Author Topic: QE2 Maiden Voyage 2nd May 1969  (Read 9894 times)

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Online cunardqueen

QE2 Maiden Voyage 2nd May 1969
« on: May 02, 2017, 12:53 PM »
As if we need reminding...
« Last Edit: Jan 08, 2022, 09:54 AM by Lynda Bradford »
From the moment you first glimpsed the Queen,
 you just knew you were in for a very special time ahead.!

Online Lynda Bradford

Re: QE2 Maiden Voyage 2nd May 1969
« Reply #1 on: May 02, 2017, 02:41 PM »
Thanks for the reminder Myles!

It must have been a magnificent occasion. 

The Glasgow Herald reported "The real thing starts for QE2" .....the bread and butter transatlantic service for which she built.  The paper also reported that she was carrying 1400 passengers and was only around  two thirds full, unlike the two previous Queens.....

« Last Edit: Jan 08, 2022, 09:54 AM by Lynda Bradford »
I was proud to be involved with planning QE2's 50 year conference in September 2017 in Clydebank

Offline Bob C.

Re: QE2 Maiden Voyage 2nd May 1969
« Reply #2 on: May 02, 2017, 11:14 PM »
A great anniversary for sure.  Just 104 days until I celebrate my 48 th anniversary of my first voyage on QE2!  August 14-20, 1969 Eastbound TransAtlantic.
« Last Edit: Jan 08, 2022, 09:54 AM by Lynda Bradford »

Online Michael Gallagher

Re: QE2 Maiden Voyage 2nd May 1969
« Reply #3 on: May 02, 2019, 06:55 AM »
2 May 1969


On 2 May 1969 the driving rain which had persisted throughout the morning did not dampen the enthusiasm of the thousands occupying vantage points both within and outside the docks as QE2’s departure for New York neared. Baggage delays had made her 15 minutes late in leaving and an earlier bomb scare resulted in a police search but nothing was found. The rain stopped briefly as she pulled away from her berth receiving a warm and grand send off.

1,400 passengers – some 600 of which would be undertaking the complete round voyage – and 906 crew. A Mr Taylor had booked his passage 10 years earlier – he brought with him a newspaper cutting from April 1959 announcing Cunard’s intention to build two new superliners and it was then he booked. Cunard also allowed a pet white mouse to cross the Atlantic in First Class for £1. And Royalty would be travelling in the form of Her Highness Princess Pauline of Melikoff who was the Austrian widow of an exiled Russian Duke. The principal entertainment would be provided by Canadian baritone Edmund Hockridge and English pop and beat group The Applejacks.

Despite the low cloud and mist the Royal Navy saluted the ship and there was a fly-past of Buccaneer aircraft of 736 Squadron of the Fleet Air Arm, which streaked over QE2 in anchor formation. This was the same squadron which flew past at the ship’s launching ceremony. The Ocean Terminal was packed by more than 3,000 well-wishers who had turned out to cheer her on her way. Bright streamers crisscrossed from ship to shore and a thousand balloons were released from the dockside. The Hampshire Police Band played a specially composed fanfare called ‘Cunard Queen’. A flotilla of small boats escorted the ship to the open sea. Among them were fire boats who saluted QE2 in their own fashion, sending jets of water arching high into the sky. Schoolchildren from Fawley and surrounding areas lined the shores at Calshot.

Two passengers from London missed the ship but were able to board off dockhead.

At the ship’s first stop in Le Havre QE2 was given probably the biggest welcome the port had extended since the liner France had paid her first visit in 1961. Le Havre had been delighted to have been selected over Cherbourg as Cunard’s European port as the latter port had handed the earlier Queens. A huge crowd turned out to greet QE2 and a formal Reception was held for local dignitaries and QE2 was at the port for two hours before sailing at 2130 hours.
« Last Edit: Jan 08, 2022, 09:54 AM by Lynda Bradford »

Online Rob Lightbody

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Re: QE2 Maiden Voyage 2nd May 1969
« Reply #4 on: May 02, 2019, 07:09 AM »
Thank you Michael!

I attach an un-faded version of your lovely bunting photo.
« Last Edit: Jan 08, 2022, 09:55 AM by Lynda Bradford »
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.

Online Rob Lightbody

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Re: QE2 Maiden Voyage 2nd May 1969
« Reply #5 on: May 02, 2019, 07:18 AM »
Link to a Sunday post article posted today.

For 50 years the Clydebuilt QE2 ocean liner led a life of luxury and danger

https://www.sundaypost.com/fp/for-50-years-the-clydebuilt-qe2-ocean-liner-led-a-life-of-luxury-and-danger
« Last Edit: Jan 08, 2022, 09:55 AM by Lynda Bradford »
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: QE2 Maiden Voyage 2nd May 1969
« Reply #6 on: May 02, 2019, 04:08 PM »
Thanks for sharing Michael. Happy anniversary QE2!
« Last Edit: Jan 08, 2022, 09:55 AM by Lynda Bradford »
🎥 Check out my QE2 & Cruise Ship Videos: https://www.youtube.com/chrisframeofficial/

Online Lynda Bradford

Re: QE2 Maiden Voyage 2nd May 1969
« Reply #7 on: May 02, 2019, 08:15 PM »
Brilliant to have this account of the Maiden voyage sail away and some snippets of information I had not known about!

I wonder if the passengers who missed the  ship took  the scenic route like Hyacinth Bucket in the Keeping up Appearances TV Show, which is so funny.

Fantastic to learn about the ship in Le Havre and the welcome
« Last Edit: Jan 08, 2022, 09:55 AM by Lynda Bradford »
I was proud to be involved with planning QE2's 50 year conference in September 2017 in Clydebank

Online Michael Gallagher

Re: QE2 Maiden Voyage 2nd May 1969
« Reply #8 on: May 03, 2019, 07:03 AM »
MAIDEN VOYAGE DAY 2 - 3 MAY 1969

As with all maiden voyages there were problems and no matter how prepared the ship or crew is at departure most of the issues only ever arise when the ship is at sea. Key complaints on QE2 included poor food and service, slow food service, too much vibration in certain areas and crew complaints of excessive hours and 17 or 18 hours working days. Both passengers and crew thought that the 1,000-strong crew was not sufficient for the number of passengers. Captain Warwick reported a “definite depression” in the spirits of the more senior and reliable bedroom stewards and stewardesses because of their workload and thought it time to reconsider the re-introduction of Bell Boys or Junior Ratings for general purpose use as “embarrassment” was being caused because of the lack of messenger facilities. Sadly a 61-year old steward, Jack Sharp, died and his remains were committed to the sea when QE2 made a temporary stop mid-Atlantic.
« Last Edit: Jan 08, 2022, 09:55 AM by Lynda Bradford »

Online Michael Gallagher

Re: QE2 Maiden Voyage 2nd May 1969
« Reply #9 on: May 03, 2019, 11:49 PM »
MAIDEN VOYAGE DAY 3 - 4 MAY 1969

Sheila Black of the Financial Times would later write about the Maiden Voyage in Vogue Magazine:

“I honestly hadn’t liked QE2 very much when I spent a night aboard as she lay moored in Southampton’s Ocean Terminal. There were jazzy rooms and somber rooms and huge rooms and small rooms. It all looked so lacking in cohesive design. I did, in fairness, recognise that she was on target commercially. She was after the American trade and she was, as I have bored people by saying, a sea-going Hilton.

“Once aboard, I fell in love with her. Of course, the maiden voyage is rather special, though Cunard did nothing to make it so in the way of galas, so that judgement could well have been the same way after any trip. But those mixed up rooms made sense in action. I discovered that there is something for everybody…

"All of this sounds rather mundane and not at all indicative of my emotional reaction to the ship, which culminated in tears during that triumphal, magnificent entry into wildly enthusiastic New York. I fell in love with QE2 before we docked in New York to the strains of Hello Dolly”.


« Last Edit: Jan 08, 2022, 09:56 AM by Lynda Bradford »

Online Rob Lightbody

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Re: QE2 Maiden Voyage 2nd May 1969
« Reply #10 on: May 04, 2019, 07:48 AM »
Great stuff Michael, thanks.

Love the FT reporters thoughts on the jazzy and somber rooms of all sizes then of falling in love with her... As so many others did!
« Last Edit: Jan 08, 2022, 09:56 AM by Lynda Bradford »
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.

Online Andy Holloway

Re: QE2 Maiden Voyage 2nd May 1969
« Reply #11 on: May 04, 2019, 09:23 AM »
Interesting to read about the first committal of ashes on QE2, i wonder who was the last?

I've done many committals of ashes during my time at sea, a lot on QE2 for obvious reasons, all very emotional in their own way, some amusing and some very poignant, but all very meaningful.
« Last Edit: Jan 08, 2022, 09:56 AM by Lynda Bradford »

Online Michael Gallagher

Re: QE2 Maiden Voyage 2nd May 1969
« Reply #12 on: May 05, 2019, 08:31 AM »
MAIDEN VOYAGE DAY 4
5 MAY 1969


QE2 passenger:

“We had poor weather all the way. It was either raining or foggy all the time, and we only sat on deck for about an hour during one bright spell for the whole of the trip. We didn’t mind a bit, as there was so much to do on board that sitting on the deck seemed a waste of time anyway. The ship itself was as steady as a rock, and there was hardly any impression of motion at all – I didn’t hear of anyone being sea sick, but there were quite a lot of cases of Gastro-enteritis, some sort of bug was going round the ship, but fortunately missed us”.
« Last Edit: Jan 08, 2022, 09:56 AM by Lynda Bradford »

Online Michael Gallagher

Re: QE2 Maiden Voyage 2nd May 1969
« Reply #13 on: May 06, 2019, 08:25 AM »
MAIDEN VOYAGE DAY 5 -
6 May 1969


Passenger:

“…days at sea gave us the full opportunity to assess the new ship, and the immediate impression was of spacious comfort, deep pile wall-to-wall carpets everywhere, and gorgeous colours. Another breakfast time incident on Tuesday May 6th, remains a mystery. A sudden and severe shudder was felt, and the rumour was that we had struck a whale, but thus was not confirmed by Staff Captain Smith, who suggested a double wave.”

New York Times journalist:

“The new liner was rocking some, with her creaks and rattles showing, but most of the nearly 1,400 passengers are old-tome travelers and they know that a good ship must creak, that it is a sign of a well-built vessel. At noon today, the 65,863-ton liner had made 730 sea miles in the last 25 hours. It was reported that the wise man who won the ship’s pool was John A Roosevelt, son of the late President. But he was not immediately available to confirm it”.

QE2 was making 29.5 knots through a northwest wind that was blowing 24 miles an hour.

And here she is 50 years ago today on 6 May 1969 dashing across the Atlantic for New York.




« Last Edit: Jan 08, 2022, 09:57 AM by Lynda Bradford »

Online cunardqueen

Re: QE2 Maiden Voyage 2nd May 1969
« Reply #14 on: May 06, 2019, 12:44 PM »
Quote
QE2 was making 29.5 knots through a northwest wind that was blowing 24 miles an hour.

And here she is 50 years ago today on 6 May 1969 dashing across the Atlantic for New York.   

and several years later..keeping up the standards  ;)
« Last Edit: Jan 08, 2022, 09:57 AM by Lynda Bradford »
From the moment you first glimpsed the Queen,
 you just knew you were in for a very special time ahead.!

Online Michael Gallagher

Re: QE2 Maiden Voyage 2nd May 1969
« Reply #15 on: May 07, 2019, 07:07 AM »
MAIDEN VOYAGE ARRIVAL IN NEW YORK
7 MAY 1969


For weeks before her American debut New York was ready to welcome QE2 – “Welcome the Queen” signs were in many Fifth Avenue shop windows alongside photographs of the ship. And on the morning just before her arrival American newspaper front pages were filled with aerial images of QE2 taken hundreds of miles out in the Atlantic and broadcasters proclaimed her arrival would be “fit for a Queen”.

Four days, 16 hours and 35 minutes after leaving Le Havre QE2 arrived at Ambrose Light and thousands turned out to welcome the new Queen in New York on 7 May. Mayor John Lindsay boarded the ship from a coastguard cutter outside the Verrazano Bridge along with other civic dignitaries and press for the last leg of her journey and he honoured Cunard by officially proclaiming it ‘QE2 Day’ in New York. It certainly was a tremendous welcome.

Hundreds of small craft including a Chinese junk escorted her to her berth at Pier 92 and helicopters jockeying for space with light aircraft buzzed around her. Ship whistles made a chorus and geysers of water cascaded up from a flotilla of tugs and fire boats. Two RAF Harrier jump jets raised a cheer from British passengers as they screamed in at high speed and then hovered on either side to escort QE2 towards the Statue of Liberty. QE2 made a leisurely entrance two miles up the Hudson north of her pier at west 52nd Street before turning in mid-river and berthing alongside just after 1500 hours.

Of the arrival welcome, Captain Warwick would later write: “It was a sight and experience which I am sure many more than myself will never forget.”

« Last Edit: Jan 08, 2022, 09:57 AM by Lynda Bradford »

Online Michael Gallagher

Re: QE2 Maiden Voyage 2nd May 1969
« Reply #16 on: May 07, 2019, 07:08 AM »
Hello New York!
« Last Edit: Jan 08, 2022, 09:58 AM by Lynda Bradford »

Online Michael Gallagher

Re: QE2 Maiden Voyage 2nd May 1969
« Reply #17 on: May 07, 2019, 07:09 AM »
More New York
« Last Edit: Jan 08, 2022, 09:58 AM by Lynda Bradford »

Online Michael Gallagher

Re: QE2 Maiden Voyage 2nd May 1969
« Reply #18 on: May 07, 2019, 07:10 AM »
Captain Warwick
« Last Edit: Jan 08, 2022, 09:58 AM by Lynda Bradford »

Online Michael Gallagher

Re: QE2 Maiden Voyage 2nd May 1969
« Reply #19 on: May 07, 2019, 07:11 AM »
During a short ceremony in the Queens Room New York Mayor John Lindsay was presented with a gold medallion by Cunard Chairman Sir Basil Smallpeice to commemorate the ship’s first arrival in the city.

The gold medal, inscribed on one side with an outline of QE2, had caused a little bother, both with the Bank of England and the United States Treasury Department. The first difficulty had been in getting permission from the Bank of England to take gold out of the country. Then Washington had to give permission for the medal to be imported into the United States without being put into Fort Knox along with America’s gold reserves. The letter authorizing the importation was not issued until Mayor Lindsay promised to sign a declaration that he would not melt the medal down for its gold content!

Having proclaimed 7 May 1969 in New York as ‘QE2 Day’ Mayor Lindsay, also said “the new Queen is a pride of New York as it is of Britain”, before presenting Sir Basil with a glass seahorse.

The official QE2 Day Proclamation stated:

WHEREAS, the Cunard Steam-Ship Company, Limited, has been serving the Port of New York for more than a century, since the first Cunarder, the 219-foot long Hibernia, arrived here from England in 1847, and

WHEREAS, Cunard liners have been moving in and out of our harbor longer than those flying any other house flag, and

WHEREAS, the legendary, luxurious liners of the Cunard Company have been majestic symbols of the ties between our two great English-speaking nations for 129 years, and

WHEREAS, New York has been a ‘second’ home port for such renowned liners as the Britannia, Lucania, Lusitania, Mauretania, Aquitania, Berengaria, and the two incomparable Queen ships – Queen Mary and the Queen Elizabeth, and

WHEREAS, the newest flagship in history’s greatest fleet of trans-Atlantic and cruise liners, the RMS Queen Elizabeth 2, arrives on that day in New York harbor, completing her maiden voyage from Southampton, and

WHEREAS, the Queen Elizabeth 2 will continue the Cunard tradition of sailing great ships into this, the greatest port in the world, for decades to come,

NOW, therefore, I, John V Lindsay, Mayor of the City of New York do hereby proclaim May 7, 1969 as

   QUEEN ELIZABETH 2 DAY IN NEW YORK CITY

and call upon all New Yorkers to note this historic occasion, a new chapter in the proud Cunard legend, and to welcome to our waters this newest and most magnificent of the great ocean steamships.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and cause the seal of the City of New York to be affixed.

John V Lindsay
Mayor of the City of New York
« Last Edit: Jan 08, 2022, 09:58 AM by Lynda Bradford »

Offline Clive Davies

Re: QE2 Maiden Voyage 2nd May 1967
« Reply #20 on: May 07, 2019, 08:55 AM »
My wife and I were on the QE2 maiden voyage to New York as she arrived there 50 years ago to day !
It was certainly a day to remember !

Offline QE2forever

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Re: QE2 Maiden Voyage 2nd May 1967
« Reply #21 on: May 07, 2019, 04:56 PM »
What a great read full of fascinating facts and fabulous pictures.

Thank you Michael!

Online Isabelle Prondzynski

Re: QE2 Maiden Voyage 2nd May 1967
« Reply #22 on: May 12, 2019, 10:56 PM »
On 7 May, Philippe Spanner sent this lovely message to the Admin mailbox, and has allowed us to for post it here :

Quote from: Philippe Spanner
50 years ago today.
I was on the Maiden voyage of the Queen Elizabeth 2, and the welcome was fantastic, Fire boats blasting water in the air, pleasure boats with tables covered with white tablecloths with waiters serving wine or champagne, coast guard boats and helicopters, Marine and aviation ( Staten island) ferry with a banner ( WELCOME TO NEW YORK QE2) on its side. Lockheed constellation flew overhead possibly just coming in to land. We appear to be escorted up the Hudson by the US destroyer 507 Conway, In 1961 she was one of the ships assigned at the pick up of Gus Gissum, the second man in space, the space capsule was later known as the Molly Brown of Titanic fame, after it sank nearly drowning Gus Gissum.

I have viewed other contributions to the arrival but could not see the US Conway. I recorded on super 8 film the arrival, years later converted to VHS then again to disc with unfortunately a loss in quality.

Online Thomas Hypher

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Re: QE2 Maiden Voyage 2nd May 1967
« Reply #23 on: May 13, 2019, 09:59 PM »
Absolutely wonderful, particularly the aerial photos of her maiden arrival into New York - haven't seen many of them before. Surreal to think I was there on another Ocean Liner as a 12 year old, 39 1/2 years later when she left for the final time, my Dad videoing me watching QE2 pass.

Thanks again Michael  :)

Would love to read more about your memories/experiences of QE2, Clive!
First sailed on QE2 in August 2003 aged 6 years old. Last sailed on QE2 in July 2008. Last saw the seagoing QE2 in person from the decks of QM2, on QE2's last Transatlantic crossing (Eastbound tandem) in October 2008. Visited QE2 in her new life, in Dubai, in January 2020 and August 2022.

Online Lynda Bradford

Re: QE2 Maiden Voyage 2nd May 1969
« Reply #24 on: May 02, 2023, 09:23 PM »
This topic is a fantastic reminder of the amazing contributions to The QE2 Story by our members as we remember the QE2 leaving Southampton for her Maiden Voyage and first Transatlantic crossing.

Thank-you to everyone who has contributed and enjoy reading from the first post the story of QE2's Maiden voyage

Photo Michael Gallagher collection
« Last Edit: May 02, 2023, 09:31 PM by Lynda Bradford »
I was proud to be involved with planning QE2's 50 year conference in September 2017 in Clydebank

Online Lynda Bradford

Re: QE2 Maiden Voyage 2nd May 1969
« Reply #25 on: May 05, 2023, 09:29 AM »
Quote
Sadly a 61-year old steward, Jack Sharp, died and his remains were committed to the sea when QE2 made a temporary stop mid-Atlantic.

A reminder from Michael Gallagher of the first committal ceremony on QE2. At 8 am on 5 May 1969 the ship came to a halt to commit the body of Ernest Sharp Ship's Stewart to the waters of the Atlantic. 

You can read more on Maiden Voyage Burial at Sea topic

I was proud to be involved with planning QE2's 50 year conference in September 2017 in Clydebank

Online Lynda Bradford

Re: QE2 Maiden Voyage 2nd May 1969
« Reply #26 on: May 07, 2023, 09:24 AM »
7 May 1969 QE2 arrives in NY for the first time

British Pathe news video shows the welcome she received.  I can't help but think that this is the type of welcome that modern cruise ships could only dream of, but then again QE2 was no ordinary ship and a transatlantic liner.



Michael Gallagher:

Quote
MAIDEN VOYAGE ARRIVAL IN NEW YORK
7 MAY 1969

For weeks before her American debut New York was ready to welcome QE2 – “Welcome the Queen” signs were in many Fifth Avenue shop windows alongside photographs of the ship. And on the morning just before her arrival American newspaper front pages were filled with aerial images of QE2 taken hundreds of miles out in the Atlantic and broadcasters proclaimed her arrival would be “fit for a Queen”.

Four days, 16 hours and 35 minutes after leaving Le Havre QE2 arrived at Ambrose Light and thousands turned out to welcome the new Queen in New York on 7 May. Mayor John Lindsay boarded the ship from a coastguard cutter outside the Verrazano Bridge along with other civic dignitaries and press for the last leg of her journey and he honoured Cunard by officially proclaiming it ‘QE2 Day’ in New York. It certainly was a tremendous welcome.

Hundreds of small craft including a Chinese junk escorted her to her berth at Pier 92 and helicopters jockeying for space with light aircraft buzzed around her. Ship whistles made a chorus and geysers of water cascaded up from a flotilla of tugs and fire boats. Two RAF Harrier jump jets raised a cheer from British passengers as they screamed in at high speed and then hovered on either side to escort QE2 towards the Statue of Liberty. QE2 made a leisurely entrance two miles up the Hudson north of her pier at west 52nd Street before turning in mid-river and berthing alongside just after 1500 hours.

Of the arrival welcome, Captain Warwick would later write: “It was a sight and experience which I am sure many more than myself will never forget.”


« Last Edit: May 07, 2023, 09:27 AM by Lynda Bradford »
I was proud to be involved with planning QE2's 50 year conference in September 2017 in Clydebank

Offline Woolston

Re: QE2 Maiden Voyage 2nd May 1969
« Reply #27 on: May 25, 2023, 11:32 AM »
I did a pier head jump from Carmania to QE2 on her return from the maiden voyage. It was quite a culture shock. Our accommodation on 1 deck forward was positively palatial. En suite, double bed, telephone, nice soft furnishings. Unfortunately,  the pleasant experience stopped there. I have never had to deal with so many disgruntled/angy passengers.
"Niagra,Niagra", toilets backing up, passengers being accommodated in the hospital, escalator from galley to restaurants breaking down, a complete blackout in the Hudson River with all fire doors  slamming shut trapping people.
One lovely US passenger loudly told me I could "stick this ship right up your god d ar***!". ""Thankyou sir, have you filled out the comment form in your stateroom?"
However,  after a couple of voyages, things settled down. Thanks to the hard work, skill, patience and good humour of all the crew.

Online Lynda Bradford

Re: QE2 Maiden Voyage 2nd May 1969
« Reply #28 on: May 07, 2024, 10:08 AM »
55 Years ago on 7 May 1969 QE2 sailed into New York on her Maiden Voyage



Michael Gallagher's posts give an excellent description of the momentous day with amazing photos :

Quote
Hundreds of small craft including a Chinese junk escorted her to her berth at Pier 92 and helicopters jockeying for space with light aircraft buzzed around her. Ship whistles made a chorus and geysers of water cascaded up from a flotilla of tugs and fire boats. Two RAF Harrier jump jets raised a cheer from British passengers as they screamed in at high speed and then hovered on either side to escort QE2 towards the Statue of Liberty. QE2 made a leisurely entrance two miles up the Hudson north of her pier at west 52nd Street before turning in mid-river and berthing alongside just after 1500 hours.

Also photos and details of the ceremony to celebrate the new Cunard ship's arrival in the city of New York
I was proud to be involved with planning QE2's 50 year conference in September 2017 in Clydebank