QE2 Story Forum
The QE2's Story (in-service) => The QE2 herself => Topic started by: highlander0108 on Jun 11, 2010, 04:26 AM
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(http://highlander0108.smugmug.com/photos/897006116_hjMcc-M.jpg)
Having this image as my desktop background for some time now, gradually I began to see things not so readily apparent, especially to one who is unfamiliar to what the ship was like in her original incarnation. One thing you can pick out is the newer deck plating at the very bow that was a 1995 repair due to the rogue wave damage. It is smooth and without any of the paint buildup visible farther back. Comparing it to one of the excellent early images posted here, the layout of the foredeck changed when the bow anchor was removed. The colors may have changed, but the equipment is original. It appears that you can make out the original layout of the color change on the deck in the grey paint too. I think the deck is much cleaner with the two symmetrical anchor chains leading to the capstans. Without the anchor rode for the bow anchor, there was now space to relocate the fog horn to the foredeck in later years. Also, note the spare anchor that was mounted to the portside is not yet installed on the original photo.
(http://highlander0108.smugmug.com/photos/897007237_8nqct-M.jpg)
The two vertical vents in the center of the ship, installed at an angle puzzled me why they were installed at that angle. Comparing the original photo, it is apparent that they were not only ventilation structures, but the resting place for the original twin deck cranes. You can see the cable tie-downs in the photo above. Mystery of the layout of these vents solved! What a clever way to integrate these structures into the deck layout by the designers! Also, the bulwark located in front of the life rafts originally was lower and with a railing. It appears that the bulwark was extended to the height of the original rails, probably for protection of the life rafts from heavy seas crashing over the bow.
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Hi Ken,
Seeing your post reminded me I had some foredeck machinery photos - see attached.
The 'guillotines' are also called 'chain stoppers'
Cheers
Skilly
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More foredeck equipment - the photo file name identifies the piece in view.
Skilly
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And some more...
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Thanks Skilly. These photos put you right on deck, an area that I suspect most of us would want to walk out on someday.
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Some more of the same area taken in March 2008.
It was such a thrill to stand there!
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Plus one more on the Foredeck theme - Why are all those people lined up watching me - I just hope i don't stuff up!!
And one, taken whilst walking on the roof!
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I took the attached picture in December 1983 on my first cruise on QE2. She had just returned from Bremerhaven after a refit and she wasn't quite ready for passengers, we spent a day or so in port before a quick jaunt around the English Channel. It didn't put me off - it was the first of many happy years cruising on QE2.
I wonder if the forward anchor had just been removed as illustrated by the red inserts on the deck?
I also stood in the 12 inch depression on the forward deck in 1995 caused by Hurricane Louis - I'll dig out my slides of this.
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CM,
Thanks for this great shot and I agree that she had a bit more make-up to put on before she's ready for passengers....
Those red patches are red priimer paint and is where the raised fore-anchor run used to be. I can hardly wait to see your pix of the wave damage.
There are a few pieces of equipment just aft of the anchor windlasses (wildcats). The white mushroom looking things I assume are vents but immediately aft are two circular platfroms (one on each side) with a center column and there are two other columns between the wildcats.
Are these the manual and hydraulic windlass brakes?
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CM, do you know if the forward mounted fog horn assembly was refastened to the rebuilt deck or was the assembly renewed? The structure appears to be the same from your photo and my photo of 2008.
I too am looking forward to seeing what damage was caused by this rouge wave that Commodore Warwick said it looked like the white cliffs of Dover! :o A testiment to the workers of the Clyde, who built a strond ship!
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I too am looking forward to seeing what damage was caused by this rouge wave that Commodore Warwick said it looked like the white cliffs of Dover! A testiment to the workers of the Clyde, who built a strond ship!
The rouge wave was in 1995 and not in 1999, check more out here
https://www.theqe2story.com/forum/index.php/topic,399.0.html
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BTW. The forward whistle platform was also designated by Capt, later Commadore Ridley the sight of a Christmas tree. CDR Ridley saw a ship leaving NY, at the same time as we did, sporting a Christmas tree on the forward deck. Bob Dolley and I were tasked to make it happen! Tree and lights were picked up in Everglades... and it was done........
Oh some of the jobs I had!
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CDR Ridley saw a ship leaving NY, at the same time as we did, sporting a Christmas tree on the forward deck. Bob Dolley and I were tasked to make it happen! Tree and lights were picked up in Everglades... and it was done........
like this maybe.... ;)
<dead link removed>
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Ours was on the whistle platrorm. But yours looked better.
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Does anyone know what happened to the original tall bowmast on the foredeck?
Earliest photos of QE2 in 1969 show a tall, slender mast set back from the fo'c'stle and jackstaff (see attached). Considering its exposure, I would be surprised if it survived very long but if it was removed, when (and what circumstances) did it go?
I'm not sure of this was a collapsable or folding mast but at some point after 1969, it seems to have vanished. Its place was later occupied by a shorter, tripod mast that carried the forward whistle or foghorn. But I don't know when the tripod mast was erected. The earliest photo I have found to show this is also attached. The date of this photo is unclear but from the QM/QE suites and the colours of the funnel and lifeboat tops, it was after 1977 (but not during the blue boot-topping period of 1979-80). This tripod mast (or one like it) appeared again after the Falklands refit and was there until "the end". Meanwhile, I'd appreciate some help in getting the detail right!
My driving reason for wanting to find out about the foredeck layout is that I am trying to finish a Revell 1:450 scale model of QE2 and the superstructure depicted in that model date between 1972-1977. I'll be posting some pictures of the progress on that model in due course.
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Hello - Greetings and a warm welcome here!
Having seen very many of your wonderful photos, it's lovely to catch up with you again!
About this slender mast - it sounds fascinating! There will be others who will almost certainly throw more light on the matter.
In the meantime, just a couple of things - in your early photo, do you know if by any chance - it's a watercolour painting?
Secondly, is this the skinny mast that you are referring to, here?
https://www.flickr.com/photos/glasgowfamilyalbum/11338358715/
It comes from a great collection on this topic:
https://www.theqe2story.com/forum/index.php/topic,5787.0.html
Will keep looking for you, and others will undoubtedly 'chip in too!
Rob has a posted a great aerial shot taken in '69 (I think), and that may well help too.
Just can't find it at the moment!
All the best,
Rosie
(PS - Hoping you'll have a ticket and camera at the ready for a detailed account of the 'Re-Mastered' version of the mighty younger Queen!)
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Thanks, Twynkle, for the photo links and yes, I believe it is the mast I am on about.
Interestingly, the Airfix 1:600 scale plastic kit also has this "extra mast" on the foredeck and the instuctions for making the kit (which I still have!) refer to it as a "telescopic mast" and describe it as "optional" in the making of the kit model.
(PS I made this model some 30 years ago (photos attached) so please make allowances for the slightly discoloured joint stains and faded colours!)
I am puzzled that none of the refits listed in great detail by Michael Gallagher mention anything about this mast. This is why I would like to find out when and why it disappeared - and whether it was at the same time that the first tripod fog-horn mast was installed.
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I have a question, when QE2 was launched I didn't see a "box" (I'll attach photos) but in later pictures, I see this box. Does anyone know what refit gave her the "box"?
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I have a question, when QE2 was launched I didn't see a "box" (I'll attach photos) but in later pictures, I see this box. Does anyone know what refit gave her the "box"?
See this topic https://www.theqe2story.com/forum/index.php/topic,7118.0.html (look for lookout bar mentions)
And this :
https://www.theqe2story.com/forum/index.php/topic,450.0.html
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See this topic https://www.theqe2story.com/forum/index.php/topic,7118.0.html (look for lookout bar mentions)
And this :
https://www.theqe2story.com/forum/index.php/topic,450.0.html
Thank you, Rob! :)
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Does anyone know what happened to the original tall bowmast on the foredeck?
Earliest photos of QE2 in 1969 show a tall, slender mast set back from the fo'c'stle and jackstaff (see attached). Considering its exposure, I would be surprised if it survived very long but if it was removed, when (and what circumstances) did it go?
I'm not sure of this was a collapsable or folding mast but at some point after 1969, it seems to have vanished. Its place was later occupied by a shorter, tripod mast that carried the forward whistle or foghorn. But I don't know when the tripod mast was erected. The earliest photo I have found to show this is also attached. The date of this photo is unclear but from the QM/QE suites and the colours of the funnel and lifeboat tops, it was after 1977 (but not during the blue boot-topping period of 1979-80). This tripod mast (or one like it) appeared again after the Falklands refit and was there until "the end". Meanwhile, I'd appreciate some help in getting the detail right!
My driving reason for wanting to find out about the foredeck layout is that I am trying to finish a Revell 1:450 scale model of QE2 and the superstructure depicted in that model date between 1972-1977. I'll be posting some pictures of the progress on that model in due course.
I think I have seen photos from back when QE2 was new, recently, and the black ball (not sure of the actual nautical name!) used when at anchor or under restricted manoeuvrability (as on the Sandbanks Chain Ferry just down the road from me) which was later attached to a mast that was then attached to the foghorn assembly was instead "flown" from this tall mast originally and that was its primary purpose. It would seem the black ball needs to be at a certain height above the deck, perhaps for smaller vessels passing close by to have line of sight? My photo below from July 2008 shows the black ball "flying" from the tall mast that was attached to the back of the foghorn assembly when anchored in Propriano, Corsica on her only visit there:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4388/36675783613_48e852872e_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/XSUYGM)QE2 Mediterranean cruise, July 2008 (my last trip on QE2) (https://flic.kr/p/XSUYGM) by Thomas Hypher (https://www.flickr.com/photos/thomashypher/), on Flickr
My Dad's video below shows the black ball arrangement in more detail from about 20 seconds in, as we hauled anchor in Monte Carlo/Monaco a couple of days later on from Propriano, on the same voyage and what was her last ever visit to Monte Carlo/Monaco:
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Black ball explanation Thomas, http://kb.rocna.com/kb/Anchor_signals
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Black ball explanation Thomas, http://kb.rocna.com/kb/Anchor_signals
Thank you for the link to the explanation Pete :) . Interesting to note how much local rules can differ between places.
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Here's an observation and nautical knowledge question;
Watch closely and you'll see one of the sailors walk forward and ring the bell on two different occasions twice, each one was different, why was he doing this?
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There are lots of answers to what's been mentioned here in our QE2 anchors topic
https://www.theqe2story.com/forum/index.php?topic=215.0
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Here's an observation and nautical knowledge question;
Watch closely and you'll see one of the sailors walk forward and ring the bell on two different occasions twice, each one was different, why was he doing this?
Isn't it where a sailor rings the bell when a certain number of fathoms is passed in hauling up the anchor (I can't remember the particular number of fathoms though that have to pass between ringing the bell) and this is marked on the anchor chains - in QE2's case with red paint. I may have got the unit of measurement (fathoms) wrong in this context though!
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Well done Thomas, yes it's to signal how much of the anchor cable is still out, he'll signal as the relevant markers appear in the hawse pipe.
Although the Officer on the platform is in communications with the bridge by radio, ringing the bell lets everyone working on the FX what the state of the anchor recovery is.
When i was on Ocean Village, we were anchored off Villefranche-sur-mar for a days call when, as the anchor was being recovered the anchor clutch motor burnt out. The only answer was to cut the anchor cable and drop the anchor to the sea bed!
We sailed around for about a month with only one anchor until, on a turnaround day in Palma, we had a new replacement anchor delivered and, after a very long day for the deckies and tech team, it was fitted and we sailed only slightly late.
Not the easiest of jobs fitting a 12 ton anchor while alongside!
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Staying on anchors.
We were at anchor in St. Thomas I believe, they hauled anchor and it was tangled, looked like a big knot!
Capt. Ridley I believe it was, after much lowering, raising and maneuvering, got it "untied" and off we went!
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Forward deck December 1983 after the refit in Bremerhaven. We were on a two day cruise to nowhere which was our first voyage on the ship. There was a lot of work going on to finish her whilst we were on board. Didn't put us off!
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There are lots of answers to what's been mentioned here in our QE2 anchors topic
https://www.theqe2story.com/forum/index.php?topic=215.0
As Rob kindly links above - we spent a fair amount of time on Foredeck matters some time ago!
The Anchor bell is rung to show how many shackles of chain you have out when anchoring, isn't it?
The bridge (hopefully!!! ;) ) will know the depth of the sea floor when parking as well as anchoring.,
it can also be used when foggy should the whistle have failed!
The Anchor ball is to show that the ship is not moving, isn't it?
Very hopefully, QE2 still has both hers in situ!
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The Anchor bell is rung to show how many shackles of chain you have out when anchoring, isn't it?
Ah shackles was the unit of measurement I was looking for in answer to Andy's test question above! Thank you Rosie!
The Anchor ball is to show that the ship is not moving, isn't it?
When a vessel is anchored or of restricted manoeuvrability. The Sandbanks Chain Ferry (just down the road from me) uses one of these black balls on each of it's two wheelhouses. The relevant black ball of the wheelhouse in use for one direction is raised whilst the other is lowered, so other traffic can see which direction across Poole Harbour entrance the chain ferry is expected to go.