Author Topic: 1982 QE2 Post Falklands refit  (Read 2913 times)

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Online Lynda Bradford

1982 QE2 Post Falklands refit
« on: Jun 21, 2018, 09:56 AM »
1982 Post Falklands Refit

Quote
We can only provide this information thanks to the research work of Michael Gallagher.  Please do not copy without his permission

Timescale: nine weeks
Date: 11 June – 13 August
Contractor:  Vosper Thornycroft, Southampton
TOTAL COST: £7 million ($11.8 million)

The British Government contributed £2 million ($3.4 million) for repairs and conversion with Cunard taking the opportunity to make further improvements, investing a further £5 million ($8.4 million).

Costs were broken down as follows (approximate values):

   Revenue £1,603,000
   Capital   £1,851,500
   Damage £141,000
   Furnishings £437,000
   Technical Stores   £358,000
   Repairs and Renewals   £304,000
   Spare Gear £397,000
   Overhaul £1.3 million
   Capital Additions £2.4 million

11 June 1982: Queen Elizabeth 2 returned home to a Royal welcome at Southampton following her trooping duties in the Falkland Islands.

14 June 1982: removal of the forward and aft flight decks

20 June 1982: QE2 entered the King George V Dry Dock for maintenance work to her underwater areas while the refurbishment continued.

20 July 1982: QE2 (67,703 ton) was moved to dock 107 where she was berthed near to the P&O flagship Canberra (44,807 ton), which was also being refurbished after service in the South Atlantic.  This was the first time Cunard and P&O flagships had berthed so close together.

13 August 1982: QE2 was delivered back to Cunard. 


The work undertaken by the necessity of this refit negated the need for the planned 17 day overhaul (27 November to 14 December 1982) that had been built into the original 1982 schedule. This period was combined with the 14 December Southampton – New York crossing and the new schedule had QE2 operating:

   28 – 30 November - Southampton – Cherbourg – Southampton
    2 – 7  December - Southampton – Boston
    8 – 18 December - Boston – Boston via the Caribbean
   18 – 19 December - Boston – New York
« Last Edit: Jul 24, 2022, 06:48 PM by Lynda Bradford »
I was proud to be involved with planning QE2's 50 year conference in September 2017 in Clydebank
www.qe2event.com

Online Lynda Bradford

Re: 1982 QE2 Post Falklands refit
« Reply #1 on: Jun 21, 2018, 09:57 AM »
EXTERIOR - A major change was QE2’s external colour scheme

Hull: The dark-grey hull was repainted in a light pebble grey that was almost white. The boot-topping remained red.

The ship’s name and homeport on the bow and stern were painted black.

Funnel: For the first time, the funnel was redone in the traditional Cunard red with two black bands.

“The ‘new look’ was on the instruction of Cunard’s Chairman Lord Matthews, who, being an ex-Navy man, thought his Falklands veteran would look becoming with a hull in a shade close to naval grey. Moreover, now 14 years old and assumed to be approaching mid-life, it was felt that the ship needed to be re-launched in civilian service with a new identity so the new look had the goal being to give the ‘new’ QE2 a symbolic and exciting appearance.”
I was proud to be involved with planning QE2's 50 year conference in September 2017 in Clydebank
www.qe2event.com

Online Lynda Bradford

Re: 1982 QE2 Post Falklands refit
« Reply #2 on: Jun 21, 2018, 10:02 AM »
PASSENGER AREAS

Dennis Lennon, the original co-ordinator of all QE2’s 1960's interiors was commissioned to lead the design team. The company was keen to ensure that any changes made at this time would fit in with long-term target marketing of the ship.


RESTAURANTS

Queens Grill:At a cost of £400,000 the Queens Grill was enlarged and redesigned by Dennis Lennon to create a “cool, elegant and classic ambience”. The new design of cobalt blue, cream and green with silver trim included new wall coverings, rich new sycamore panelling, new richly upholstered blue velvet chairs in a classic design, a new carpet with a dark blue geometric pattern, Italian tiles and 17 original paintings by world renowned artist Romain de Tirtoff, known as Erte. To provide a dramatic centrepiece, a seashell sculpture, lit from below, was installed.

Queens Grill Cocktail Lounge:In order to encourage greater use of the area, the Queens Grill Lounge was redesigned along similar lines to the Grill with a new small cocktail bar (covered in Italian tiles with a navy blue flower motif and a blue mirror) being built and comfortable oversized chairs, upholstered in special French, Italian and English fabrics, being installed and arranged in intimate seating groups.

Tables of the World Restaurant:The five dining areas were refurbished with new carpets, artwork and upholstery. The Oriental dining area / section received new chairs.

NEW PUBLIC ROOMS

Club Lido

Phase One: Q4 Room (which had been eliminated during the Falklands conversion for war to accommodate the aft heli-pads) was expanded, redecorated and renamed the Club Lido, a dual purpose room where passengers could enjoy an open air buffet during the day but in the evening it was used for entertainment and dancing. 
Phase Two: involving the installation of the Magrodome, would be completed in the 1983 refit.

“The bar was repositioned temporarily to the port side, new sliding smoked glass doors were fitted at the after end leading onto the open deck and a larger dance floor was fitted. New recessed lighting was installed. This created a much lighter and therefore more versatile room.

The new décor consisted of orange, reds, greens and greys with slate-grey upholstered chairs and banquettes, sleek black stools at the bar, soft white walls and warm orange carpeting.

New custom-made buffet equipment would be installed in October 1982 that would enable salads and health foods to be served.”

Golden Door Health Spa: Originally installed as a temporary programme for QE2’s 1982 World Cruise, the Golden Door programme, offered by the world-renowned Golden Door Health Spa of Encino (California), proved to be one of the most popular attractions of the voyage. Passenger response was so overwhelming that in April 1982 Cunard and Golden Door finalised an agreement to make the floating spa a permanent part of QE2’s on board offering. The spa’s inauguration was interrupted by QE2’s Falklands service.

During the reconversion to passenger ship the Six Deck health facilities and indoor swimming pool complex were completely revamped. The Turkish Baths were removed and the space was transformed into the “world’s first floating spa” at a cost of $365,000.

The room as a whole was done in the ‘California Modern style’ – a light, airy environment decorated in buttercup, tawny and beige all set off by tropical plants and clean architectural lines. The centre featured the original large indoor pool with a new platform of teak that could be lowered into the pool for hydro calisthenics. Other facilities included a large mirrored exercise area with ballet barres, three large Jacuzzi whirlpool baths (these replaced the Turkish Baths) set off by black tiles and special lighting that spotlighted the whirling motion of the water, saunas and a climate-controlled gymnasium. Music could be piped into the area.

Players Club Lounge: A new lounge (complete with a new ’L’ shaped bar) was created in the port side promenade between the Casino and the entrance of the Tables of the World Restaurant. The stylish décor consisted of beiges, greens and mink brown velour with marble tables with striking glass lamps, each crowned with trailing plants, giving the area a garden-like atmosphere.

A new dividing system could easily shut the Casino off from the lounge allowing passengers to take full advantage of the new lounge even when QE2 was in port.

Teenage centre: A special area for teens was furnished with video games and other equipment.

EXISTING PUBLIC ROOMS

Casino: The Casino was renamed The Players Club and was expanded and totally redecorated with a new colour scheme of rich green leather bulkheads, gold velvet curtains, a green and beige carpet and a new entrance way. Access to the Casino was now possible through the Tables of the World Restaurant.

General Refurbishment

- 17 miles of carpeting was cleaned and renewed where necessary.
- The Burma teak decking was renewed and replaced by hand.
- Thousands of feet of flooring and trim was scrubbed and polished.
- Artwork, furniture and china, removed during QE2’s conversion to troopship, was brought out of storage and returned to their former locations on board.
- Outdoor sports facilities were improved and re-designed.

PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION: All but 27 cabins were surveyed and refurbishment work was undertaken where necessary. Those cabins not surveyed were done so after the refit.
I was proud to be involved with planning QE2's 50 year conference in September 2017 in Clydebank
www.qe2event.com

Online Lynda Bradford

Re: 1982 QE2 Post Falklands refit
« Reply #3 on: Jun 21, 2018, 10:07 AM »
BEHIND-THE-SCENES AND TECHNICAL WORK

  • All machinery areas were overhauled.
  • The air-conditioning and heating systems were substantially increased for passengers’ comfort on cruises and the cold North Atlantic.
  • The tanks received work and repairs.
  • Lifeboats were overhauled.
  • New washing machines were installed.
I was proud to be involved with planning QE2's 50 year conference in September 2017 in Clydebank
www.qe2event.com

Offline Clydebuilt1971

Re: 1982 QE2 Post Falklands refit
« Reply #4 on: Jun 21, 2018, 10:24 AM »
This information is priceless - thanks to Michael for providing it and Lynda for posting it!

Gav

Offline Clydebuilt1971

Re: 1982 QE2 Post Falklands refit
« Reply #5 on: Jul 13, 2018, 08:17 AM »
I had always thought (probably incorrectly) that some of the money Cunard received from the MOD allowed them to fund the replacement of her propulsion system in 1986 - do I assume this to be incorrect as it states above that the MOD contributed £2m towards the post Falklands refit.

Cheers

Gav

Online Michael Gallagher

Re: 1982 QE2 Post Falklands refit
« Reply #6 on: Jul 13, 2018, 08:24 AM »
Gav

I have several documents detailing meetings Trafalgar House had with the UK Government between 1983 and 1985 where Trafalgar was trying to secure funds from the Government for the re-engining using the argument that QE2 was an asset for Britain that had proved her use in time of Conflict and could do so again should another Conflict arise. The Government would not be budged and would not consider investing.

Michael

Offline Clydebuilt1971

Re: 1982 QE2 Post Falklands refit
« Reply #7 on: Jul 13, 2018, 11:19 AM »
Thanks Michael :)

Offline June Ingram

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Re: 1982 QE2 Post Falklands refit
« Reply #8 on: Jul 15, 2018, 01:15 AM »
Many thanks to Michael and Lynda ! As Gav wrote, this information is indeed priceless !  :)
QE2 - the ship for all of time, a ship of timeless beauty !

Offline Joann Scott

Re: 1982 QE2 Post Falklands refit
« Reply #9 on: Jun 22, 2023, 09:34 PM »
Thank you Lynda and Michael for all the info on QE2 refit after the Falklands venture. It was great they had the QE2 to make the quick voyage and a cost to her.
Joann Scott CTC
Joann Scott

 

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