Ask the Captain - William Cooper (Captain from 2009 to 2012 in Dubai)

[Rob Lightbody]

Captain Bill Cooper was Captain of QE2 from 2009 until the end of 2012.  He was employed by V-Ships, and hired to take the ship under her own steam to South Africa, for her new role there.  As we know, this fell through, and he then found himself in charge of a ship in 'warm layup' while plans for what to do with her came and went.



He has now retired, but has kindly offered to accept questions from us about this fascinating time.  I think it is important that as much of his story is captured as possible. 

Scott Clegg, who was the QE2 Project manager from 2008 until the end of 2012, is also now willing to answer your questions about that time, although not about anything after the end of 2012.  As many of us will remember, especially early on, this was a fascinating period when we were all desperate to know what was happening/not happening, and why.  Now is your chance to find out

Please submit questions for Captain "Bill" and Scott by the 2nd of August and then, as before for the other Captains, we'll submit all the questions at once to them to reply to.

Thank you, and thank you to Bill and Scott for agreeing to do this for us.

[Peter Mugridge]

Now, one particular question springs to mind - the handover from them to the present lot was at ridiculously short notice, but did he and the crew have any suspicions that something was about to happen and if so, how long before the handover was made did they have these suspicions?  What made them suspect something was up?

[cunardqueen]

When did Captain Cooper first realise that QE2 was to be his next command, and had he ever travelled on the ship or seen her before and when he took his first steps onboard was QE2 how he imagined her to be?
And if l dare ask , whats his thoughts on what should happen to QE2.....

Thanks for allowing us to ask these questions and for looking after QE2 on your watch...

[Jeff Taylor]

I'd be curious to know what his "marching orders" were in terms of maintaining and/or improving the ship during his time in charge.  Did the owners encourage any efforts at preserving or maintaining the ship, or did they "penny pinch" or second guess his recommendations or actions.  Finally, was he privy to any discussions or deliberations about her future.  Obviously to the extent he is comfortable answering.  Thanks.

[Alan Snelson]

Hello Captain Cooper, When QE2 moved in to dry dock Jan 2013 do you know if she was using any of her own engines or was she moved entirely by tugs? Also what is the extent of work required to make her ready to sail under her own power and was any work being undertaken towards that end?

[Lynda Bradford]

Thank-you to Captain Cooper for looking after QE2 while he was in charge of the ship and many thanks for agreeing to answer our questions. 

What was your reaction when you were asked to be Captain of the QE2 to take her to South Africa?  and at what point did you realise that your name would go down in history as a result of being part of QE2's story. 

Given that the plans to take her to South Africa fell through can you tell us a bit about your working life onboard the most famous ship in the world when she was in warm lay up. 

[Rod]

Captain Cooper, forst of all, THANKS!
What is your history?
After the SA trip fell through, did you ever do the "what if" thing? Imagine what it would be like to take "The greatest ship in the world" to another port.
Good luck and fair winds in your retirement!

[Twynkle]

QE2 was looking so good when we saw her in 2011.
Firstly - a great big thank-you to you and your Crew, Captain Cooper.

A couple of questions - when she tried to escape (when her mooring line snapped on 28th January 2011!), on discovering this - whereabouts where you?  And what on earth must you have felt, thought and done?

Please, are able to tell us something about the packing and stowage of all her pictures, heritage collection, tapestries, and statues etc? Do you think these, and other things like Queen Mary's piano and things from your Captain's quarters and the Wardroom etc have all been packed up well enough to survive the heat in tact?
All good wishes - and if you are in Glasgow on 27th July - we'd love it if you can join us on PS Waverley!
That would be extra-special!
Rosie.

[mgmike]

Hello Captain Cooper, firstly many thanks to you and your crew for the excellent care you provided QE2.

I wondered what it was like for you during your early period on board QE2, how difficult was it to learn all her systems and procedures given that all of the crew were fairly new to the ship?  We have heard that QE2 was a "one off" from an engineering perspective, as a Captain did you find her a difficult ship to learn?

[Mauretania1907]

Many thanks to you, your crew and V-ships for lookong after QE2.

[Alex Tarry]

I too would like to add my gratitude to Captain Cooper and his team for looking after the ship while it was under his command.

My question is, did they test the propellers in the run-up to the aborted South Africa trip, and how close were they to sailing before the voyage was cancelled.

Many thanks and all the best for your retirement...

Alex

[Chris]

I'd like to add my thanks and I hope that the copy of our book got to you safely via Natasha at GEM.

When did you first see QE2 (first time ever) and what was your impression then. How did it feel to step aboard as her Captain, and did she live up to your original impressions?

[pete cain]

I'd like to add my tribute to you & your staff for looking after QE2 whilst she was yours, thankyou.
  In your opinion, having seen her close up ,how long could she have remained at sea strutting her stuff?, I know folk on this forum say that Cunard looked after her till the end but, all those failures we're witness to, tell a different story don't you think?

[Lynda Bradford]

We are very pleased to announce that Scott Clegg, who was the QE2 Project manager from 2008 until the end of 2012, is also now willing to answer your questions about that time, although not about anything after the end of 2012.  As many of us will remember, especially early on, this was a fascinating period when we were all desperate to know what was happening/not happening, and why.  Now is your chance to find out

We have extended the deadline for submitting questions to 2nd of August and then, as before for the other Captains, we'll submit all the questions at once to them to reply to.

Thank you, and thank you to Bill and Scott for agreeing to do this for us.

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

Thank you, Captain Cooper, for your willingness to answer our questions -- and above all, thank you for the good care you gave to QE2 all the time you were in charge of her.

Did you already know QE2 before you became her Captain? When did you first set foot on her?

When you took over as her Captain, what sort of handover did you receive? Did you feel that your crew were sufficient in number, and sufficiently qualified, to sail her to Cape Town?

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

Thank you, Scott, for allowing us some insight into your no doubt fascinating time as QE2 Project manager.

Could you give us some idea of your work, balanced presumably between economic considerations for QE2 and the political environment in which you were based?

Were you ever aware of scrapping being a serious option for QE2?

Was there a final determining factor that led to an end of your own work and the handover of QE2 to the Oceanic team?

[Twynkle]

Thank you too, Scott.
The Christmas Tree was wonderful!
As QE2's 'resident', as well as Project Manager - we owe you much gratitude.
Having got very used to asking questions, and very soon realising that there would,
and could never be any answers - there was a big shock here one day, when you did!
By the way - was it you who managed to get the webcam lens cleaned?!
And might there be another that we can use now?

Just one more question, please - do you know whether any of the items taken off QE2 soon after she arrived in Dubai actually went to be sold, and either directly, or indirectly went to help other seafarers? Hope so!
Whatever you do in the future - all the very best,
Rosie
 

[Chris]

A question from "Jimmy" via email to me from my Cunard website:

Captain, please tell us what it was like aboard a nearly empty QE2. Was it at all eerie?

[Chris]

Another from "Janet", also via email a few days ago:

"Thank you for looking after QE2! How tempted where you to blow her whistle? What was the first time? What was it like to create that amazing sound?"

[Rob Lightbody]

OK I'm going to stop this topic now, and send the questions to Captain Cooper and Scott Clegg.

Answers soon I Hope!

Thanks very much to everybody for your excellent questions.

- Rob

[Chris]

Excellent! Looking forward to reading it.

[June Ingram]

OK I'm going to stop this topic now, and send the questions to Captain Cooper and Scott Clegg.

Answers soon I Hope!

Thanks very much to everybody for your excellent questions.

- Rob

Hi Rob - Is there a board where Captain Cooper and Scott Clegg have answered forum questions ?  I can't seem to locate it.  Thanks, June

[Rob Lightbody]

Hi Rob - Is there a board where Captain Cooper and Scott Clegg have answered forum questions ?  I can't seem to locate it.  Thanks, June

Not yet!  I had to remind him a few days ago, he apologised and said he'd forgotten!! 

[June Ingram]

Hi Rob - Thanks for the info.  June

[Rob Lightbody]

Captain Cooper assures me that he's filling in replies to our questions as I type this!

[Rod]

Probably too busy replying to the BS that he's getting on FB!

[Rob Lightbody]

Hi all,

I now have Captain Cooper's replies, and am putting together a nice web page for them - watch this space!  There are some fascinating replies.

He's not the best with computers, unfortunately, so I think he managed to lose his first reply in his ipad somewhere, hence the delay!  I have invited him to join us on the forum, and created a login for him, and he is keen, if he can manage it.

[June Ingram]

I shall very much look forward to the forthcoming information.  Thanks, Rob, for putting it together !

[Rob Lightbody]

I'm very sorry for the delay, but here it is now.

https://www.theqe2story.com/features/BillCooper.html

[Clydebuilt1971]

What an interesting read.

Thanks to both gents for taking the time and also to Rob for organising the page!

Gav

[Lynda Bradford]

Absolutely brilliant reading his response to our questions. Thanks to everyone who participated!

[Alan Snelson]

Great job putting this together Rob.

What a fascinating insight into some of the stuff going on behind the scenes and an interesting read.

[Peter Mugridge]

£22 million for the asbestos removal and associated works seems rather a lower quote than most of us were expecting; one has to wonder why it was not accepted especially in the context of over four years at about £500,000 a month just to keep her ticking over.

Put it this way - they spent more on keeping her "warm" than the essential works would have cost.

[June Ingram]

Thank you very much to Captain Cooper and to Scott Clegg for answering questions submitted by The Forum members, and thank you very much to Rob for putting together the replies for us.  The replies to the questions are certainly interesting and informative and provided much insight into what was transpiring while you were aboard and in charge of "The QE2 Project".  Thank you very much for all that you did for our beloved QE2.  After reading the final word, though, it reinforces to me at least how very alone QE2 is right now. 

[QE2forever]

Fascinating read, thank you Captain Cooper, Scott Clegg and of course Rob.

It makes me even more pessimistic about QE2's future, though...

[Rod]

Thanks to ALL concerned...especially for the promotion! Shame I didn't get the salary!

Now.... I may be way off base here, but that 22 mill figure that is being floated around.......to include asbestos removal and pipework replacement seems a bit far fetched to me!
I would have to see what was involved as far as their definition of asbestos!

[Chris]

Extremely interesting!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[andyh]

Thank you Captain, a very interesting insight to her time in Dubai

[jdl]

I've just read these replies and it makes the current situation even harder to get my head around (short of the obvious economic issues) - Captain Cooper and his crew clearly 'got' out beloved ship and what was required to keep her going.

One can only wonder where we would be now if she had either sailed to Cape Town or been properly converted in Dubai. 

[Rob Lightbody]

I wanted to share a little memory of mine from my visit to Dubai.

On my 2nd night there, Captain Cooper and his wife and daughter invited me to come out to dinner with them.  He had a lovely big black Volvo at the time, massive thing, with a V8 engine and big cream leather seats - sounded great.  Anyway, we had a lovely dinner and a few beers at the Seaman's mission, and he took me on a wee tour of Dubai before we headed back to the ship.  Imagine being chauffeured around Dubai by the captain of the QE2?  It certainly seemed a bit crazy to the guy who had been in Glasgow 36 hours before...

We got to the security gates to Port Rashid and they stopped him.  A new guy was on the gate, and Captain Cooper was accustomed to being waved through I think.  He said who he was and the security chap started rummaging in his paperwork.  Bear in mind that a very large, shiny QE2 is just to our side at this point, funnel smoking away and lights ablaze... (hard to miss) - a few more moments passed and he muttered something to us and then bellowed to the security guard "I AM THE CAPTAIN OF THE QE2!  I AM COMING THROUGH!!!" and he gave a big shove on the accelerator, and they had to yank the gate up just in time.

It just always makes me smile when I remember it.  QE2 might not have been going anywhere, but he was so proud, and was doing his damndest to make sure she was looked after properly.  In his eyes, retired or not, she was exactly the same as she had always been.  I feel privileged to have known QE2 in that "post Cunard" time, and to have known that crew and their Captain.

[June Ingram]

Very well said, Rob !

[Brandon Sterkel]

Great story, Rob!

[ship pro]

Yes he is a great guy.

[Lynda Bradford]

Wonderful story and Captain Cooper is will go down in history as a QE2 Captain