Rod Fair, QE2 Engineer 1971-1988

[Rod]

Joined QE 2 as an Engineer Cadet in 1971. Back to college for a year then back on board until Dec 1988. Saw many things. Bomb scares, hurricanes hepatitis epidemics etc etc.
Great to find this site.

[Twynkle]

Welcome, Rod

It's really great that you have joined us
Thanks so much for enlightening us further,
and when the 'engines' of the hotel have taken more of your attention -
it'll good to learn even more about the engineers' 'lot' on QE2!
Have you reached the posts about the Falklands campaign (here on the Forum) yet?
It must have been really interesting, if exhausting work -
especially as you worked on board for a long time, and before the conversion to diesel-electric
Rosie

[Rod]

Havent got there yet. Will do. 2 Yards to mow today.

[Twynkle]

Havent got there yet. Will do. 2 Yards to mow today.

No worries, Rod - the fact that you have arrived today is just brilliant!
Having met a few people who were working on board during the 1980's (and earlier) has been great
and to know that you were around during the 1970's is every bit as good!
The Forum needs as many '70s-ites' as it can get....  
without denying any of the glory to the others, you understand!

Just as a matter of interest - about Harris tweed, leather, chrome and all the other 60's decor 'stuff'  - did you notice any of that too?
These come under other topics - we are going to have a great time just thinking about it!
Rosie.

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

Joined QE 2 as an Engineer Cadet in 1971. Back to college for a year then back on board until Dec 1988. Saw many things. Bomb scares, hurricanes hepatitis epidemics etc etc.
Great to find this site.

Hello Rod,

Welcome aboard the Forum! So glad you found us.

Thank you for your memories already, and looking forward to many more. Looks like you had an adventurous time on board! You were very lucky to have known QE2 in her early days...

Did you ever get to see her in more recent years?

[skilly56]

Hi Rod,

Welcome to the Forum.

Does the name 'Brian Jones' ring a bell with you. Also known as 'Squeaky Jones' from Manchester.

He was also an engineer cadet in the 69-71 era. Story goes that he was transferred to Caronia after pouring a jug of beer down the inside of the staff chief's trousers whilst ashore in Aruba (after which he was known as 'Aruba Jones'!).

Cheers

Skilly

[Lynda Bradford]

Hello Rod

Good to have you on the Forum.  I enjoyed reading your posts yesterday and look forward to hearing more from you about your memories onboard QE2. 

Lynda

[Rod]

Hi Rod,

Welcome to the Forum.

Does the name 'Brian Jones' ring a bell with you. Also known as 'Squeaky Jones' from Manchester.

He was also an engineer cadet in the 69-71 era. Story goes that he was transferred to Caronia after pouring a jug of beer down the inside of the staff chief's trousers whilst ashore in Aruba (after which he was known as 'Aruba Jones'!).

Cheers

Skilly

Yes He was on the QE2 when I was a Cadet and the when I was 5th.

[Rob Lightbody]

WELCOME Rod!! 

Great to have you aboard.  And thank you very much for all your fascinating contributions so far!

[Peter Mugridge]

Hello Rod; you are certainly providing lots of interesting snippets - keep them coming.

[Louis De Sousa]

Hello Rod

Welcome to the forum, nice to see another crewmember here.

Louis

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

Rod, I believe you said somewhere that you were a deck engineer (hope I remember this correctly!).

What did the work of a deck engineer involve?

How many types of engineers were there on QE2?

Did they replace each other if necessary, or were their jobs just too different?

Did they mix in their free time, did they see themselves as all engineers together?

Looking forward to learning more about the things that were all the time being done to make our lives so happy and comfortable on board!

[cunardqueen]

Rod,
 Love all the contributions, Its great to have you on here Im sure everyone else looks forward to hearing even more from yourself as and when time permits.
Myles 

[Rod]

Isabelle,
The Engineering Dept, under the C/E had several different areas, these came under the Hotel Service Engineer and later the Ships Service Manager. You had a "Stem King" the laundry engineer that looked after ALL the washing machine and dryers including the main laundry. A Kitchen Engineer that looked after the galleys and all 28 room service pantries, and a Deck Engineer that looked after the deck machinery including boats and davits and hospital equipment. Most of the trg was on the job.
Nowhere in my three years of college was I ever taught that I would have to lie under an operating table in the hospital, during surgery, with an electrical officer, making sure that the sucker thingy would keep working. The reception jar was right by our faces....gross to say the least!

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

Well, that made for a rather different working day! And a memorable one too .

I hope the operation was a success and the sucker thingy worked flawlessly.