QE2 Final day in Southampton and final departure (11/11/2008)

[Peter Mugridge]

Quite simply a toast The old QE2 is gone, Long live the new QE2 .

Now, I don't drink but for those toasting... may I suggest that a certain recently created cocktail would be the appropriate beverage with which to charge your glasses...?

[Lynda Bradford]

Just 4 days now until the 10th Anniversary of QE2's departure.

Were you packing then, getting ready to sail with her - or like us, getting out the warmest clothes ready to drive down early - and find the Blue Funnel's Maid of the Harbour's Berth for the first of two fully booked sailings that day?

How should we mark this anniversary...?

11 November this year is a poignant anniversary, not only 10 years since QE2 left Southampton for the last time but also 100 years since the end of WWI.

[Thomas Hypher]

It's a pity we don't have a forum video conferencing facility along the lines of group calling on Facetime or Skype for example. We could then all toast QE2 "in person" and live on 11/11/2018 at a certain prearranged time with our own choices of drink if unable to have Louis' 50th anniversary cocktail. Could also be another conference of sorts at the same time.

[Peter Mugridge]

...on 11/11/2018 at a certain prearranged time...

Surely, the time she cast off on that day a decade ago...?

[Thomas Hypher]

Surely, the time she cast off on that day a decade ago...?

If we could all make the time, then that would be most appropriate for sure. Didn't she cast off around 7pm (late due to the farewell and partially explaining the 30 knot dash away from our shores)?

[Peter Mugridge]

She sailed at 19.15, if I recall correctly.

I suspect Michael will have a note of the exact moment, to the second, that the final line was cast off...?

[Twynkle]

Hi Peter,
We were alongside for much of the day - It seemed as if QE2 really was quite late leaving the quayside.
Soon after 7, after the Town's Fireworks - then she made her way slowly down Southampton Water towards the Cunard's Staff's special Fireworks, it was well after 7.00pm that she 'picked up her skirts and fled', it really did seem as if she thought it was becoming just too much to bear - and it became remarkably quiet on the water - silent, as well as freezing cold.
We could hear the music loud and clear from the ship - the lights on and several guys were dancing around the foot of the funnel and it wasn't long then before we were the last boat to turn back - in complete silence, it was one of the saddest times, and on the following days - watching the webcam was even more important than before.

[Peter Mugridge]

Soon after 7, she first backed aft towards the swinging ground - she stayed at Mayflower Park for the Town's Fireworks - then she made her way slowly down Southampton Water towards the Cunard's Staff's special Fireworks, it was well after 7.00pm that she 'picked up her skirts and fled'

I would take the departure time to be the time the last line was cast off ( around 19.15 ) rather than the time she started moving forwards following the fireworks etc.

[Rob Lightbody]

It's a pity we don't have a forum video conferencing facility along the lines of group calling on Facetime or Skype for example. We could then all toast QE2 "in person" and live on 11/11/2018 at a certain prearranged time with our own choices of drink if unable to have Louis' 50th anniversary cocktail. Could also be another conference of sorts at the same time.

The easiest way to achieve that, that I'm aware of, is to create a Google Hangout.  This is free, and works on any device.  As long as everyone creates the same link that the first person creates and shares, it will work.  We do this at my work daily.  I used to try to do all these things, but I've been struggling to find time recently.  I think we are geared up to do some more #QE2TenYearsOn though!

[Cunarder Man]

Sail Away 11 November 2008.

She slipped her berth and reversed towards Mayflower Park where throngs had gathered to bless her and say their goodbyes. Well wishers and passengers waved their flags, cheered and thousands of cameras flashed to capture this special moment in the life of their great liner. It was testimony to her popularity and the love they had for the ship that so many lined the banks of Southampton Water that evening 10 years ago. She was their ship, their icon, their piece of history which, for most, they would never see again. It was humbling to be on board and have the honour of witnessing this moment in history, not only Queen Elizabeth 2, but the city of Southampton her home port.

Spectacular fireworks lit the night sky for ages and their blaze faded as the ship’s propellers began to push her forward to her destiny. Slowly the ship approached Berth 39/40 where she had docked so regularly. The dock was lined with dancing search lights and again she was greeted with the explosions from fireworks. This was quite an emotional experience as one finally appreciated this old lady would never see her home again. The ship’s fog horn blasted saying her goodbyes which echoed across the city for the last time.

The ship continued on her way accompanied by a flotilla of small vessels each with groups wanting to see ‘their’ ship for as long as they could. Clearly there was ongoing communications between passengers on the QE2 and their friends and relatives on the accompanying vessels. Fellow passengers shared their stories of their experiences on board QE2 with great affection. Flags and torches waved continuously. In addition, torches, bonfires, fireworks and flares continued from the shorelines of the south coast and the Isle of Wight.

The November evening got colder and the sky darkened as we left the twinkling lights of the United Kingdom. But for Queen Elizabeth 2 she was leaving behind a great legacy and, for many passengers, crew and friends, many warm and happy memories.

[Louis De Sousa]

And QE2 today 10 years on.....

[cunardqueen]

A copy of two posts into one from several years ago.

My views are still the same, While l can never forgive Cunard for selling QE2, l perhaps should be thanking them, for if it hadnt been for that l wouldnt have discovered my new found joy of the glorious West coast of America and my new style holidays. The only trouble is, the blasted luggage,  on QE2 you pack what you think you might need, and thats something l can never change. The new ships of Cunard hold zero interest.

But my eternal thanks to Michael, it was a day l dreaded, l never really expected it, but to be given the chance of a final few hours onboard my QE2 was something i will be and am forever thankfully .  The way l departed QE2 was quick,l liken it to the olden days of having a tooth removed , your punched in the face to dull the pain, and before you know it, its all over, However a tap on the shoulder and lm told its time to go, no long goodbyes, no bon voyage greetings to friends , down from the yacht club and out through the midships lobby, l remember walking along with Robert Lloyd the artist, who must have thought who is this bumbling bag of tears, and before l knew it back in the QEII terminal some 22 years since l first embarked . then the long walk out of the docks to join RedJet 4 to escort QE2 down Southampton water.

Whatever the future holds for QE2, l do wish her well, it wont be the QE2 that l know and l have no wish to see her in her new incarnation , in whatever form it takes.             


I was very fortunate in that a few hours onboard allowed a chance to say goodbye to a few crew and oddly enough l saw my very first cabin 4028 from 1986 it hadnt changed much but oh boy the memories of the years inbetween.

The day never really went how l imagined it would. A quick jaunt over to the Isle of Wight to see a QE2 friend for a QE2 toast then managed to see the Harrier Jump jet salute. Boarding via the crew gangway provided a rare change to see behind the scenes and observe QE2 close up in an area you wouldnt normally get to.
 l never did get my final walk on the deck outside. A bite of Afternoon tea and some time of solitude in a quiet corner of the Queens Room.  But each and every minute was very precious and then when in the Yacht club speaking with two dear friends the tap on the shoulder came to signal time to go . That was it l was on the quayside within minutes...   Michael looking back that was the easiest way for me ,You very cruel, BUT so very kind   no longing goodbyes, downs the stairs and off within minutes.

Cant believe l walked all the way upto the red jet terminal and boarded red jet 4 to see her safely away After that ended l somehow ended up in a salsa bar with a couple of QE2 friends and then missed the last train to London and ended up staying overnight with a long term lady friend before heading upto London to check out of the hotel and for the flight back home.

Like l say it was a funny old day seeing QE2 for the last time, but l was extremely lucky to be given the chance to do it. And for me it was something l couldnt put a value on.

While l can never forgive Cunard for selling QE2, l perhaps should be thanking them, for if it hadnt been for that l wouldnt have discovered my new found joy of the glorious West coast of America and my new style holidays. The only trouble is, the blasted luggage,  on QE2 you pack what you think you might need, and thats something l can never change.

So thats my Last QE2 day...what about everyone else..?

[Thomas Hypher]

An end of an era. There wasn't a dry eye in our house as we watched BBC South Today's excellent coverage and tribute to QE2. I always end up reflecting on Captain McNaught's words that are in the video below (the finality of it all and the realisation) when thinking about the final departure and it still makes me emotional today.

[Lynda Bradford]

Love hearing the memories, please keep posting your memories of QE2's last day in Southampton. 

I wish I had been there to experience first hand the atmosphere.  But even watching on TV it was very emotional.

Before writing the newsletter I had checked some of the BBC links and found the video footage had been removed.  It may be ten years but I hope the videos are still available to view somewhere on the BBC site. 

[Peter Mugridge]

Before writing the newsletter I had checked some of the BBC links and found the video footage had been removed.  It may be ten years but I hope the videos are still available to view somewhere on the BBC site.

If not, fear not - I recorded the entire display in one take from Town Quay with an unobstructed view and it's safe on DVD.  When I get round to it, I'll copy it onto my video computer, encode it and then upload it to YouTube.

I'm sure I won't be the only one to have the entire display either.