[Peter Mugridge]

I looked at the place on Google Maps; the port is really small - they would have had to have been moored practically next to each other.

As soon as I get a response from my lead, I'll pass the details on to Flagship.

[Jeff Taylor]

QE never moored in the harbor.  She was well offshore at anchor while they did the retubing job on the boilers, with all of the supplies and workers ferried out to her.  Commodore Marr's book has a detailed account of the incident.

[jdl]

What a find - well done Michael, fingers cross the pictures can be located and approved for publication.

john

[Chris Frame]

Great research Michael! As you say, if only we had photographs!

I suppose Elizabeth 2 and Elizabeth 3 will meet during the '11 WC - March 31 (Dubai, United Arab Emirates - Overnight)

[Fairfield]

Commodore Marr's statement about the test model is interesting as it has always been believed that the original test models of QM, QE and QE2 were built up and these are the ones on display in Glasgow's Transport Museum.

[Twynkle]

QE2 signals to Queen Elizabeth - November 28th 1968, as Queen Elizabeth departs Southampton for the final time.
From The Queens and I. p173
Commodore Captain Geoffrey Marr writes:
"Then as we were making our way down-Channel at about 18.00hrs that evening, the Carmania, returning home from a Mediterranian cruise, came close alongside and saluted us.  We also had a signal from the new Queen Elizabeth ll doing her trials off the Isle of Arran, wishing us success in our new role, which made some of us smile wryly.

As we settled down to make the best of our ghost ship voyage, none of us felt very cheerful: it had been a dismal departure for a ship that had given such long and valuable service...many people felt that day that the Queen Elizabeth was quietly being swept under the carpet...."

[To be continued - the following chapter is about her stay outside Aruba etc. I have yet to read further; this is a very good book!]

[Jem]

That was really interesting to read! Thanks Rosie

[jdl]

Great little find Rosie, 

In all the emotion of the send off's we passengers give these ships it is often easy to forget the stronger bond that the crew have with their ship

jdl

[Mauretania1907]

I bet there were very mixed emotions on both ships, even more when Queen Elizabeth met her ultimate grisly fate. IF she had been converted to SEAWISE University, she would possibly have come to Auckland in that guise, and I could possibly hae seen her.

[Peter Mugridge]

I have heard back from the Aruba tourist people; no pictures have turned up yet but the search continues.

Flagship - I have passed on to you their full reply with more details than this, and my immediate response.

[Lynda Bradford]

QE2 signals to Queen Elizabeth - November 28th 1968, as Queen Elizabeth departs Southampton for the final time.
From The Queens and I. p173
Commodore Captain Geoffrey Marr writes:
"Then as we were making our way down-Channel at about 18.00hrs that evening, the Carmania, returning home from a Mediterranian cruise, came close alongside and saluted us.  We also had a signal from the new Queen Elizabeth ll doing her trials off the Isle of Arran, wishing us success in our new role, which made some of us smile wryly.

As we settled down to make the best of our ghost ship voyage, none of us felt very cheerful: it had been a dismal departure for a ship that had given such long and valuable service...many people felt that day that the Queen Elizabeth was quietly being swept under the carpet...."
[To be continued - the following chapter is about her stay outside Aruba etc. I have yet to read further; this is a very good book!]

Rosie this must have been a sad voyage for the crew on the ship and the statement shows the feeling that were felt for Queen Elizabeth at that time.  Now all these years later QE2 crew must have had similar feelings as they sailed for Dubai.

[Bob C.]

QE2's last voyage and departure from Southampton is chronicled at the below link.  The article has the exact same tone as described in the above post.

http://www.worldshipny.com/QE2finalBlog.shtml

[sotonsean]

Well I guess this is closest we can too although it's obviously not for real!

[Twynkle]

I've done some further research into this and Queen Elizabeth and QE2 did meet - if only we had photos!

After leaving Cunard service Queen Elizabeth arrived in Port Everglades on 7 December 1968 and remained there until 8 May 1971. In that time QE2 did not call at Port Everglades – her maiden call there did not take place until 21 December 1971.

However, QE2 did meet Queen Elizabeth on at least one occasion: in Aruba on 17 March 1971.

QE2 had left New York on 13 March on a 14-day cruise to the Caribbean. Cunard Company Secretary Frank Leach reported on the meeting:

   “...mixed feelings all round but our exchange of farewells on leaving was painfully moving”.

Commodore Marr on Queen Elizabeth reported to Commodore Warwick on QE2 that he still had the original John Brown test model of QE2 in his care. Where is that model now?

Hello Michael,
Have you found the test model yet?
Please do you know any other / further details (yet?!) - eg date and state of same?
I've got just a very few spies...
Rosie

[June Ingram]

Hi Rosie -

Thanks for your post.  Do you by any chance have Commodore Marr's book handy ?  There is a reference in there of another "greeting" and if I am remembering correctly, QE could not respond to QE2's greeting because of a problem with her whistle.

June   

[trevorc]

There has to be pictures.

[kevinh]

I learned this in my Cunard 's 175 Years book. I can only imagine how moving this must've been. In fact, I'll mention this in my next QE2 mini-series episode!

But I'm surprised there's no pictures...