QE2 on the Clyde 1994, 2007 & 2008

[Clydebuilt1971]

I dug out some photos "wot I took" of the old girl on the Clyde over the years and thought I would share some with you.

1st up some taken from August 1994. I was out on a mate's rib and we got close enough to almost touch her hull but we had an injection of sense and backed off!!!

The sailing ship was apparently chartered by Scottish Power.

[Clydebuilt1971]

2007 next and QE2's visit to Greenock as part of her 40th anniversary round UK cruise. Weather wasnt too great but as always Clydesiders turned out in force. I was on mv Balmoral - who operates in support of Waverley. Balmoral turned out to be the ideal escort vessel and we were the only ship who kept up with QE2 down river to just off Toward Point where the liner discharged her pilot and "floored it!"

The Calmac ferry is mv Saturn (1977) who had a full house that day as well but she didnt have the speed to keep up with the world's fastest liner as she began to put way on heading down the firth.

The atmosphere was great with much exchanging of horns and whistles - QE2 even starting a bit of a competition to see who would have the last "honk"!

[Clydebuilt1971]

And finally - the sad one.
In glorius sunshine QE2 returned to the river of her birth for the final time - escorted by the usual flotilla of small craft and also Type 42 Destroyer HMS Manchester.

Our escort vessel was once again mv Balmoral.


Gav

[Clydebuilt1971]

Still on the Clyde but ashore!

This pic shows the patterns for part of QE2's original Pametrada turbine casings. These are on show at the Scottish Maritime Museum at Irvine, Ayrshire, Scotland.

The turbines you can see to the right of shot are from Clyde steamer King George V (as far as I can remember)

Gav

[Clydebuilt1971]

Another one from 2007 by Tom Carreyette.

This was taken from Balmoral and demonstrates
(1) How close were allowed to get to QE2 that day.
(2) The extent of Balmoral's port list as everyone crowds to one side to get a good view!!!

Gav

[Rob Lightbody]

This pic shows the patterns for part of QE2's original Pametrada turbine casings. These are on show at the Scottish Maritime Museum at Irvine, Ayrshire, Scotland.

Has this mould made it temporarily to the Clydebuilt museum - or is it a different but identical one? 

See the photo on this post of mine - https://www.theqe2story.com/forum/index.php/topic,712.msg12193.html#msg12193

[Rob Lightbody]

Also taken from the wonderful Balmoral:-

My photos of QE2 in 2007

https://www.flickr.com/photos/lightbody/sets/72157607800832549/

My photos of QE2 in 2008

https://www.flickr.com/photos/lightbody/sets/72157602100953447/

My videos of 2007 and 2008 are at www.youtube.com/roblightbody but here's one to start with.

[Rob Lightbody]

I'll also add a link to this topic that shows Waverley & QE2 together in 1990

https://www.theqe2story.com/forum/index.php/topic,179.0.html

[Clydebuilt1971]

Think you might be right about the turbine casings Rob.

Gav

[Clydebuilt1971]

Just found an excellent shot of QE2 being assisted by clyde tug Flying Phantom during her 2007 birthday visit.

Unfortunately 2007 ended in tragedy for the Phantom when she sank just across the river from QE2's building berth in thick fog on the night of 19th December with the loss of 3 of her 4 crew including her skipper Stevie Humphreys whom Shelagh & I both knew. The tug was assisting the bulker Red Jasmine at the time and the MAIB investigation concluded that she was girted by her tow. This brought it home just how dangerous a job towage is. Every year on 19th Dec I take a walk down to the James Watt Dock in Greenock where the tugs berth and take a few moments to remember Phantom and her crew.

Anyway  - sorry for the apparent doom and gloom! Flying Phantom was a favourite of mine being what I would describe as a tug that still looked like a tug rather than a dalek. She was also the last clyde tug to be built in a clyde yard (Ferguson Shipbuilders, Port Glasgow 1981) for Clyde Shipping Co Ltd.

This shot is a good action shot as Flying Phantom takes the strain on QE2's bow line as the liner prepares to be turned to leave the river. Up until 2007 Flying Phantom had assisted QE2 each time she returned home - a real tragedy that the tug and her crew never got to say goodbye to the old girl.

Image Copyright http://www.inverclydeimages.co.uk/Gallery.htm

[Cruise_Princess]

How tragic....thanks for the posting and the pic is great too...and yes she DOES look like a tug!!   Of course she would  as everything built on the Clyde was perfect!!

[Twynkle]

Just found an excellent shot of QE2 being assisted by clyde tug Flying Phantom during her 2007 birthday visit.

Unfortunately 2007 ended in tragedy for the Phantom when she sank just across the river from QE2's building berth in thick fog on the night of 19th December with the loss of 3 of her 4 crew including her skipper Stevie Humphreys whom Shelagh & I both knew. The tug was assisting the bulker Red Jasmine at the time and the MAIB investigation concluded that she was girted by her tow. This brought it home just how dangerous a job towage is. Every year on 19th Dec I take a walk down to the James Watt Dock in Greenock where the tugs berth and take a few moments to remember Phantom and her crew.

Anyway  - sorry for the apparent doom and gloom! Flying Phantom was a favourite of mine being what I would describe as a tug that still looked like a tug rather than a dalek. She was also the last clyde tug to be built in a clyde yard (Ferguson Shipbuilders, Port Glasgow 1981) for Clyde Shipping Co Ltd.

This shot is a good action shot as Flying Phantom takes the strain on QE2's bow line as the liner prepares to be turned to leave the river. Up until 2007 Flying Phantom had assisted QE2 each time she returned home - a real tragedy that the tug and her crew never got to say goodbye to the old girl.

Image Copyright http://www.inverclydeimages.co.uk/Gallery.htm

Hello Clydebuilt1971,
Her crew would surely have appreciated being remembered here, they must have worked hard for QE2.   
It's a great photo of Flying Phantom 'taking the strain', her leaning without listing is impressive.
There's more about tugs here, as well:
https://www.theqe2story.com/forum/index.php/topic,614.0.html
Rosie.

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

The final call of QE2 to Greenock and the Clyde has its own topic here :

https://www.theqe2story.com/forum/index.php/topic,1840.0.html

... and some wonderful photographs too! What a happy-and-sad day that was...

[Lynda Bradford]

Fantastic memories of QE2 on the Clyde. 

Enjoyed looking at the photos and video, especially Rob's remix video.   

[Lynda Bradford]

This is a topic that I enjoy coming back to again and again.  I particularly like Gavin's photos posted at the start of the topic. have a look and enjoy