QE2 Story Forum
The QE2's Story (in-service) => Service Life (1969 - 2008) => The 1990s => Topic started by: Rob Lightbody on Jul 26, 2020, 11:33 PM
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Text is ©TheQE2Story and Michael Gallagher and not to be reproduced without permission
On 27 July 1990 QE2 arrived and anchored in her allocated position. Shortly afterwards she was joined by the Cunarders Vistafjord and Atlantic Conveyor which both also took up their designated positions. The three vessels were joined by dozens of private yachts, motor boats and excursion vessels all keen to take part in the planned Royal review of Cunard and Royal Navy ships at Spithead by HM The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh on board Royal Yacht Britannia.
The Royal Yacht left Portsmouth, led by the Trinity House vessel Patricia and followed by HMS Broadsword, at 0925 hours and passed the portsides of the anchored Cunarders. QE2 and Vistafjord passengers lined the boat decks and cheered as the Britannia passed. A Concorde, a 767 and 747 then made a flypast in salute before Britannia anchored and a second flypast, consisting of a Sea King, Lynx and Dauphin helicopters and a Harrier jump jet, took place.
The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh then transferred to QE2 by Royal Barge. Receptions were held in the Queens Room and Grand Lounge, with The Queen unveiling a plaque in the latter, prior to lunch. The assembled ships dispersed and QE2 left her anchorage at 1345 hours and proceeded to her berth in Southampton. This was the first time The Queen had sailed on the ship she had launched 23 years earlier. As QE2 was berthing the royal party were on the Bridge where they were introduced to Captain Warwick. QE2 berthed ahead of the Vistafjord and later that evening both ships were serenaded with a firework finale.
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More images of the day attached.
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2 more pics attached.
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A few more....
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That last photo is a beauty, Michael. It is the first time that I see a photo of these two ships together.
Out of the same shipyard, John Brown's. Could one say at the Royal Yacht is an older sister of QE2?
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I was on the Vistafjord for that one, remember seeing the Queen waving from the Britannia.
Have to say that the Royal Yacht looked fantastic, gleaming from end to end!
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That last photo is a beauty, Michael. It is the first time that I see a photo of these two ships together.
Out of the same shipyard, John Brown's. Could one say at the Royal Yacht is an older sister of QE2?
I think the photo in question was used by Ron Warwick in his QE2 book or by David F Hutchings' in his "QE2: A Ship For All Seasons" or at least the 1990s editions of the books, which is where I first saw it. It's a wonderful, historic photo!
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Fabulous photos and good to see the daily programme.
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I believe the Captain on the bridge is Captain Robin Woodall and not Captain Warwick.
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I believe the Captain on the bridge is Captain Robin Woodall and not Captain Warwick.
That's correct, all the photos of a captain in this topic are of Captain Woodall. If I recall correctly, Captain Ron Warwick was given command of QE2 (for the first time) around the time of, or during this event as Captain Woodall was otherwise engaged with the formalities. QE2 had two of her captains onboard (albeit only one in command) and not for the last time. I am not sure if Captain Woodall had become Commodore by this point, as he would be on retirement from Cunard and QE2 in 1994 as shown during "QE2 The Last Great Liner" a documentary from 1995.