Author Topic: Foredeck Layout  (Read 16536 times)

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Offline Twynkle

Re: Foredeck Layout
« Reply #15 on: Nov 29, 2015, 10:25 PM »
Hello - Greetings and a warm welcome here!
Having seen very many of your wonderful photos, it's lovely to catch up with you again!

About this slender mast - it sounds fascinating! There will be others who will almost certainly throw more light on the matter.
In the meantime,  just a couple of things - in your early photo, do you know if by any chance - it's a watercolour painting?

Secondly, is this the skinny mast that you are referring to, here?
https://www.flickr.com/photos/glasgowfamilyalbum/11338358715/
It comes from a great collection on this topic:
https://www.theqe2story.com/forum/index.php/topic,5787.0.html
Will keep looking for you, and others will undoubtedly 'chip in too!

Rob has a posted a great aerial shot taken in '69 (I think), and that may well help too.
Just can't find it at the moment!
All the best,
Rosie

(PS - Hoping you'll have a ticket and camera at the ready for a detailed account of the 'Re-Mastered' version of the mighty younger Queen!)


Offline Captain Martini

Re: Foredeck Layout
« Reply #16 on: Dec 03, 2015, 01:36 PM »
Thanks, Twynkle, for the photo links and yes, I believe it is the mast I am on about.

Interestingly, the Airfix 1:600 scale plastic kit also has this "extra mast" on the foredeck and the instuctions for making the kit (which I still have!) refer to it as a "telescopic mast" and describe it as "optional" in the making of the kit model.

(PS I made this model some 30 years ago (photos attached) so please make allowances for the slightly discoloured joint stains and faded colours!)

I am puzzled that none of the refits listed in great detail by Michael Gallagher mention anything about this mast.  This is why I would like to find out when and why it disappeared - and whether it was at the same time that the first tripod fog-horn mast was installed.
« Last Edit: Dec 03, 2015, 02:51 PM by Captain Martini »
Mark Cornford (aka Captain Martini)

Offline Trevor Harris

Re: Foredeck Layout
« Reply #17 on: May 22, 2017, 11:20 PM »
I have a question, when QE2 was launched I didn't see a "box" (I'll attach photos) but in later pictures, I see this box. Does anyone know what refit gave her the "box"?
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Online Rob Lightbody

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Re: Foredeck Layout
« Reply #18 on: May 22, 2017, 11:48 PM »
I have a question, when QE2 was launched I didn't see a "box" (I'll attach photos) but in later pictures, I see this box. Does anyone know what refit gave her the "box"?

See this topic https://www.theqe2story.com/forum/index.php/topic,7118.0.html (look for lookout bar mentions)

And this :

https://www.theqe2story.com/forum/index.php/topic,450.0.html
« Last Edit: May 22, 2017, 11:53 PM by Rob Lightbody »
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Offline Trevor Harris

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Offline Thomas Hypher

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Re: Foredeck Layout
« Reply #20 on: Feb 19, 2019, 12:20 PM »
Does anyone know what happened to the original tall bowmast on the foredeck?

Earliest photos of QE2 in 1969 show a tall, slender mast set back from the fo'c'stle and jackstaff (see attached). Considering its exposure, I would be surprised if it survived very long but if it was removed, when (and what circumstances) did it go?

I'm not sure of this was a collapsable or folding mast but at some point after 1969, it seems to have vanished. Its place was later occupied by a shorter, tripod mast that carried the forward whistle or foghorn. But I don't know when the tripod mast was erected. The earliest photo I have found to show this is also attached. The date of this photo is unclear but from the QM/QE suites and the colours of the funnel and lifeboat tops, it was after 1977 (but not during the blue boot-topping period of 1979-80). This tripod mast (or one like it) appeared again after the Falklands refit and was there until "the end".  Meanwhile, I'd appreciate some help in getting the detail right!

My driving reason for wanting to find out about the foredeck layout is that I am trying to finish a Revell 1:450 scale model of QE2 and the superstructure depicted in that model date between 1972-1977. I'll be posting some pictures of the progress on that model in due course.

I think I have seen photos from back when QE2 was new, recently, and the black ball (not sure of the actual nautical name!) used when at anchor or under restricted manoeuvrability (as on the Sandbanks Chain Ferry just down the road from me) which was later attached to a mast that was then attached to the foghorn assembly was instead "flown" from this tall mast originally and that was its primary purpose. It would seem the black ball needs to be at a certain height above the deck, perhaps for smaller vessels passing close by to have line of sight? My photo below from July 2008 shows the black ball "flying" from the tall mast that was attached to the back of the foghorn assembly when anchored in Propriano, Corsica on her only visit there:

QE2 Mediterranean cruise, July 2008 (my last trip on QE2) by Thomas Hypher, on Flickr

My Dad's video below shows the black ball arrangement in more detail from about 20 seconds in, as we hauled anchor in Monte Carlo/Monaco a couple of days later on from Propriano, on the same voyage and what was her last ever visit to Monte Carlo/Monaco:

« Last Edit: Feb 19, 2019, 12:27 PM by Thomas Hypher »
First sailed on QE2 in August 2003 aged 6 years old. Last sailed on QE2 in July 2008. Last saw the seagoing QE2 in person from the decks of QM2, on QE2's last Transatlantic crossing (Eastbound tandem) in October 2008. Visited QE2 in her new life, in Dubai, in January 2020 and August 2022.

Offline pete cain

Re: Foredeck Layout
« Reply #21 on: Feb 19, 2019, 03:38 PM »
Black ball explanation Thomas,      http://kb.rocna.com/kb/Anchor_signals 

Offline Thomas Hypher

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Re: Foredeck Layout
« Reply #22 on: Feb 20, 2019, 03:02 AM »
Black ball explanation Thomas,      http://kb.rocna.com/kb/Anchor_signals

Thank you for the link to the explanation Pete :) . Interesting to note how much local rules can differ between places.
First sailed on QE2 in August 2003 aged 6 years old. Last sailed on QE2 in July 2008. Last saw the seagoing QE2 in person from the decks of QM2, on QE2's last Transatlantic crossing (Eastbound tandem) in October 2008. Visited QE2 in her new life, in Dubai, in January 2020 and August 2022.

Online Andy Holloway

Re: Foredeck Layout
« Reply #23 on: Feb 20, 2019, 04:43 PM »
Here's an observation and nautical knowledge question;

Watch closely and you'll see one of the sailors walk forward and ring the bell on two different occasions twice, each one was different, why was he doing this?


Online Rob Lightbody

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Re: Foredeck Layout
« Reply #24 on: Feb 20, 2019, 06:06 PM »
There are lots of answers to what's been mentioned here in our QE2 anchors topic

https://www.theqe2story.com/forum/index.php?topic=215.0
Passionate about QE2's service life for 40 years and creator of this website.  I have worked in IT for 28 years and created my personal QE2 website in 1994.

Offline Thomas Hypher

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Re: Foredeck Layout
« Reply #25 on: Feb 21, 2019, 02:48 PM »
Here's an observation and nautical knowledge question;

Watch closely and you'll see one of the sailors walk forward and ring the bell on two different occasions twice, each one was different, why was he doing this?

Isn't it where a sailor rings the bell when a certain number of fathoms is passed in hauling up the anchor (I can't remember the particular number of fathoms though that have to pass between ringing the bell) and this is marked on the anchor chains - in QE2's case with red paint. I may have got the unit of measurement (fathoms) wrong in this context though!
First sailed on QE2 in August 2003 aged 6 years old. Last sailed on QE2 in July 2008. Last saw the seagoing QE2 in person from the decks of QM2, on QE2's last Transatlantic crossing (Eastbound tandem) in October 2008. Visited QE2 in her new life, in Dubai, in January 2020 and August 2022.

Online Andy Holloway

Re: Foredeck Layout
« Reply #26 on: Feb 21, 2019, 03:46 PM »
Well done Thomas, yes it's to signal how much of the anchor cable is still out, he'll signal as the relevant markers appear in the hawse pipe.
Although the Officer on the platform is in communications with the bridge by radio, ringing the bell lets everyone working on the FX what the state of the anchor recovery is.

When i was on Ocean Village, we were anchored off Villefranche-sur-mar for a days call when, as the anchor was being recovered the anchor clutch motor burnt out. The only answer was to cut the anchor cable and drop the anchor to the sea bed!
We sailed around for about a month with only one anchor until, on a turnaround day in Palma, we had a new replacement anchor delivered and, after a very long day for the deckies and tech team, it was fitted and we sailed only slightly late. 
Not the easiest of jobs fitting a 12 ton anchor while alongside!


Offline Rod

Re: Foredeck Layout
« Reply #27 on: Feb 21, 2019, 05:41 PM »
Staying on anchors.
We were at anchor in St. Thomas  I believe, they hauled anchor and it was tangled, looked like a big knot!
Capt. Ridley I believe it was, after much lowering, raising and maneuvering, got it "untied" and off we went!

Online Cunarder Man

Re: Foredeck Layout
« Reply #28 on: Feb 22, 2019, 03:47 PM »
Forward deck December 1983 after the refit in Bremerhaven. We were on a two day cruise to nowhere which was our first voyage on the ship. There was a lot of work going on to finish her whilst we were on board. Didn't put us off!

Offline Twynkle

Re: Foredeck Layout
« Reply #29 on: Feb 24, 2019, 08:47 AM »
There are lots of answers to what's been mentioned here in our QE2 anchors topic

https://www.theqe2story.com/forum/index.php?topic=215.0

As Rob kindly links above - we spent a fair amount of time on Foredeck matters some time ago!

The Anchor bell is rung to show how many shackles of chain you have out when anchoring, isn't it?
The bridge (hopefully!!! ;) ) will know the depth of the sea floor when parking as well as anchoring.,
it can also be used when foggy should the whistle have failed!
The Anchor ball is to show that the ship is not moving, isn't it?
Very hopefully, QE2 still has both hers in situ!
« Last Edit: Feb 24, 2019, 09:00 AM by Twynkle »