QE2 Mile in Southampton + Anchor Donation

[Twynkle]

Has anyone heard more about the promise of an anchor for Southampton?

If there are plans in the making - please may we  (together with a bit of help) be allowed to bring it and The QE2 home?

And then we could easily manage to bring the other anchor to The Clyde...

[Dr. Edmund Carus]

I would drop off the Clyde anchor on the way home

Cheers!

[Rob Lightbody]

Nothing's been disposed of yet from QE2. I'm also led to believe that the anchor that was discussed was her spare anchor, which was always, and still is, in southampton!

[Twynkle]

Hey Rob!

That's good news!
Do you by any chance know where the anchor is, in Southampton?
I'll be there on Monday, 17th and would definitely take a few photos
(....before reluctantly, dejectedly and sullenly crawling up the gangway of the Very Ugly one!!)

To see QE2's anchor at close quarters would make a big difference!

Rosie

 

[Michael Gallagher]

The anchor is now owned by the City of Southampton as it was gifted to them and they are still some way off in deciding a suitable place for it to be displayed.

[Twynkle]

Oh!

And thank you!

It'll be a  day of an even bigger Big Sulk next Monday!!  

[Twynkle]

...."Today the Daily Echo can reveal that Southampton now has its own famous walk for visitors to stroll along
 – the QE2 Mile"

http://www.thisishampshire.net/news/4626119.It_s_the_QE2_Mile/

[Kathy M.]

I just read that - sounds like a great idea to me!

[Louis De Sousa]

I just read that - sounds like a great idea to me!

For me too, but lets see if it gets out of the drawer.

Louis

[Bob C.]

I'd like to see 936 ft of this mile being occupied by a berthed QE2 hotel, museum and conference center.

[Chris Frame]

I'd like to see 936 ft of this mile being occupied by a berthed QE2 hotel, museum and confernece center.

I second that notion!

[cunardqueen]

If its taken Southampton Council 2 years to decide where to mount the Anchor, Heaven help us how long they would take to decide where to put QE2 if/when she comes back ....

[highlander0108]

I'd like to see 936 ft of this mile being occupied by a berthed QE2 hotel, museum and conference center.

What happened to the other 27 feet of QE2?

[Chris Frame]

"CIVIC chiefs have finally decided on a new home for the QE2’s anchor almost two years since it was given to the city by former owners Cunard. "

More here: http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/8461284.QE2_s_anchor_to_find_new_home_in_city/?ref=nf

[richc1977]

I forgot to say, but I was in Southampton on 16 April at the British Titanic Society Convention.  I walked up through from the docks to the centre of town, past Holy Rood Church.

Just to let you know there is a big hole in the ground, with some security fencing around.  There is a notice saying that the pavement is being prepared for the QE2's anchor, with an artists impression.

I didn't take a picture, as it is just a messy hole.  But it's pretty big!

Anyway, the notice says it should be in situ by "Summer 2011". 

I vote Captain McNaught should perform the unveiling.

[Michael Gallagher]

Not the best picture but the new signage for the QE2 Mile is and has been in place for some time. The red strip above the street sign says 'The QE2 Mile'

[Michael Gallagher]

The anchor will finally be put into position on Sunday 10 July. A fitting official unveiling will follow later.

[highlander0108]

The spare anchor Cunard (and from the news article, Dubai) donated to her home port of Southampton is now on display.

http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/9132412.Ship_s_anchor_finds_new_home/

[citrail]

Good thing they didn't cut the funnel off too.

[Twynkle]

Today, I found the anchor!

It is large, black and, although it is still being fitted in properly, in itself - it's looking good.
Like the tree round the corner of the pavement, it is standing tall,
surrounded by a rectangular space edged with large shiny black tiles / slabs.


QE2's spare anchor  

Fittingly, it is situated just outside the tower and remains of the lovely Sailors' church - Holy Rood.
It is placed close to a commemorative  three-cornered wooden seat
complete with plaques inscribed with the penultimate verse of Alfred, Lord Tennyson's poem,

 'Crossing the Bar'
  Twilight and evening bell,
  And after that the dark!
  And may there be no sadness or farewell,
  When I embark.....

The newly painted anchor stands on part of the pavement that juts into the road - it can't be missed - and, curiously, perhaps - there is 'For Your Eyes Only' (FYEO Southampton) a pole-dancing school / night club with blackened glass windows on the opposite side of the road.

It is similar in shape to those carried by QE2's recent fleet-mates.
It would be interesting to know - was this one used on QE2?
The upper part that would hang on the shackle /cable looks new.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/watch_keeper/6003228895/in/set-72157627219218049/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/watch_keeper/6003228905/in/set-72157627219218049/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/watch_keeper/6003228917/in/set-72157627219218049/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/watch_keeper/6003228923/in/set-72157627219218049/