QE2's Variable Pitch Propellers

[skilly56]

Many variables come into the propeller decision - ship's draft (dictates prop diameter), ship's beam (1 prop or two), speed required (1 prop or 2?),
installed horsepower and type of machinery, (1 larger prop if deep draft hull, or 2 smaller props if shallow draft vessel), manoeuvring requirements (CPP or fixed pitch?), is the ship Ice Class?, what fuel does machinery burn (HFO = slow speed diesel = large slow prop, or IFO = medium speed diesels, so shaft speeds could be higher, with smaller props). And so the list goes on.

Skilly

[skilly56]

Tossing out all sorts of marine stuff - and found this in a 1995 Marine Engineers Review.

The history of the Grim Vane Wheel (...well, they named that right!).
Or, whatever happened to the rest of them!

See Below:

[Twynkle]

Hi Skilly

Thank You!
These have always fascinated me - to the point that I think they appear under several topics here on TQSF
including this one!
https://www.theqe2story.com/forum/index.php/topic,1785.msg6303.html#msg6303
Very best 'everything' to you both
Rosie

(Sent an email in your direction - Guessing you'll be extra busy...?)

[Rob Lightbody]

Tossing out all sorts of marine stuff - and found this in a 1995 Marine Engineers Review.

The history of the Grim Vane Wheel (...well, they named that right!).
Or, whatever happened to the rest of them!

See Below:

Great stuff!  Thanks for taking the time to scan & post this material, its greatly appreciated, and I'm enjoying reading it all very much, as I'm sure are our "guests" !

[Trevor Harris]

Bumped. Seems appropriate for the time.

[Rob Lightbody]

QE2 was on her third set of propellers, fitted in July 1988, when she arrived in Dubai.

What were they made of?


How many miles did they take her?  Set 2 can't have taken her very far, but we need to subtract that from the set 1 number and the total number...

[Thomas Hypher]

QE2 was on her third set of propellers, fitted in July 1988, when she arrived in Dubai.

What were they made of?


How many miles did they take her?  Set 2 can't have taken her very far, but we need to subtract that from the set 1 number and the total number...

Maybe half her 6 million or so nautical miles given she was halfway through her seagoing life by 1988, although I get the impression she had a higher availability once re-engined but then her cruising "semi-retirement" from 2004, inclusive, meant she spent more time in port on each voyage so maybe it balances out in comparison with her original set of propellers? Wonder if someone who knows can do the maths or has done the maths already - maybe CAP has?

[Michael Gallagher]

Never any good at maths but QE2 passed her million records as follows:

One Million Miles      4 December 1975
Two Million Miles      18 March 1983
Three Million Miles      18 – 23 June 1989
Four Million Miles      3 January 1996
Five Million Miles      1 September 2002

The third set of propellers were fitted in mid July 1988 and QE2 ultimately sailed 5,875,493.22 million nautical miles. So given the above and allow for, say 200,000 miles from July 1988 to June 1989 then it is fair to assume that the third set of props did over 3 million nautical miles. The third set was certainly busier than the first as the first had longer turnovers in ports, more frequent refits etc so that contributes to the fact the third set did the majority of miles.

[June Ingram]

Many thanks, Michael !  Just fascinating information !

[Thomas Hypher]

Excellent information as usual, thank you Michael!

[Rob Lightbody]

Given Michael's quote below, that the QE2s last set of propellors took her around 3 million nautical miles, is that likely to be a record for any propellors ever?

Never any good at maths but QE2 passed her million records as follows:

One Million Miles      4 December 1975
Two Million Miles      18 March 1983
Three Million Miles      18 – 23 June 1989
Four Million Miles      3 January 1996
Five Million Miles      1 September 2002

The third set of propellers were fitted in mid July 1988 and QE2 ultimately sailed 5,875,493.22 million nautical miles. So given the above and allow for, say 200,000 miles from July 1988 to June 1989 then it is fair to assume that the third set of props did over 3 million nautical miles. The third set was certainly busier than the first as the first had longer turnovers in ports, more frequent refits etc so that contributes to the fact the third set did the majority of miles.