Stewart Stevenson : Former John Brown's worker (or maybe not)

[Michael Gallagher]

Thomas is correct - QE2 is shown in her re-engining configuration so the images dates from 1988 as she was being re-engined during the tradaitional World Cruise time in 1987. Her Auckland - my favourite city I visited on QE2 - dates are:

9 and 10 February 1988
7 March 1989
No visit in 1990 thanks to Japanese Charter
1 February 1991
2 February 1992

And the original Royal Viking ships - Royal Viking Star, Royal Viking Sky and Royal Viking Sea - shared several different design elements to QE2 including funnel, layout, columns in main lounge. They were being designed hot on the heels of QE2 introduction so she had a big influence on their design.

[Lynda Bradford]

Hello Stephen, welcome to the QE2 Story forum.  I am impressed with the response you have had from our members to the picture you posted, which has generated lots of discussion.  Looking forward to hearing more from you on the forum.

I also originate from Clydebank, was there at the time of QE2's launch and I also have fond memories of touring the ship in November 1968 before she left Clydebank.  I remember walking down the stairs from the double up double down room and the escalator linking the kitchen to the restaurant.  The whole ship looked very luxurious.  You may be interested in having a look at this Scottish Screen Archive film of people going through the John Brown's gate handing over their ticket before going onto the ship.  You can see there was a bit of ice on the ground as the security man was spreading salt on the ground. 
https://www.theqe2story.com/forum/index.php/topic,6010.msg6946.html#msg6946

[Louis De Sousa]

Looks like a capture from her 1992 World Cruise

[Trevor Harris]

I must agree with that. Trevor, how did you recognise her (or one of her identical sisters) so quickly? Most impressive.

You and Thomas (and no doubt other members of this illustrious Forum) are walking and writing encyclopedias!

I have become familiar with those ships, mostly because of her funnel.  Crazy right?!

[June Ingram]

Hello Stewart ! and welcome to The QE2 Story Forum.  Your photo is great and I am looking forward to hearing more about your experiences !   

[Trevor Harris]

Michael, I'm aware QE2 kept one of her original forward cranes (the starboard one) for a few years after 1987. Do you know when this was removed? The documentary "QE2 The Last Great Liner" shows her without it in 1994 just prior to the Project Lifestyle refit, I think it may have been removed at Blohm and Voss in Hamburg post Martha's Vineyard or when Echo engine was replaced by Son of Echo by cutting a hole in her side? After that she only had the more modern forward crane installed in 1987 (still onboard today). If we know when that was we could try to date Stewart's photo better if we can make out enough detail on her foredeck.

I see the Alpha and Beta tender davits. So early 1990’s.

[Thomas Hypher]

I see the Alpha and Beta tender davits. So early 1990’s.

Alpha and Beta were added in 1983 or 1984 around the time the magrodome was added. Stewart's photo shows her post 1987 (1988 for her to be in Auckland as per Michael's records) so it could be late 1980s too.

[Twynkle]

Hi Guys
Might these be of any help - have you checked them out already?
https://www.theqe2story.com/forum/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=35

[Stewart Stevenson]

Many thanks for all the fascinating information and due to this I have
been able find two entries in my log book that matched the dates when I
flew that route and she was in port at Princes wharf in Auckland. The dates
were 7th March 1989 and 2nd February 1992 but which one ?.
Then it occurred to me that if you look at the bottom left of the picture that
area the viaduct was developed in mid 1989 to cater for the upcoming arrival of the
Whitbread Around The World Yacht Race Fleet that was due to arrive on January 1990
and later for the Americas Cup,again looking at my logbook I was flying back
from Great Barrier Island empty,so it has to be 7th March 1989 as in 1992 that area
would be fully developed. A gap in my memory dually solved thanks to you wonderful
members.

Thanks to everyone.

Ill be posting other memories of her once i dig out the info.   

[Thomas Hypher]

Many thanks for all the fascinating information and due to this I have
been able find two entries in my log book that matched the dates when I
flew that route and she was in port at Princes wharf in Auckland. The dates
were 7th March 1989 and 2nd February 1992 but which one ?.
Then it occurred to me that if you look at the bottom left of the picture that
area the viaduct was developed in mid 1989 to cater for the upcoming arrival of the
Whitbread Around The World Yacht Race Fleet that was due to arrive on January 1990
and later for the Americas Cup,again looking at my logbook I was flying back
from Great Barrier Island empty,so it has to be 7th March 1989 as in 1992 that area
would be fully developed. A gap in my memory dually solved thanks to you wonderful
members.

Thanks to everyone.

Ill be posting other memories of her once i dig out the info.   

Collective/combined knowledge is amazing for sure! Looking forward to seeing and reading your other QE2 memories 

[Lynda Bradford]

I have now split and merged the discussion on QE2 Cranes, so that you continue this discussion on the QE2 Cranes topic and forum members can continue to welcome Stewart here.

QE2 Cranes topic

https://www.theqe2story.com/forum/index.php/topic,1229.msg13213.html#msg13213