Timeline of construction

[lshaw16]

I thought it would be good for me and for everyone else to make a timeline of construction, so we know what was happening when prior to the birth or 'berth'  of this magnificent ship!  I have started by pasting in the information from the Cunard website.  Please copy and paste what has already been done and add your own information, preferably with rough dates. 

30 Dec 1964    Contract signed with John Brown Shipyard of Clydebank. 2 July 1965      Keel Laying postponed because the huge concrete blocks for anchoring the lifting tackle moved when the strain was applied.  5 Jul 1965      Keel laid. Assigned 'job number 736'. 20 Sept 1967    Launched by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. 5 April 1968     Wheelhouse hoisted and set into position 18 April 1968   Lower Section of funnel hoisted and set in position 22 April 1968   Upper section of funnel hoisted and set in position 19 Sept 1968   QE2 Boilers lit for the first time 15 November 1968 QE2 Open for Public Viewing at John Brown's Shipyard Clydebank 19 Nov 1968    QE2 sets sail from the fitting out berth at John Brown's under the command of Captain 'Bil' Warwick 26 Nov 1968    Start of preliminary trials in the Irish Sea 23 December 1968 (08.30) First Passenger Certificate issued 23 December 1968 (Monday) to 2 January 1969 (Thursday) Technical Trials 18 April 1969 QE2 handed over to Cunard 1 May 1969      Queen's first visit (after launch) to QE2

[Fairfield]

Her keel laying was actually attempt No.2- the original date was July 2nd but the section would not budge and the ceremony was cancelled to the great embarrassment to John Brown! This section was my first sight of her.
As far as I know all her trials were on the Clyde but she certainly could have ventured beyond Ailsa Craig. She had to return to Greenock when oil contaminated her feed water system to the turbines. Once this was cleaned out she ran trials again which were extremely successful.

[Lynda Bradford]

I am surprised that this topic has not had more posts added with facts about the timeline of the construction of the QE2.  Do you think the title of the post should be the timeline for the Planning and Construction of QE2 so that it would broaden the topic area? 

There is an extensive history attached to the planning and construction of the ship which it would be good to record on the forum.   

If you have any ideas or you would like to add some facts please post.

[Bob C.]

I don't know the dates for my questions but I'll provide a few starter questions that others may know and wish to provide the answers.

What was the date the mast was set?  (remember there were three sections to the mast and the answer would be for the first (bottom) section.

What date was the funnel hoisted and set into position?

What date was the wheel house hoisted and set into postion?

On what date did she light off her boilers for the first time?

On what date during sea trials did she achieve her max speed?

When did the Queen first visit after she named and lauched QE2?

When did QE2 receive her safe for sea and passengers certificates?



We'll see where these go and hope to see some answers from our experts soon!

[Michael Gallagher]

What was the date the mast was set?  (remember there were three sections to the mast and the answer would be for the first (bottom) section. 4 OCTOBER 1968

What date was the funnel hoisted and set into position? LOWER SECTION - 18 APRIL 1968. UPPER SECTION - 22 APRIL 1968

What date was the wheel house hoisted and set into postion? 5 APRIL 1968

On what date did she light off her boilers for the first time? 19 SEPTEMBER 1968

When did the Queen first visit after she named and lauched QE2? 1 MAY 1969

[Lynda Bradford]

Thanks for some good questions Bob and excellent answers Michael. 

Keep the questions and answers coming.  

I have updated the timeline.

[Michael Gallagher]

0830 hours on 23 December 1968: First Passenger Certificate issued

[Alistair]

Does anyone remember when the ship was opened to the public for the first time while she was in the fitting out basin? I remember going one evening with my mum and dad but can't remember when that was. I'm guessing either late October or early November 1968. Also how many evenings was she open to the public during this time?

[Lynda Bradford]

I saw around the ship on 15 November 1968 - see ticket.  People were given tickets for particular times during the day and evening to see around the ship.  I cannot remember if the ship was open for viewing for more than one day. 

[Alistair]

Thanks for posting a picture of the ticket Lynda. I now remember that there were different colours, probably for different times. I think (and it's only a tickle of a memory) that our tickets were a dark red colour.

Alistair

[Rob Lightbody]

Fascinating photo! Wish I could go back in time and have that in my hand, about to go aboard the newest greatest ship in the world, in Clydebank!

The message Cunard was trying to get across at the time about the fact that they were not making her an RMS, and not wanting her advertised as such, obviously didn't get as far as the people at the shipyard responsible for printing the tickets! It must have been a drastic change in tradition for the new Cunarder not to be an RMS.

[CAP]

Coincidence or design? Her keel laying was also within day(s) of Cunard's 125th anniversary.


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