QE2's last days as a steam ship

[bobso]

Three videos to look at---

[riskygizmo]

Thanks Bobso for posting these and thanks to John "Shillingworth" for bunging them on You Tube.

[Rod]

I just found those today myself!

[cunardqueen]

Ironic in that exactly 25 years ago we were enroute to New York on the "new" QE2.....

[Bob C.]

Interesting video.  I'd like to get your opinions on the commentary.

[cunardqueen]

Interesting video.  I'd like to get your opinions on the commentary.

 

Its probably a sad reflection on the UK at the time, that they didnt get the major contract. Lets not forget the UK did gain some of the work so we didnt lose out all together.
 Charles Wheeler the reporter was always noted for his factual reporting and went onto the Newsnight programme.He appears to give a very balanced view on this feature. Had the refit been done in the UK just what state would QE2 have sailed in.... 

Blue Peter did a report from the final crossing, and as l sat glued to the TV watching my ship in the bad weather, I at that time never imagined l would be on her voyages six month later.

I remember even all these years later the chairman of Lloyd Werft saying that they as main contractors accepted responsibility for the contract but were in the end let down by some of the smaller sub contractors.
Anyone who sailed on QE2 before the refit and then sailed afterwards, couldnt be more surprised at just how much the QE2 had changed. I was on the round trip crossing and was very fortunate in that being seated on the Staff Captains table we did glean a load of information about various things.

And one thing which did fill me (as an impressionable teenager) with awe was the comment by an officer during Dinner that really QE2 shouldnt have sailed on this Maiden Voyage, BUT the eyes of the world were upon us and people were travelling from all over for this unique voyage, and really QE2 had to set sail, Given the fact she wasnt quite ready it would all be sorted by the time we arrived back in Southampton (it wasnt!!) and that we as passengers were sailing into the history books, ok so perhaps QE2 wasnt quite ready, but we were being given some refunds, and he asked us how we would have felt had Cunard called us a few days ago and said oh by the way the crossings are cancelled, heres your money back ! we all agreed on our table that we were pleased that Cunard never made that phone call, we were having such good fun, and the prospect of some money back was ever better.But then Im sure that officer could have sold sand to Dubai...

[Rob Lightbody]

It must have been incredibly frustrating for the German yard and the project management team. 

All the incredibly complex engineering went extremely well - a task that some thought was not even possible. It was the "simple" things that went wrong.  For instance the plumbing that had been emptied for months (for the first time in 20 years...), sprang hundreds of leaks everywhere when reactivated.  This then caused knock-on delays everywhere as it was tackled.

What is astounding for Britain is how, in the space of the 18 years between 1968 and 1986, we went from being able to create QE2 with almost all British manpower and materials, to being unable to refit her.

[Rod]

Rob, it was also incredibly frustrating for the crew that were on the front lines, mopping up, changing pipes, calming pax etc...But for so many refits it was the same. I almost understand Cunards logic, and of course, the face that Senior Officers had to put on it.
But , unless you have "been there, done that, got the t-shirt" you have no idea of the amount of hours put in by mostly the Engineering Dept, clearing up after a refit. Of course no overtime for the crew so most work done by Officers in all depts.
Make no mistake, the request for work was put in well before refit time but so much would be rejected because of cost!

[Rob Lightbody]

Rod,

Was a lot learned from the big refit that was then actually applied to later ones?


Sent from my phone using Tapatalk.

[Chris]

Fascinating Video:

[Graham Taylor]

With an interview of Chris Chillingworth Chief Engineer (one of the persons behind the QE2 London bid I understand)

Not seen that, fascinating report.

[highlander0108]

I completely missed this one too.  Absolutely facinating in so many ways.  From over the pond, some cannot understand the facination with QE2.  This video shows she was and still is a household name.  No wonder she still holds attention as one of the UK's finest examples of shipbuilding.  This video was moving to me as I only caught a brief glimpse of her once while still under steam power, moored in Ft. Lauderdale in 1983 and she looked tired. 

[Rod]

Sorry!!! I have been remiss!!! How unusual you will all say!
To answer Robs question from May 2012...NO!
But moving house has its advantages...here is a pic...hope it will fit:
The Last Steam Engineering Crew!

[Rod]

NOW!!! That is a funnel ! Not one of those suck, squeeze, bang, blow funnels!

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

The Last Steam Engineering Crew!

Great picture, Rod! Now I would love to know who is who, and where is Rod...

[Adam Hodson]

You don't realise how big that funnel is until someone stands near it!

[Rod]

Rod is in the Officers row 8th from the left!

[riskygizmo]

With my little old dad immediately on your right, I believe.

[Rod]

With my little old dad immediately on your right, I believe.

You are correct! And your unrisky namesake 3rd from the left!

[cunardqueen]

  You don't realise how big that funnel is until someone stands near it!   

Those who did the "Funnel run(s)" will vouch to that..

[Lynda Bradford]

George C Griffiths mentioned to me this video about why QE2 was not re-engined in a UK yard. 

There has been previous discussion on this video in early post but it is such an excellent video that it is worth another viewing.