The mind boggles about why they would have wanted to separate their modern ships from their great history! It is the history of those dead ships that makes Cunard distinctive! Crazy thing to do, so I am glad they fixed it! Thank you for the video!
It does seem odd today doesn’t it. But it was a purposeful decision to try and differentiate from the old liners that had fallen out of vogue - strange to think of this being possible by todays standards, but in 1969 with modernity front and centre Cunard felt like it needed to look ahead and not backwards and promote an image of modern, her age, space age, relevance. They felt that the only way to survive in the 1960/70s was to become the most modern and forward thinking cruise brand out there. They built QE2 to be ultra modern and invested in new, modern cruise ships. I think it worked for the time period, but by the 1980s people were yearning for historic transatlantic voyages, and so the brand positioning started to shift and by 1994 Cunard’s QE2 fully embraced their history with the installation of the Heritage Trail. The evolution of the Cunard brand is fascinating.
@@ChrisFrameOfficial Ah! I see. That is understandable. It was part of the UKs Swinging Sixties Cultural Renaissance (which really did begin in the 1950s IMHO! The world was being re-born and everything new seemed better! It took people quite some time to work out that not everything new was fabulous!
@@danielintheantipodes6741 Cunard in 1969,was on the balls of their butts. Bleeding money, and watching the new beauties, Sagafjord, Kungsholm, and Ocesnic being successful while Franconia and Carmania were rebooted transatlantic liners gussied up for cruising. Ad campaigns for QE2 was “Ships have been boring long enough …”. She was a gamble and I think the Board of Directors held their collective breath for the first few years. She became the “it” girl for a while and then the chameleon as she adapted to the times over and over again. She modernized the “tradition” and yet was still the thread to the history and the glamour of the past❤️❤️
In 1936, alongside the RMS Queen Mary's maiden voyage, the famous Fred Astaire/Ginger Rogers movie called "Shall We Dance" was released. Part of this movie took place on a fictional ship which used shots taken of the RMS Queen Mary sailing, but to avoid copyright called the ship the "Queen Anne". I find it somewhat amusing that now the fictional "Queen Anne" is a real Cunarder. Remarkable as always, Mr. Frame!
CORRECTION: My grandad - who cruised on QE2 with me many times - always said “don’t rush Chris” - and that’s advice I should have taken today as in my haste my script was not well written around the end of the white funnel timeline. It should note that QE2 was the FINAL Cunard passenger ship to revert to red as Cunard Countess and Cunard Princess had both reintroduced red funnels before QE2 did. And in fact later in the 1980s and 1990s more white funnels would be introduced with the Royal Viking Sun and Sea Goddess I / II. If you’re keen for more in-depth info about the funnels and Cunard brand, check this out: www.chriscunard.com/history-fleet/the-cunard-brand/
After watching the video may I point a few errors. With regard to the traditional Cunard red and black funnels. In 1976 prior to the introduction into service of the two new Cunard twins the CUNARD ADVENTURER (1971) gained the traditional Cunard red and black funnel. She retained her white hull with a red band added. The twin purpose built sisters CUNARD COUNTESS (1976) and CUNARD PRINCESS (1977) both wore the traditional Cunard red and black funnels as built along with a white hull and red band. So that was a four gap rather than the one you quoted. The funnel colours. The original Cunard funnel colours from it's first ever vessels such as the BRITANNIA were indeed painted red with a black top. You are correct regarding the red painted funnels turning more orange. But the black stripes actually occurred because of the paint burning around the riveted sections of the funnels. This caused the black rings to what we see today. At first there were attempts to rectify the situation but Cunard decided to retain the colours and eventually paint the rings black. Ever since then the red funnels with black top and black stripes have been a hallmark of the magnificent Cunard Line. The wind scoops as seen on the funnel of the Queen Elizabeth 2 were indeed a revelation at the time and have been a Cunard Line feature ever since. Although the twins CUNARD ADVENTURER (1971) and CUNARD AMBASSADOR (1972) had very unique funnels they did incorporate a very much smaller version of the wind scoops as seen on the Queen Elizabeth 2. FYI, my late Grandfather worked for Cunard Line for 51 years, from 1925 until he retired from the Queen Elizabeth 2 in 1975. My father worked for Cunard Line during the fifties as did two of my uncle's. I later joined in their footsteps when in 1983 I followed in my boyhood dream of joining Cunard Line on-board the Queen Elizabeth 2. I'm shoreside now in the Port of Southampton. On a side note, I always wished that Cunard renamed the former VIKING SUN (1988) when they originally purchased her. I remember at time thinking or was it dreaming to have her renamed CARONIA and wearing the original Cunard "cruising green" colours". She would have looked awesome 👌 The original Royal Viking Line trio had their funnels based around the 'original' funnel of the Queen Elizabeth 2 which I'm sure your fully aware of. Fun fact. One of the most amazing and surreal things that I ever witnessed in my life was being on-board the QUEEN ELIZABETH 2 in January 1987 when her funnel was detached and placed onto the Quayside. Seeing a funnel less QUEEN ELIZABETH 2 was jaw dropping and she looked so sad. Walking under the funnel on the Quayside felt strange. But the highlight was walking under the ship itself whilst she was high and dry in the dry dock. I've kissed her bottom I can assure you 😏 This was whilst the QUEEN ELIZABETH 2 was in the Lloyd Werft Shipyard in Bremerhaven, Germany during her major refit from steam powered to diesel. The six month refit lasted from October 1986 to April 1987. Which resulted in giving her an extra 21 years service life as an ocean going liner. Have a good day 😊
Thanks Sean. I appreciate your feedback. What a fascinating personal history you have with Cunard. I am very envious that you managed to stand under the QE2! You probably already know this, but the original concept art for the Countess and Princess (Conquest) showed white funnels which were ultimately painted red and black during fit out. However the gap in brand consistency did last until 1982 given the flagship wore the white and black for that period - that’s the point I was trying to make (perhaps not well!!) - that and that current design on Queen Anne isn’t a Napier design but rather QE2 inspired which had features brought across from the originals after the 1982 repaint. Countess and Princess of course were not wholly “built” for Cunard, given they took over the design from the failed National / Hefner partnership. Perhaps this warrants it’s own video! Regarding the original funnels - fantastic info you have there. Thanks. Those black joints were later amended on later models to have built in, black banded, expansion joints which you can clearly see on Etruria and Umbria and even Mauretania, Lusitania and Aquitania. I believe that the funnels on the 19th and early 20th century Cunarders used to expand slightly under the heat from the engine uptakes!
@@ChrisFrameOfficial Hi and thanks Chris for the reply and the comments, it's much appreciated. Obviously I'm aware of the facts that you have commented upon especially with regarding to the original design and ownership of the CUNARD COUNTESS and CUNARD PRINCESS. I can vividly remember seeing the original renderings of them with the white and black funnels. I must have a copy somewhere although they are easily accessible online. But as an excited 8yo I was so happy when the CUNARD COUNTESS appeared in 1976 wearing the traditional Cunard red and black funnel colours. Two more fun facts. The QUEEN ELIZABETH 2 gained her traditional Cunard red and black funnel along with her new pebble grey hull in July/August 1982 during her post Falklands refit in her home port of Southampton. The two black bands were originally taped on rather than being painted. Needless to say there were issues with this and with tape pealing off. They were never fully painted black until July 1983 during the period in which her hull colour was eventually changed from the short lived and failed "pebble grey" back to her original charcoal grey hull. With regards to the funnel of the QUEEN ANNE. It appears that she doesn't have a wind scoop. If she does it's not obvious as seen on the rest of the fleet. Some renderings show her with a wind scoop and others don't. I was hoping that she would have a wind scoop and an identical or similar funnel to the QUEEN ELIZABETH/QUEEN VICTORIA. The "Pinnacle class" with it's high superstructure above the bridge along with the a lower based funnel just doesn't look right to me. IMHO I would have preferred the Pinnacle class to have the funnel situated a deck or two higher. Adding a wind scoop to the funnel of the QUEEN ANNE would have overcome that in some way. Non the less I'm extremely excited about her construction progress and everyone at CUNARD and all of us here in the Port of Southampton are looking forward to welcoming her sailing down Southampton Water into her home port in April 2024. Second fun fact. It wasn't until a few years ago when my late Grandmother passed away and my mother and sister were doing the house Clarence. My mother called me and said that she had a surprise for me. Not thinking much about but she produced two photos of me. First as a two year old and another from when I was three years old, both photos were taken in a ship's lobby with the vessels lifebuoy and name with registered port clearly on view. (You know what I mean 😉) The first photo was taken in 1967 as a two year old in the main lobby onboard the CARONIA (1948). The second photo was taken a year later in 1968 as a three year old in the main first class lobby onboard the QUEEN ELIZABETH (1939). So until recently I was not even aware of the fact that I had actually been onboard the QUEEN ELIZABETH (1939) and CARONIA (1948). I might have been far too young to remember those two occasions but I have the photo's to prove it. So in my life time I've been on almost all of the Cunard Line fleet minus the two yacht club SEA GODDESSES, CUNARD PRINCESS and ROYAL VIKING SUN. The list would include, QUEEN MARY (1936) QUEEN ELIZABETH (1939) CARONIA (1948) CARMANIA (1962) former SAXONIA (1954) QUEEN ELIZABETH 2 (1969) CUNARD COUNTESS (1976) SAGAFJORD (1965) VISTAFJORD (1973) QUEEN MARY 2 (2003) QUEEN VICTORIA (2007) QUEEN ELIZABETH (2010) QUEEN ANNE I'm waiting for you 🙂 There is a missing photo of me somewhere taken as an excited four year old in 1969 in the Midships Lobby of the QUEEN ELIZABETH 2. The photo was taken prior to her departure of her maiden transatlantic crossing from Southampton to New York on 02 May 1969. My family went on board prior to sailing to say goodbye to my grandfather and witness her departure from the balcony of the former Ocean Terminal in the Port of Southampton. That day is the actual day that I can honestly say was the first day or time I can vividly remember. I waved her off on her official maiden voyage and transatlantic crossing as an excited four year old boy on the 02 May 1969. I personally kissed her hull as a grown adult at approximately 18.00 GMT on the 11 November 2008 as I disembarked the QUEEN ELIZABETH 2 for the very last time. Just under two hours later I was crying and waving her off from her home port of Southampton for the very last time. Although it was a very sad and emotional occasion it was indeed a splendid send off. Having visited the QUEEN MARY several times in Long Beach, CA, I have yet to make such plans to visit my beloved QUEEN ELIZABETH 2 in Dubai. Although prior to the pandemic I was thinking of doing so. I have no doubt that I will visit Dubai again at some point and be back onboard her once again, "for old times sake". Keep up the great work Chris. PS. Before they recently completed the tallest residential building in my home city of Southampton I would have a view out to the vessels berthed in the port. That view is no longer although the shore is less than two minutes walk from my home. The QUEEN MARY 2 is as your aware currently berthed at the Ocean Terminal plagued with a technical issue which resulted in her west bound crossing to New York on Sunday 23 April being cancelled. It would also have been the final leg of her 2023 World Cruise for guests that would have been disembarking in New York.
Sir, I has been a delight to read your tale of experiences with Cunard Line. It is truly enlightening. Thank you for sharing your comments with Chris. I have myself at the age of 9 sailed on RMS Queen Elizabeth in 1964 with my family. It proved to have triggered my love for Cunard Line and its history. @@seansparks2803
Thank You Chris for another great Video !! Your a wonderful ship historian and lecturer!! I’m doing two QM2 transatlantic voyages this summer and am looking forward to purchasing some of your books while onboard. I already have many of your books and they are fantastic ! Am looking forward to adding to my collection. As for the Queen Anne , I think she is a fine looking ship on the exterior. But my beef is with the interiors of the vessel. Judging from the already released concept artwork, they are apparently going for an EXTREMELY modern look!?!? To me , they look very cold and stark !! I very much think that this is a horrible mistake ! Cunard is famous for the rich wood paneling and Art Deco design that makes all of their past ships so lovely and elegant. People have come to expect that when traveling Cunard! Every other cruise line out there have plastered their ship interiors with that uninspiring “ Modern Star Wars “ theme. I personally think it cheapens the ship and makes them look like shopping malls and amusement parks ! Cunard ••• the George Jetson look is a BIG MISTAKE!! As for the name chosen ? As a extreme Cunard fan , Yes I would have preferred her being named Mauritania, Aquitania or Caronia. But as we all knew , that just wasn’t going to happen !!! Cunard is keyed in firmly to the “ Queen “ tradition now so Queen Anne it is !! I’m fine with that. Just Please Cunard , do not name the next ship “ Queen Camilla “ 🙄😒 Cheers Chris ! MikeW
Thank you Chris. Another very informative video. I love hearing about these details and the history behind it. I would love to cross the Atlantic on the QM2 one day and hear your lectures on ocean liners. Great work, keep it up!
Hey there Chris. Great video. As always. Point of correction, the red funnels returned in 1976 with Cunard Countess and Princess. The Adventurer even wore it briefly. QE2 went back to red after the Falkland war. 😇
Thank you for the kind comment. You are of course correct about the timeline. My script was poorly worded I intended that QE2’s red scheme saw all the white funnelled passenger ships return to red but realise it didn’t come across that way 🤦♂️
@@ChrisFrameOfficial all good.!! I always second guess myself when I comment on things like that. It seems obnoxious, and it’s not meant to be that at all. I truly LOVE your videos and feel like I’m just chatting with a buddy. Big hugs. Croix!!!
The funnel colours of the paddle steamer Waverley(1946) were originally LNER red white and black . This changed to black and buff, then eventually red and black with the Calmac lion emblem then in preservation returned to her original red white and black which has suited her best.
But what about the wind scoop? QE2, QM2, QE(3) and QV all had distinctive wind scoops at the rear of their funnels. While i realize that it may not be necessary on Queen Anne from a functional perspective, and i am sure it saves money, the wind scoop certainly added to their iconic look. Has Cunard addressed this at all?
Hi Chris, Do you have Instagram? Someone used Instagram on your behalf and used your photos to approach me, Is that you please help answer so that I don't get fooled?
No. It’s not me. It’s a known scammer. Check this out and beware of these criminal scammers: m.ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-3Olbte64U_Y.html
