QE2 and the Iceberg

[Heather]

I was on the QE2 when we hit an Iceberg on our way to Iceland.  Sitting at dinner and then "bang".  The Captain stopped all engines and we glided through the small icebergs for 3 hours.  The ship was examined next day and found to be damaged but was still able to sail.  Guess what they were showing in the Cinema that night on the ship?  "Titanic".  I was sick enough to go and see it!

I was also on when we spent overnight in Copenhagen - when it was time to leave the ship moved and then hit the dock - within minutes it was on TV across the world.  This shows the importance of the Old Lady QE2 across the world.   We had to wait until more tugs came from Belgium before we could move.  Exciting stuff.

On a nicer note my sister met the man of her dreams on the QE2 and they are now engaged.  The love boat!

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

My Mum was also on board for that amazing event! The Captain said there should not have been any icebergs around, there never were, that time of year... The one which QE2 hit, he said, was not quite as big as a football field, more the size of a family house...

My Mum also told us that "Titanic" was showing in the Theatre that night!

She herself sat fascinated in her cabin watching the TV screen with the view from the bridge, showing the deck crew out with long poles, pushing the icebergs out of the way as QE2 advanced, slowly!

Those, at least, are my memories of my Mum's stories. I may amend this if she tells me some more or corrects my memories  

Later edit : She has confirmed my memories, with the exception of the football field. The Captain said that the iceberg was not quite as big as Buckingham Palace -- more the size of a family cottage. Quite big enough, of course...!

[Heather]

Thanks for letting me know about your Mum watching the TV and the crew on deck pushing the icebergs away!  I didn't know that - thats amazing (maybe I'm glad I didn't know that!!)  You could see the "growlers" floating around the ship.  

After the engines started up we went so fast - (full steam ahead) that there was another bang - an engine blew!  

The bang at dinner was enough to frighten my sister to death!!  She wanted to go and put her lifejacket on (no joking).  then when the engine blew we felt we had hit something.

The Chief Engineer was sitting a few seats away from me in the Cinema and when I spoke to him the next day I asked if he enjoyed "The Titanic" film.  He just laughed and said he hadn't seen it before (don't know if he would want to see it again though).  

Very eventful cruise - but it all adds to the excitement.

[RMS Queen Elizabeth 2]

Blimey. How long ago was this?

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

This was in the summer (June or July) of 1998. The annual Iceland cruise of that year.

The Captain said he had never seen icebergs in the area so late in the year...

[NairB]

 

Gosh Heather, how loud was the "bang" and did you feel vibrations go through her?.....wow....report more detail of this very rare event please  

What damage did they find? Are there any photos of the damage to her hull. Us Glasgow Engineers need a FULL synopsis on how she dealt with this lol  

Your details will be included in our designs for the NEW qe3.....I'm starting to like the sound of that....qe3....lol  

[Louis De Sousa]

It was on the 26th July 1998,i was onboard too.

Louis

[Twynkle]

Hi Louis!

Did it cause a major alert?
Or was it all calm, dignified and 'business as usual'?
(On the outside, anyway!)

[Louis De Sousa]

Not as close as this from the other ship i worked on.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ex-crewmember/3646489810/in/set-72157618530981567/

Louis

[Louis De Sousa]

QE2 meets Iceberg

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ex-crewmember/4278730716/

Louis

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

The photo says 1988, not 1998 -- so she must have had at least two such encounters in the Arctic, perhaps more?

And then, there was the Antarctic too... South Georgia and all that...

Wonderful to see a photographic record of this rare occurrence! Thank you for posting it, Louis.

[Louis De Sousa]

The photo says 1988, not 1998 -- so she must have had at least two such encounters in the Arctic, perhaps more?

This photo is from 1988, Westbound Crossing to New York with Captain Alan Bennell.I have another photo from my time onboard ill see if i can find it.

Louis

[Louis De Sousa]

As the QE2 sailed towards Spitzbergen in 1997 we came across a small Iceberg.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ex-crewmember/4278301277/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ex-crewmember/4278301271/

Louis

[Lynda Bradford]

Today January 2021 Storm Christoph is sweeping across UK with sleet and snow in many areas.  This reminded me of this topic posted in 2009 about QE2 hitting an iceberg.

Heather started the topic with her memories of the event, followed by more memories and photos. 
https://www.theqe2story.com/forum/index.php?topic=716.msg8095#msg8095

Louis de Sousa was a member of the crew at the time.  He posted this certificate that was given to passengers and crew.

[Chris Thompson]

I was working on the Sagafjord doing the Alaska season in 1991. Our cabin was below the waterline down by the spa. Early one morning we were cruising into Glacier Bay and I was woken by a sound similar to "Nails on a Blackboard" passing along the hull just above my head.....somewhat startling!