Author Topic: The date of the laying of the keel (QE2)  (Read 11283 times)

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Online Peter Mugridge

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The date of the laying of the keel (QE2)
« on: Apr 13, 2012, 10:44 PM »
This sentence from the fascinating documentation Flagship posted tonight relating to the Government loan caught my attention:

Quote
The keel of the new Cunarder (No. 736) was laid at John Brown’s yard at Clydebank on 5 July 1965, the 125th anniversary of the inauguration by the Britannia of the first regular scheduled trans-Atlantic passenger service.

I take it the choice of date was deliberate, bearing in mind the anniversary mentioned?
« Last Edit: Jun 28, 2020, 03:04 PM by Rob Lightbody »
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Offline Michael Gallagher

Re: The date of the laying of the keel
« Reply #1 on: Apr 14, 2012, 07:35 AM »
Originally the keel was to be laid on Friday 2 July 1965. The prefabricated section of the new ship's keel consisted of three 60-tonne sections 35.7 m (117 ft) long, 7 m (23 feet) wide and 1.9 m (6 ft 3 in) high.

Unfortunately it had not been stipulated that the prefabricated section being built in the workshops should weigh just 40 tonnes, to be within the combined lifting capabilities of two tower cranes adjoining the ship, which with the aid of a powerful winch would lift and pull the keep section into place. A rehearsal of the ceremony on the Wednesday evening before had gone very well but this good omen turned out to be misleading.

Lady Aberconway, the wife of John Brown's Chairman, was to perform the ceremony at 1000 hours, and more than a score of press and TV cameraman and about 30 journalists were there. Also present were Lord Aberconway and Sir John and Lady Brocklebank.

As the process began it rapidly became clear that something was wrong. Although the keel section initially moved a few inches it then stuck and refused to moved any further. Seemingly the weight of the keel was greater than the two cranes could manage, and the strain on the winch threatened to tear its concrete base out of the ground.

The embarrassing ceremony ended abruptly and the guests were quickly taken away to be entertained; fortunately press coverage was sympathetic.

The keel section was moved without fanfare into position onto the building docks on Monday 5 July.

Britannia left Liverpool on 4 July 1840. Those notes came directly from Cunard's Annual Report so even Cunard got the anniversary date wrong by a day!
« Last Edit: Jul 26, 2024, 09:22 AM by Lynda Bradford »

Online Peter Mugridge

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Re: The date of the laying of the keel
« Reply #2 on: Apr 14, 2012, 09:00 PM »
Ironic..... so even if they had picked the date deliberately.........!! ::)
"It is a capital mistake to allow any mechanical object to realise that you are in a hurry!"

Online Rob Lightbody

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Online Lynda Bradford

Re: The date of the laying of the keel
« Reply #4 on: Aug 11, 2015, 09:28 AM »
Good videos that I do not think I have seen before. 
I was proud to be involved with planning QE2's 50 year conference in September 2017 in Clydebank

Online Rob Lightbody

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Re: The date of the laying of the keel
« Reply #5 on: Aug 11, 2015, 09:33 AM »
Hi Lynda,

All the videos I've posted in the past few days have only just been released by ap news/movietone and it's quite possible they've not been seen by anyone since the time they were originally broadcast.

I heard about them on a technology podcast I listen to.  If you search for the collections they're part of on YouTube, you can search within the collections for all sorts of fascinating stuff.
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 June Ingram

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Re: The date of the laying of the keel
« Reply #6 on: Aug 11, 2015, 04:41 PM »
Thanks, Rob, for posting these videos and for alerting us to the wealth of newly released material.  It is fascinating to see the section of Q4's keel up close and to see her model in the test tank.  I am looking forward to seeing more of them.   :)
QE2 - the ship for all of time, a ship of timeless beauty !

Offline June Ingram

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Re: The date of the laying of the keel
« Reply #7 on: Jul 05, 2016, 03:33 PM »
Keel number 736 was laid down on 5 July 1965 at John Brown's.  Please take time to read Michael's commentary and watch the videos brought forward by Rob as we celebrate our QE2 !   :)
QE2 - the ship for all of time, a ship of timeless beauty !

Offline June Ingram

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Re: The date of the laying of the keel
« Reply #8 on: Jul 05, 2017, 07:26 PM »
Let's all remember what took place on 5 July 1965 !
QE2 - the ship for all of time, a ship of timeless beauty !

Online Lynda Bradford

Re: The date of the laying of the keel
« Reply #9 on: Jul 05, 2017, 09:04 PM »
Where it all started! Thanks for the reminder June -we should not forget this important event. 
I was proud to be involved with planning QE2's 50 year conference in September 2017 in Clydebank

Online cunardqueen

Re: The date of the laying of the keel
« Reply #10 on: Jul 05, 2017, 09:05 PM »
Here we are
From the moment you first glimpsed the Queen,
 you just knew you were in for a very special time ahead.!

Online Lynda Bradford

Re: The date of the laying of the keel
« Reply #11 on: Jul 05, 2017, 09:07 PM »
Fantastic pictures Myles of the building of an icon
I was proud to be involved with planning QE2's 50 year conference in September 2017 in Clydebank

Online Brandon Sterkel

Re: The date of the laying of the keel
« Reply #12 on: Jul 06, 2017, 01:10 AM »
Fantastic pictures of the QE2's building, Myles! Truly a historic moment when the keel was laid!
Queen Elizabeth 2: A 50 Year Legend!

Online Bob C.

Re: The date of the laying of the keel
« Reply #13 on: Jul 06, 2017, 02:38 AM »
Great photos!  52 years.

Offline June Ingram

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Re: The date of the laying of the keel
« Reply #14 on: Jul 06, 2017, 02:56 PM »
Awesome photos !!   :)
QE2 - the ship for all of time, a ship of timeless beauty !

Online Lynda Bradford

Re: The date of the laying of the keel
« Reply #15 on: Jul 05, 2018, 12:04 PM »
5 July 1965 the day QE2's Keel was launch and a day to remember in the history of QE2.  The date for laying the keel was to be 2 July but because of difficulties lifting the keel into place as explained in this post the ceremony was aborted and the keel laying took place on 5 July.


Excellent video footage:
Q4 (QE2) Keel Laying Videos.




« Last Edit: Jul 05, 2018, 12:06 PM by Lynda Bradford »
I was proud to be involved with planning QE2's 50 year conference in September 2017 in Clydebank

Offline Clydebuilt1971

Re: The date of the laying of the keel
« Reply #16 on: Jul 05, 2018, 01:16 PM »
Love these films - especially the part looking down the slip and ss Sheildhall sneaks past :)

Offline June Ingram

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Re: The date of the laying of the keel
« Reply #17 on: Jul 05, 2018, 08:03 PM »
Great to remember our QE2 on her anniversary.

Starting right with the laying of her keel, she did it her way !  :)
QE2 - the ship for all of time, a ship of timeless beauty !

Offline Barumfox

Re: The date of the laying of the keel
« Reply #18 on: Jul 07, 2018, 10:12 PM »
Great footage - although I thought the original keel laying date was 4th July - 125th anniversary of Britannia maiden voyage?

And yes - the footage of Clyde-built Shieldhall - performing her unglamorous but essential role is fitting at QE2's birth having been aboard her for QE2's final departure from UK on 11 November 2008 - cannot believe nearly 10 years ago already!

Gary

Offline June Ingram

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Re: The date of the laying of the keel
« Reply #19 on: Jul 07, 2019, 03:02 PM »
I am a couple of days late with my good wishes, but Happy Keel Laying Day to QE2 !  :)
QE2 - the ship for all of time, a ship of timeless beauty !

Online Lynda Bradford

Re: The date of the laying of the keel (QE2)
« Reply #20 on: Jul 06, 2023, 09:03 AM »
58 years ago this week was the ceremony for the laying of QE2's Keel, which didn't quite go to plan but

Quote from Michael Gallagher former Cunard Historian:
Quote
Originally the keel was to be laid on Friday 2 July 1965. The prefabricated section of the new ship's keel consisted of three 60-tonne sections 35.7 m (117 ft) long, 7 m (23 feet) wide and 1.9 m (6 ft 3 in) high.

Unfortunately it had not been stipulated that the prefabricated section being built in the workshops should weigh just 40 tonnes, to be within the combined lifting capabilities of two tower cranes adjoining the ship, which with the aid f a powerful winch would lift and pull the keep section into place. A rehearsal of the ceremony on the Wednesday evening before had gone very well but this good omen turned out to be misleading.

Lady Aberconway, the wife of John Brown's Chairman, was to perform the ceremony at 1000 hours, and more than a score of press and TV cameraman and about 30 journalists were there. Also present were Lord Aberconway and Sir John and Lady Brocklebank.

As the process began it rapidly became clear that something was wrong. Although the keel section initially moved a few inches it then stuck and refused to moved any further. Seemingly the weight of the keel was greater than the two cranes could manage, and the strain on the winch threatened to tear its concrete base out of the ground.

The embarrassing ceremony ended abruptly and the guests were quickly taken away to be entertained; fortunately press coverage was sympathetic.

The keel section was moved without fanfare into position onto the building docks on Monday 5 July.

Britannia left Liverpool on 4 July 1840. Those notes came directly from Cunard's Annual Report so even Cunard got the anniversary date wrong by a day!

Question for the technical minded people on the forum.  On the board with the keel number 736 - it says 1/2 inch per foot. Any idea what this calculation is based on e.g.  is it the footage of the length of the ship
I was proud to be involved with planning QE2's 50 year conference in September 2017 in Clydebank