50 years since the QE2 launched
QE2 launch 1967
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The contract to build the boat was originally signed on 30th December 1964, with John Brown Shipyard of Clydebank. The keel was laid five months later, on 5th July, and work continued for over two more years to complete the ship. Here a worker is busy smoothing one of the ship's two gigantic propellers, each 22ft in diameter. |
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Making a boat fit to carry 1,900 passengers took a lot of hard graft. During a break, the ship builders in the yard unwound with a game of football, pictured here just below the new hull. |
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Shipyard director George Parker gave her a shove - and a second later the Cunarder slid down the stocks into the River Clyde. It was a symbolic gesture, and brought cheers and laughter after a tense few seconds in which the new QE2 seemed reluctant to move. |
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Shipyard director George Parker gave her a shove - and a second later the Cunarder slid down the stocks into the River Clyde. It was a symbolic gesture, and brought cheers and laughter after a tense few seconds in which the new QE2 seemed reluctant to move. |
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Shipyard director George Parker gave her a shove - and a second later the Cunarder slid down the stocks into the River Clyde. It was a symbolic gesture, and brought cheers and laughter after a tense few seconds in which the new QE2 seemed reluctant to move. |
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She began slowly, but soon gathered speed, hitting 22mph before she entered the water stern-first. |
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Inside the boat. Interior view showing one of the cabin living rooms aboard the luxury passenger liner. |
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Smiles all around for Commodore William E Warwick who was the first Master of the QE2. He died aged 86, only weeks before her 30th anniversary voyage under the command of his son, Captain Ronald Warwick. |
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And finally.... she's off. Her official maiden voyage, to New York, was on 2nd May, 1969. During the Falklands War she was used as a troop transport. In 2008, after logging more than 5 million miles, the QE2 was sold to owners in Dubai, where she remains, dry docked. |
