@@PandaCruises It sure was! I spent most of my teenage years on board her 2-3+ times each year, and her crew indeed was what helped make her incredible! I love that ship soooo much, I knew her passenger areas like the back of my hand; my brother and I would spend hours just exploring her and finding out little secret passages that got us somewhere quicker, or the little architectural details that made her so special....I will always have a special place in my heart for that liner, and I miss her terribly....although she's in Dubai and opened as an hotel (thank God), it's such a long trip to see her, I won't be able to make it for some time. I was able to visit her sister ships QM2 (who I haven't been on in over 15 years until last year) and QV (again, one I hadn't stepped on board since her maiden voyages in 2007) last year, so they'll have to do for now. I hope to see her again one day; what I wouldn't give to hear her throaty, strong whistle once more, or look at her sharp prow from the observation deck....
I was privileged to have made all of the synthetic ropes for this great liner. I was working in the Belfast Ropework Company and had just finished my apprenticeship as a ropelayer on hemp ropes, using antiquated, belt-driven machines. I was then put onto a brand new Italian-made electric rope-laying machine specifically designed for synthetic rope. After three weeks of training and a further three weeks of producing various ropes on order, I was deemed competent to take on the job of a special order which I soon learned was for the QE2 being built in the Jokn Brown Shipyard in Glasgow. This was a sizeable order taking a few months working all alone, night shift in the main rope-laying shop which was over 300 yards in length! My average night meant laying three reels per night, with each reel taking up to three hours each. Some of the tope was used for rigging, some for cargo nets, some for general uses shipboard and the remainder for heavy duty hawsers; these were made by giant laying machines we called The Octopus, that used four-to six off my one-inch ropes to make the very heavy hawsers. It has to be said that, while I took some pride in doing a good job, I was waiting for word that I had been accepted as full-time Police Officer. Happily, I got that word only a week after I'd finished that huge order, and so I announced my intention le leave the ropeworks. They did ask me several times to remain, but that was never going to be route in life, for I did not enjoy a life of nightwork of working alone and doing the same monotonous thing night after night. My one week's notice was handed in and I walked out, never to return, which was just as well, for within a few years the Nelfast Ropework Company was finished, along with the Harland and Wolff Shipyard and other alloyed smaller businesses. I never forgot the drudgery of that job, although was proud of what I'd made, and especially proud that I had been associated with the QE2. I was also proud that I had been the very first person to have made the first synthetic rope in Belfast. Such rope was made to last a very long time, so perhaps - just perhaps - some of it saw action in the Falklands and in other places around the world!
Travelled on it as a ten year old in 1980 to new York. ..can still remember the awesome feeling 40 years later...testament to how special she is....ps the exceptional service from exceptional staff also made the experience what it was
Sad... last of the British greats, it was always my dream to set sail on her Southampton to New York and fly back on Concorde. Two British engineering icons built by Britain. Both gone now, before I had the savings to do it. She was the last true Ocean liner, and definitely tye last British one. No idea why Cunard has three flagships named after Engllish / British monarchs, and none of them British built. Sad.
A fitting tribute to this fine ship from a really nice man - Ian McNaught - QE2's final captain, who I had the pleasure of meeting and shaking his hand in the Queen's Room onboard QE2's final westbound crossing to New York in October 2008. QE2 may no longer be in Britain, but she'll NEVER be forgotten 😊😊.
My 21st. birthday was celebrated on the starboard hand flying bridge! Champagne flowed and my present was a mini reg. KJD 313D! Oh how I love memories (1970)
Don't forget the SS United States, one of the remaining great liners which actually accomplished something and still exists. She still holds the transatlantic speed record 71 years later, such a great liner that even the Duke and Duchess of Windsor had a regular suite aboard preferring the SSUS to any English ship. What did QE2 ever accomplish? Sounds like typical pompous "English pride", so in love with themselves, yet lacking any merit. Just her construction since day one was sub par, breaking down mid ocean, had her engines replaced, numerous cracks in the hull, shall I continue? Even today, QM2 billed as "the most famous ship in the world", famous for what? Can't hold a candle to any of the great liners of the past. I've made transatlantic crossings on the SSUS, SS France, all the Italian liners, Home Lines, QE2 and QM2. Cunard ships were the worst, pompous and rude English shipboard management even worse, trying to speak with the purser is like trying to see the Pope. However, no faults with stewards and waiters, they were great, Cunard saves those menial jobs to non-English Irish and Scottish workers. Truth is all I've ever known of the English stiff upper lip, was their quivering lower lip.
I think so. I think if it was built today, exactly as it was originally, it would still be a beautiful ship and not in the least old fashioned. The modern equivalents never look as good. What a tragedy that it couldn’t be retired on the Clyde as a tribute to the outstanding men that built it.
@@toma5153 We have the once glorious SS United States docked on the Delaware in Philadelphia. It once welcomed Grace Kelly and Prince Ranier of Monaco, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, as well as Hollywood royalty including Charlton Heston. Gary Cooper, Judy Garland, Bob Hope, Jackie Gleason, Kim Novak and many others. She was first launched in 1952 as one of the fastest ocean liners ever built, and the largest built in America. Her bow won her the Blue Riband of the Atlantic. The last sailing of the SS United States was on November 7, 1969. A lot of effort was put into restoring her to her former glory, and at one point there was talk of turning her into a casino on the Delaware, but uptight Philadelphians deep sixed that idea. She’s still in her berth at Pier 82, paint peeling the only thing saving her from corrosion is that the Delaware is a fresh water river.
@@PinkPanther4958 Of course we do, I saw that story on TV or YT, forget which. We’ve tried several different things to restore our United States on the Delaware but every effort panned out, in the mean time she’s just slowly deteriorating. The only thing that is saving her a bit, is that she’s docked in the Delaware which is a freshwater river. But she’s pretty rusted out paint peeling and I think some vandalism. Duke and Duchess of Windsor as well as Grace Kelly and Ranier were guests,as well as Hollywood royalty from the mid century. There was talk about turning her into a floating casino but that idea was deep sixed, bunch of uptight people objected. I hope someday she will be restored to her former glory 🤞🏻
@@rachelgarber1423 don't worry Rachel. SS United States (greyhound of the seas) is in far better condition structure wise than Queen Mary. Think about it, Queen Mary has been maintained and painted constantly throughout her retirement in long beach yet SS United States is in better structural condition than the queen. That shows that American naval engineering is better then we think.
Thank you so much for this lovely video. A great shame it wasn’t retired to the Clyde It’s a great tribute to that outstanding colony of shipbuilders and marine engineers on the River Clyde
I m proud and happy to have sailed on her for a Christmas markets Cruise in December 2007 and the two finak crossings (westbound and eastbound) between Southampton and New York., fulfilling my childhood#s dream of 1971.The westbound crossing was so special thanks to all the speciaö people on board all in onr way or anothere connected to the QE2, be it as long-time passengers, crew members, builders and so on. I will never forget that special atmosphere on board. and also not the long lines where Ian McNaught would sign QE 2 books and memorabilia at the occasion of his last westbound crossing. 6 hours in line, waiting for his signature.
The QE2, the last gasp of an Industrial Super Power, Britain who once built nearly all the worlds ships and all of the important ones. Even up to WW2 60% of the worlds mercantile fleet was British flagged, and the Royal Navy ruled the seas uncontested.
4:19 Port Melbourne Station Pier, the location that I first saw this ship was as a teenager in the mid or late 1970's, we were able to walk the length of the pier while docked seeing the painters do touch ups to the hull.World had changed by the time I could see this wonderful ship again in the 21st century at this location & this photo is as close as the public can get to any ship.In my humble opinion I agree with Captain Ian McNaught, it is special & successors don't have the same presence regardless of being bigger.
I made the crossing from New York to UK in 1972 with a Harley Davidson 1200 in the hold. Toured UK, many countries in Europe, on to Italy to board the Marconi, an immigrant ship to Melbourne Australia. We rode the east coast up to Sydney and then to Brisbane where I had work on a raising gang putting up a multi story building. We sold the Harley in Brisbane before taking a contract in Ivory Coast West Africa in 1973 to hang iron and welding for a sugar plantation and refinery. A great trip, especially the QE II.
I remember the launching of the QE2, I heard it on the radio new: I was on holiday on Guernsey at the time. I only saw the ship once, coming in to New York Harbour from the Staten Island Ferry. I don’t remember the date, I made several visits between 2002 and 2010.
This video shows that the glory of the ocean liners truely lives inside the hearts of the people from Southampton. I’d say bring the old Queens home. Queen Mary belongs in Southampton, as does Queen Elizabeth 2. Please return them in honour to respect the history of Southampton and to honour the great RMS Titanic and other ocean liners that were lost long time ago. It would be very emotional to see the RMS Queen Mary sailing up Southampton Water again
Crêio que a Inglaterra era o pais que tinha uma tecnologia acima dos outros países, vemos isso com a construção do Titanic e de outros grandes navios dessa época, tais tinham tamanhos colossais e uma construção de excelência, admiro até hoje essa tecnologia da Inglaterra de têr construindo esses gigantes do mar ! Sou do Brasil.
She wasn't built in a British yard, so can never class her as a cruise ship of this country. Queen Elizabeth 2 was the last true trans atlantic liner..
