Ask the QE2's Captain (Ian McNaught)

[Clydebuilt1971]

Thouroughly enjoyed reading Captain McNaught's answers. I thought the questions were great and the answers brilliant.
Thanks Rob for organising and thanks to Captain McNaught for taking the time to answer the questions is such great detail.

Alistair

Hear hear!!!

Thanks Rob.

This site just goes from strength to strength.

 

[Jem]

What fantastic answers! My favourites were the final part to question 11 and best of all the final answer
Thank you so very much Ian for taking the time to answer my question about 2 liners, makes perfect sense.
Just thoroughly enjoyed the whole thing. Great work Rob.

[Alex Tarry]

Wow.  What a priviledge to have this opportunity!  I too like the answer to Q11 the best (as it was my question!)...

What a contrast, hearing such tales of life in her prime to the somewhat forlorn imagages which have come out today...a ship really is about its people...

By coincidence we have just come back from a short Med Cruise and coincided with the Seabourne Spirit in Dubrovnik...no sign of the captain though, just lots of his happy passengers!

Thanks Captain and thanks Rob, this really made my day.

Alex.

[highlander0108]

Thank you Captain McNaught!

[Twynkle]

Thank you Captain McNaught!

Thank you, your replies  are much appreciated.

Highlander0108's image above  seems to epitomise exactly what you say
Although our experience of QE2 was 'then' -  'now' there are many valuable memories.
Her success has been due solely to the efforts of everyone who contributed so much to her life - from Day One!

Hopefully the silver model will find a home - if it's not possible for it to stay in your living room
then definitely, it needs to be somewhere where it will be equally well enjoyed.
The best possible subject for conversation!

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

Rounding the South Channel Pile Light requires the ship to make a sharp turn of more than 90 degrees to port. The Master required that this turn be executed slowly and gradually, presumably for the comfort of passengers.

The answers that Ian McNaught gave to the questions found elsewhere in the QE2 Story forum reminded me of the discussion I had with him that night. We took probably five hours to make the passage up the Bay to Port Melbourne at a leisurely pace. When we got to Station Pier and the ship was being put alongside, observations were made about the nature of the ship, her passengers and crew. They were always caring observations and conveyed a strong empathy with the ship and her passengers and crew.

Once the ship was alongside Capt McNaught asked if the pilot and I would stay for breakfast but we both had to get away and  declined his invitation. The Captain gave us each a plaque commemorating QE2's final year of service which was a lovely and unexpected surprise.

"They were always caring observations and conveyed a strong empathy with the ship and her passengers and crew."

Yes indeed -- this is the quality that comes out in Ian McNaught's responses to our questions. You put your finger on it so well!

I too want to thank Ian, Sue and Rob for having made it possible to read Ian's views on so many matters that we brought to him. Not only his love of QE2, but also his own caring personality shine through in his answers. I wish him many more contented days on the sea!

[Mauretania1907]

I wish him well with his new ship. May he enjoy many days and years of enjoyment with her too.