QM2's Constanzi Stern

[highlander0108]

Probably the most controversial aspect of QM2's design, is her stern profile and the awkward transition from classic liner spoon shaped stern to flat areas required for the pod propulsion.  First, hydrodynamically, I am not versed as to why exactly the pods require flat surfaces above, but I suspect it has to do with the hydrodynamics and not just needing a flat area to mount the pods.  Other ships are mentioning having this feature.  I came across this on Reuben Goossens' website on the Oceanic.   http://www.ssmaritime.com/newsupdates.htm



Now for a not so subtle example of a very different looking stern, here is the Athena, which had these appendages added on at a later date for additional stability.   I am not sure where I found this photo, but since it is in Greenock, I suspect it is on a Clydebank related site.  This ship actually is quite famous as she was the Stockholm, the ship that collided with the Andrea Doria in the fog on th approach to NYC.  Apparently the Stockholm was a real roller on the seas.  The ship survived due to her icebreaking strength construction and has remained in service right up to today.  Apparently 150M US dollars were spent to upgrade the ship to latest SOLAS standards.

[jdl]

now that's a different version of a stern if ever I saw one!

No doubt the designer tried to minimise its visual impact by flaring it in to the stern but for my mind it doesn't really work.  Certainly makes the QM2's look positively beautiful!!!!

jdl

[Andy F]

Certainly makes the QM2's look positively beautiful!!!! jdl

Have to agree with you there!

[Andrew Collier]

Obviously not as pretty as a traditionaly cruiser stern, QE2's was probally as closer to perfect as we will ever see, but I am glad the designers of QM2 chose what they did over a transom stern like QV and all her ugly sisters.

It's not perfect, but its massivly better than it could have been, as poor Athena shows. Many ferries have been upgraded in the same way, back in the 70's/80's it was side bulges to enhace stability and more recently padding the sterns out, like Athena, terrbile shame :-(