QE2 goes "home" to Liverpool - 24 July 1990

[Michael Gallagher]

The first time a Cunard Queen had gone 'home' - 24 July 1990. The first time I set eyes on her. And the firework display remains the most fantastic I have ever seen...

[Peter Mugridge]

First picture - the photographer has managed to capture the rainbow effect in the spray from the fireboat. 

[Lynda Bradford]

Brilliant set of photos that capture the occasion.

[cunardqueen]

  The first time a Cunard Queen had gone 'home' - 24 July 1990. The first time I set eyes on her.   

Guess she made a lasting impression...
Thanks for sharing the impressive photos.

[Twynkle]

Hello Michael

The first time a Cunard Queen had gone 'home' - 24 July 1990. The first time I set eyes on her. And the firework display remains the most fantastic I have ever seen...

This is interesting, and evocative!
Didn't Queen Mary, or Queen Elizabeth , or Berengaria even -ever sail from Liverpool?
Also - whereabouts were you when you first saw QE2?  She must have looked amazing from the other side of the river.
Those pier head buildings make a superb back drop to the fireworks - and although I miss it still ('56 it went!) - if the railway had still be there, the view wouldn't have been as good.
All your Liverpool images are absolutely wonderful - thanks so much for them.

[June Ingram]

Thank you very much, Michael, for these wonderful photos of our QE2 !  What a wonderful memory for your first view of her.  Those who set eyes on our beloved QE2 are smitten and remain so !   

[Louis De Sousa]

I was onboard on this day a memorable day indeed.This was my 3rd on QE2 sadly still had no camera then.

[Louis De Sousa]

Today back in 1990 what a day it was ,mostly likely the most memorable day of my time onboard

[Andy Holloway]

Visiting Liverpool on QE2 was one of the standout port calls of my time onboard.

The sheer numbers who wanted to come onboard as guests of passengers made it impossible to allow any passenger visitors whatsoever, and even crew were limited in numbers.

But the most memorable thing was seeing people stood, knee deep in water, as we sailed out of the Mersey just to be able to get a photo that couple of metres closer, just amazing.

[Rod]

I wish I had been there! After 3 years of college in Liverpool, I have kind of an affinity for the place and people! And pubs...of course!

[Louis De Sousa]

Anniversary day remember it as if it was yesterday

[Rob Lightbody]

I am guessing some of our members have newspaper clippings from the day... I was wondering how we go about getting some of them onto this topic?

[Thomas Hypher]

I am guessing some of our members have newspaper clippings from the day... I was wondering how we go about getting some of them onto this topic?

Scan them unless there are legal issues with doing so? Maybe permission will need to be sought from the relevant newspapers?

[Rob Lightbody]

Scan them unless there are legal issues with doing so? Maybe permission will need to be sought from the relevant newspapers?

I think old newspaper clippings are fine.

[Mike McCann]

I was on board for my honeymoon. It was an amazing cruise, the highlight being the one million people on the banks of the mersey singing Ferry Across The Mersey as the fireworks went off and The QE2 cruised out of Liverpool. I have so much memorabilia form the cruise including newspapers from every port of call. The Liverpool Echo ran a special edition - pics attached.

[Rob Lightbody]

I found this video yesterday.

It's terrible quality, but it totally captures the moood on board a ferry that day, and the excitement of seeing her.  There are a few nice comments about how beautiful she is etc.

[Thomas Hypher]

I found this video yesterday.

It's terrible quality, but it totally captures the moood on board a ferry that day, and the excitement of seeing her.  There are a few nice comments about how beautiful she is etc.

Wonderful footage, particularly of her underway, really brings a smile to one's face and brings back several memories.

[Andy Holloway]

Visiting Liverpool on QE2 was one of the standout port calls of my time onboard.

The sheer numbers who wanted to come onboard as guests of passengers made it impossible to allow any passenger visitors whatsoever, and even crew were limited in numbers.

But the most memorable thing was seeing people stood, knee deep in water, as we sailed out of the Mersey just to be able to get a photo that couple of metres closer, just amazing.

On one of our visits to Liverpool, during a 'Round UK' cruise, due to the sheer numbers of Brits onboard, plus with the QE2 being at anchor, it was decided that there would be no visitors. However, 'local' crew who for whatever reason would be unable to go ashore would, with special permission from St Capt, be allowed only 2 'covert' guests!  All requests were to be made in person, through the Chief Security Officer, with the St Capt's decision being final!
In all i think we only had about 20 visitors, which was still a problem when 'certain' passengers found out, sadly some crew cannot keep their mouths shut!
Anyway to continue, as my wife was travelling with me on that trip we often had dinner with the St Capt and in conversation one evening my wife mentioned that she was going ashore to meet some very good friends from home who now lived on the Wirral, he was the Vicar of a parish in Upton.
The next day the St Capt ' said to me, why didn't my wife bring them onboard. To which i 'reminded' him of the visitors policy for Liverpool, his reply was if the Chief Security Officer - and his wife - couldn't be trusted to be discrete, then there was no hope for anybody else!
On the day, i was even able to make personalised visitors passes for our friends which they have to this day.
They thoroughly enjoyed their visit, including lunch in the Officer's Wardroom and tea in the Queens Room, before disembarking as late as possible. They were a bit let down with the size of The Chief Security Officer's cabin, imagining it to be much larger, more in line with the 'luxury' image on EVERYTHING on QE2!

We visited them late last year and to this day, over 20 years later, they still remember that day with great affection.

[Jeff Mahler]

I found this video yesterday.

It's terrible quality, but it totally captures the moood on board a ferry that day, and the excitement of seeing her.  There are a few nice comments about how beautiful she is etc.

In preparation for this visit, we had stacked loudspeakers on top of the stowed tender docks and blasted Beatle's music across the channel as we came in.
It took about 30 of us 6 hours to blow up those 10,000 balloons that morning in the Lido. We released them by opening the Magra-dome. This is the first time I've seen it from the outside, as as few of us were madly herding them out from the inside with brooms. I can' believe how long the release lasted. Thanks for the video.

[Rob Lightbody]

In preparation for this visit, we had stacked loudspeakers on top of the stowed tender docks and blasted Beatle's music across the channel as we came in.
It took about 30 of us 6 hours to blow up those 10,000 balloons that morning in the Lido. We released them by opening the Magra-dome. This is the first time I've seen it from the outside, as as few of us were madly herding them out from the inside with brooms. I can' believe how long the release lasted. Thanks for the video.

The balloons look fabulous, and it's even more fabulous to have a first hand eye witness!!  Does it feel like 30 years?