Author Topic: QE2's Speed !  (Read 62562 times)

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Online Rob Lightbody

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Re: Speed !
« Reply #30 on: Nov 23, 2009, 04:19 PM »
It was actually after the sea trials, with a nearly full complement of 'shakedown' passengers, and while Lorna Dallas sang in the new Grand Lounge - it was quite something - and the vibrations shook the coloured filters off some of the spotlights above!  Taking shakedown a little literally i think!

I don't have BP's book here, but his speed trials figure was about a knot slower than that... maybe they adjusted something after the trials, and wanted to check it 'on the way home'.

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 junglejames

Re: Speed !
« Reply #31 on: Nov 23, 2009, 04:54 PM »
Hello James - and it's good that you have joined us!

It sounds as if there might be fun to be had, 'racing ships'!
Was QE2 really a target for beating?  :)


I dont think anybody has set out to build a faster conventional vessel, but was just saying she was very nearly overtaken as the fastest merchant vessel.
If anybody wants to know what these B class look like, take a visit to Loch Striven!! A few of them are laid up there!!

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Offline Isabelle Prondzynski

Re: Speed !
« Reply #32 on: Nov 23, 2009, 11:26 PM »
Not sure, but she did 33.8 in 1987 when returning from Bremerhaven to Southampton with me on board!  (Source for this exact figure is bruce peter's book)

This is quite amazing. The target for the refit was a maximum speed of 32.5 knots and a cruising speed of 28.5 knots. The refit exceeded the shipyard's own target!

Offline junglejames

Re: Speed !
« Reply #33 on: Nov 24, 2009, 08:30 AM »
When companies state a maximum speed they usually require the vessel to be able to reach that speed at around 90% engine power, as they dont really want to run the vessel at 100%.

So the 33.8 knots was probably reached at 100%, just to see what the vessel could do. That makes sense considering this speed was reached on the way back from drydock, but we havent seen this speed since.

So its possible the vessel hasnt exceeded requirements.

James

Online Rob Lightbody

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Re: Speed !
« Reply #34 on: Nov 24, 2009, 10:02 AM »
Her in cabin TV's were reporting 32.8 knots in March last year when she needed to make up some time... pretty impressive for a ship 8 months away from retirement!  Theres a photo earlier in this topic I think (or elsewhere).

Moderator's comment (with apologies to Rob!) : It is here :

https://www.theqe2story.com/forum/index.php/topic,57.msg367.html#msg367
« Last Edit: Nov 24, 2009, 10:28 AM by Isabelle Prondzynski »
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 Chris

Re: Speed !
« Reply #35 on: Nov 24, 2009, 10:37 AM »
What she'd give to 'stretch her legs' again, eh!
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Offline highlander0108

Re: Speed !
« Reply #36 on: Nov 24, 2009, 05:14 PM »
Well, if they put a that high tech antifouling that QM2 had recently applied, I bet that speed could be exceeded.   Sadly, she sits, and her bottom and props becoming fouled with inactivity.   :'(
« Last Edit: Nov 24, 2009, 11:31 PM by highlander0108 »
"There will never be another one like her" QE2's last Master Ian McNaught
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Online Rob Lightbody

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Re: Speed !
« Reply #37 on: Nov 24, 2009, 07:32 PM »

With the new engine she could make 28.5 knots just with 85% of her engine power.

I've been checking that figure with an expert, and apparently she could achieve 28.5 knots on just 6 or 7 engines, depending on conditions - between 67% and 78% power approximately.

Basically, in order to maintain the scheduled 5 night Atlantic service, she had to easily EXCEED 29 knots, WITH redundancy left over for engine failure.
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 Kindlychap

Re: Speed !
« Reply #38 on: Nov 30, 2009, 08:59 PM »
Cheers Rob,
She definitely still holds the record as the fastest merchant vessel then.

James

Don't forget SS United States. Far, far faster than QE2.

Matthew
RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 - Sic Transit Gloria Mundi

Online Rob Lightbody

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Re: Speed !
« Reply #39 on: Nov 30, 2009, 09:11 PM »
Don't forget SS United States. Far, far faster than QE2.

Yes indeed!  However definitely not capable of it today whereas QE2 just about is!
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.

cos918

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Re: Speed !
« Reply #40 on: Dec 01, 2009, 05:02 PM »
one to give QE2 a good race was Finnjet. she could hit 33.4 knots and if she had the new stronger gear box's she would go faster. 0 to 30 knots 3mins not bad for a 50 000 ton ferry.

John

Offline cunardqueen

Re: Speed !
« Reply #41 on: Dec 03, 2009, 11:06 PM »
And Cunard call it a cruise at this speed......
<broken image link removed>


The night before landing in Southampton that amused me, if you look closely you can see us going round in circles, Not once but twice !!!!
<broken image link removed>
« Last Edit: Mar 19, 2022, 04:27 PM by Rob Lightbody »
From the moment you first glimpsed the Queen,
 you just knew you were in for a very special time ahead.!

Offline foreshore

Re: Speed !
« Reply #42 on: Dec 08, 2009, 02:37 AM »

Just to compliment Robs previous image, I managed to capture 30.1 knots as QE2 effortlessly stretched her legs leaving Southampton on her 'final' departure :)

Online Rob Lightbody

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Re: Speed !
« Reply #43 on: Dec 08, 2009, 10:45 PM »
Thanks Rob - and this was definitely on "only" 8 engines - fact.   ;D
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 highlander0108

Re: Speed !
« Reply #44 on: Dec 09, 2009, 12:00 AM »
How long did she run at top speed?  I suspected Captain McNaught would "stretch her legs" for one final time.  I wonder if Cunard handed her over with empty tanks too.  Why not?
"There will never be another one like her" QE2's last Master Ian McNaught
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