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

[Michael Gallagher]

I compiled a personal CD which the Cruise Director played over the ship's loudspeakers as she backed off the QEII Terminal and drifted toward Mayflower Park. So as she was drifting and waiting for her firework finale the passengers on board were treated to (in order):

Time to Say Goodbye (Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman)
Isn't She Lovely (Stevie Wonder)
You're Beautiful (James Blunt) - had to make sure I used the 'clean' version!
Forever Young (Diana Ross)
The Day Before You Came (Abba)

Originally I asked Captain McNaught to just have her drift from the QEII Terminal quietly as wanted to save all the whistle blowing until after the fireworks - thought that would be more dramatic. But just as we were casting off he looked at me and said "we can't go without blowing the whistle". The whistle was blown once long and proud and then she commenced her drift.......

[Peter Mugridge]

Michael..... I was on Town Quay and I filmed the whole fireworks display in a single unbroken sequence ( as well as some of the preceeding and subsequent moments ).  When I get time, I'll get the QE2 bits edited separately from the family stuff on the same DVD and I'll make it available.

[Twynkle]

Hello!
Thank you, Michael.
We heard your music  (albeit faintly - being down wind)
from alongside, beneath the midships bit of QE2
It sounded very sad - and very appropriate.
We waited for what seemed a long time till she cast off -
it was still, and almost silent, before the sound of QE2 'long and proud'!

Later, as she gained speed, past and beyond the Terminal,  we could clearly hear Auld Lang Syne, Land of hope and Glory - possibly Sailing and My Way.
Then it seemed that there were very few people on the open decks...
I often wonder whether those on board found it too cold and painful to stay out - Watching.

I have some short video clips...not very good ones.  
If I can find one with your music - I'll do my best to post it.
I wonder whether the 'Departing Southampton' part of the voyage has been recorded from on board QE2?

[rough crossing]

We were lucky enough to get tickets for the SS Shieldhall through the Ocean Liner Society. We drove down from Yorkshire the night before, in time for a very early start as the plan was to head out into the Solent and escort QE2 to her berth. Unfortunately news soon came in that she'd grounded and try as we might, we just couldn't get away from our berth anyway due to the wind - even despite the best efforts of a tug. However, despite this, we were eventually treated to a grandstand view when QE2 turned in front of us and we were were well placed for the RAF Harriers tribute later in the day. This was our first time on the Shieldhall and despite her somewhat inglorious past as a sludge carrier, she is absolutely delightful, especially the atmospheric wood-pannelled bridge. Without a doubt it was an absolutely brilliant and fitting way to wave the QE2 off and I will always treasure the memory of the whistle exchanges between these two great ships as the QE2 sped up behind us, overtook and eventually disappered from view. There was not a dry eye to be seen anywhere.

[Stowaway2k]

My humble collection of photographs...

Note: link not working - removed

The first series is taken from a Red Funnel ferry arriving from Cowes, and the rest from the Shieldhall.

During the fireworks, Shieldhall was some distance away from QE2, so it wasn't really possible to get decent shots with my little point-and-shoot camera, or for QE2's departure from the moving Shieldhall.  That's my excuse anyway.

[Cruise_Princess]

As QE2 sailed past the Hythe Pier for the final time, a bugler on the pier head played "Close of Day", or "Taps"

It was heart-achingly appropriate.  No doubt anyone on QE2's decks would have heard it.

I wish I had my video camera recording at that time, it would have been nice to have had this moment preserved

I wonder if anyone recorded that.......that must have been so emotional... to be honest I think it sounded more emotional ashore than it did onboard....cause we couldnt see anything in the darkness....had we left in daylight or even sunset it would have been so much better,

[mickey g]

I was onboard and filmed the entire fireworks display, it was just so close to us that it felt overwhelming.

One lasting memory (amongst many others) was mine and my travel chums mobiles never stopping ringing from well wishing friends of ours watching our departure on TV.

Yes it was cold but true QE2 lovers remained on deck until the last minute, remember we got up to over 30 knots quite soon after.............bless her!

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

Yes it was cold but true QE2 lovers remained on deck until the last minute, remember we got up to over 30 knots quite soon after.............bless her!

Were you aware of the speed she made that evening at the time / later during the voyage / only after returning and being told?

[Beardy Rich]

Here's another video clip of our favourite ship leaving Southampton for the final time.
Turn your speakers up and hear QE2s horn at 3m45s. Even funnier are the comments just after 4m5s. Enjoy 
http://vimeo.com/2257236
Oh dear... I've just watched this again to try and hear what the spectators onboard the Red Funnel ferry are saying after the ferry blows its horn. It sounds as though someone is saying 'tell him not to bother, it just farts doesn't it".
So funny... I've got tears rolling down my face from laughing.

[Twynkle]

11.11.2008. Same Fireworks - different angle!
and the message from Captain McNaught from the BBC.

Note:  BBC link not working

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7723446.stm

[RmsAquitania]

We watched it live on satellite so were able to continue viewing after the main bbc regional news show had finished. I remember we just sat there with tears in our eyes watching her go and thinking she should have been kept in the UK.

[rough crossing]

Better late than never I guess - we've finally got around to uploading this video taken on board the SS Shieldhall of the QE2 arriving in Southampton having been pushed off the Brambles on 11th November 2008. Due to high winds, the Shieldhall had been prevented from getting off her moorings, however we were later rewarded with this grandstand view of QE2's eventual final arrival in Southampton.

 

[Rob Lightbody]

Better late than never I guess - we've finally got around to uploading this video taken on board the SS Shieldhall of the QE2 arriving in Southampton having been pushed off the Brambles on 11th November 2008. Due to high winds, the Shieldhall had been prevented from getting off her moorings, however we were later rewarded with this grandstand view of QE2's eventual final arrival in Southampton.

ABSOLUTELY SUPERB 

[rough crossing]

Thanks Rob - and for sorting the 'you tube' bit - we're still trying to get to grips with the technicalities of posting media - and Jan will be delighted you appreciate her camera work.

[Rob Lightbody]

She did very well - one of the best things you can do on occasions such as these, is to not do much with the camera, and let the scene itself do the talking!  Too many people go mad zooming etc!

Incidentally - I have accidentally "tweeted" your video and credited it to Alan & Shona - my mistake - trying to do too many things at once!