QE2 Dry Docking March 2018

[Twynkle]

I thought it was more black than grey, is federal grey a Cunard trade mark?

Hi Pete
Really good to see you back!
Federal Gray is /has been The Cunard hull colour, and I believe used on All Cunard's ships except wehen QE2 turned that rather strange post-Falklands grey!
However, we probably need Flagship to confirm that this was always the case!
All the very best to you both
Rosie

[Trevor Harris]

Federal Gray is /has been The Cunard hull colour, and I believe used on All Cunard's ships except when QE2 turned that rather strange post-Falklands grey!

Rosie says it best.. 

[Thomas Hypher]

Hi Pete
Really good to see you back!
Federal Gray is /has been The Cunard hull colour, and I believe used on All Cunard's ships except wehen QE2 turned that rather strange post-Falklands grey!
However, we probably need Flagship to confirm that this was always the case!
All the very best to you both
Rosie

QE2 used Midnight Blue instead of Federal Grey between late 1994 and 1999, one part of the "Project Lifestyle" refit. Post Falklands and her refit, from August 1982 to sometime in mid to late 1983 was the light grey that was called "Pebble Grey". As you have said, she's been Federal Grey otherwise.

Previous Cunarders have been painted white (the first Mauretania towards the end of her career, for example) and different shades of green (the second Caronia, the "Green Goddess", and the second Mauretania towards the end of her career).

[Rob Lightbody]

She looks very good. I would think that they would have at least have put the new logo with black lettering instead of white with black background..

I'm sure you're only seeing it mid application, like the backing sticker

[Trevor Harris]

Most likely.

[Thomas Hypher]

I'm sure you're only seeing it mid application, like the backing sticker

It's not the finished logo in the photo.

[Rob Lightbody]

Change of plan QE2 will have in the morning her dock only half full with water she will now float out on the 29th

Fantastic. They must have read my post and decided they should organise something.

[Scott Ebersold]

I thought it was more black than grey, is federal grey a Cunard trade mark?

Federal Grey was the name of paint color QE2 was painted at least from 1998 forward, and yes, appeared very close to black.

QE2 used Midnight Blue instead of Federal Grey between late 1994 and 1999, one part of the "Project Lifestyle" refit. Post Falklands and her refit, from August 1982 to sometime in mid to late 1983 was the light grey that was called "Pebble Grey".

Very true! We have a topic on QE2's colors that has a fascinating chart near the bottom of the topic with all the colors she's been. It's surprising how many colors have been used!

https://www.theqe2story.com/forum/index.php?topic=356.0

[Twynkle]

... and Mauritania was a grey black razzle dazzle as camouflage too!

[Bob C.]

Not sure what you mean about the sacrificial thingies - whereabouts are they?

Rosie, the sacrificial anodes are the white or metallic dots in a line along the hull near the bottom - see the photo in reply number 223.  The anodes, usually blocks of zinc, help reduce hull corrosion deterioration.  Without them the hull corrodes and with them the anodes corrode instead of the hull - thus making the anodes sacrificial.

[Thomas Hypher]

... and Mauritania was a grey black razzle dazzle as camouflage too!

Indeed the first Mauretania was for a time in WW1 but as an HMT (Hired Merchant Transport - not His Majesty's Troopship) so wasn't really under Cunard's control even though they would've operated her on behalf of our government and Admiralty under orders. Therefore I'm not sure that livery counts as a Cunard livery.

[skilly56]

Lovely photo of her in the dock.

Just gotta hope they have got the anodes right - normally a set of calculations is done to determine how many anodes are required to be fitted to combat the potential corrosion caused by impressed current voltages passing between the sea water and the hull. However, now the machinery is all shut down, the impressed current values will be different from when she was operational. Damaged can be caused by actually over-anoding the hull for the condition she is now in.

However, anodes are not cheap, so they are prepared to spend money to protect her hull - a good sign.
Photos below show three anodes that have worked well, and have another 12 months life left in them (maybe?), and an anode that wont function as the shipyard have left it covered with tape, then painted over it! Found 30 like this, so I delayed the undocking while the workers got themselves and the cherry pickers activated to remove the covers. Bad inspection by the dock superintendent! Batam!

Skilly

[Thomas Hypher]

Federal Grey was the name of paint color QE2 was painted at least from 1998 forward, and yes, appeared very close to black.

Very true! We have a topic on QE2's colors that has a fascinating chart near the bottom of the topic with all the colors she's been. It's surprising how many colors have been used!

https://www.theqe2story.com/forum/index.php?topic=356.0

I recently read that topic, although I may have read it some years ago. Very interesting! Personally I've always been fond of the Admiralty/MOD test blue boot topping she had for a bit in the late 70s, early 80s that most people are not keen on.

[Scott Ebersold]

Lovely photo of her in the dock.

Just gotta hope they have got the anodes right - normally a set of calculations is done to determine how many anodes are required to be fitted to combat the potential corrosion caused by impressed current voltages passing between the sea water and the hull. However, now the machinery is all shut down, the impressed current values will be different from when she was operational. Damaged can be caused by actually over-anoding the hull for the condition she is now in.

However, anodes are not cheap, so they are prepared to spend money to protect her hull - a good sign.
Photos below show three anodes that have worked well, and have another 12 months life left in them (maybe?), and an anode that wont function as the shipyard have left it covered with tape, then painted over it! Found 30 like this, so I delayed the undocking while the workers got themselves and the cherry pickers activated to remove the covers. Bad inspection by the dock superintendent! Batam!

Skilly

You learn something new every day!  Anodes!

http://www.dynamicscience.com.au/tester/solutions1/chemistry/corrosion%5Crustpreventionsacanode.htm

[Chris Thompson]

Ok, here's one for the engineers, what is the grey finned structure forward of the props, cooling fins, anode?