QE2 Whistles

[Mauretania1907]

The sound of QMary2's horn is a definite two tone, unlike QE2 who has a solid and powerful voice. Again many thanks to those who posted these on Youtube.

[Twynkle]

This is a truly great video - I've written to it's Maker expressing very much gratitude!  
QM2 and QE2 An Atlantic Farewell

[Rob Lightbody]

The information about QM1's horns appears to be incorrect - I've received this from someone who worked on board QM1

Electric? Of course they were steam, I was there in the boiler rooms for five years. As for 1932, the Queen Mary had no funnels to install the whistles.

[Twynkle]

QE2 Whistle on 40th anniversary of launch

Thanks to Magthecoder




Following the posting of the QE2 and QM2 whistling to each other, the Maker of that video also referred to this one!  
It's his recording of the QE2's Whistle, made on her the 40th Anniversary of her launch!

'Onboard QE2 40th Birthday Whistle Salute'
Three Cheers with Captain McNaught!

[Twynkle]

June 2008.  The penultimate time that The QE2 sailed into Geiranger Fjord

[Twynkle]

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Sailing through the Fjord towards Geiranger, for the Final time - August 2008

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

Sailing through the Fjord towards Geiranger, for the Final time - August 2008

That's a beauty, Rosie. I have always loved, loved, loved, those moments when QE2 with her wonderful whistle and overawing majesty, plays along with far smaller ships (and, on one occasion, a crowd of hooting school children!) in a to-and-fro banter of blasts.

And indeed, my life with QE2 ended in just such a way, with a whistle exchange between Balmoral and QE2 on the dark Clyde, when QE2 left for that final time, with whistle greetings sent to and fro, only this time not merry but full of lament, and with the hills on either side of the river sending back the echo. And us, hushed, taking it in... a huge mix of powerful emotions.

[Kindlychap]

That's a beauty, Rosie. I have always loved, loved, loved, those moments when QE2 with her wonderful whistle and overawing majesty, plays along with far smaller ships (and, on one occasion, a crowd of hooting school children!) in a to-and-fro banter of blasts.

We visited Geiranger twice on QE2. On both occasions we had encounters such as this one, and it really was the best place to hear the whistle, as it echoed around and around the fjord. Memories......

Matthew

[Twynkle]

The Final Arrival at Geiranger, Norway - enjoy!

Thanks to Svarten42

[singlemalt]

aww Mrs Twnkyle - we were there!!! Marvellous or what?
I know exactly where i was standing, what photos I was taking, conversations I was involved in and the general wow factor of the whistle echoing around the fjord. Blissful times 

Random highlight of the day - clicked on one of the linkies below it of kids in QE2 pool in big waves and recognised Rob's wee Scottish giggle coming from behind the camera.
Didn't know he'd posted it on youtube; resulted in huge grin and fab memories of the day we never actually got to Alghero!

All roads lead back to QE2 connections on here it seems   

[Scott Ebersold]

Hey Guys,

I am a little confuse about all the discussion about Whistle and Horns.  I thought there were 2 "whistles" on QE2 in the Mast.  From what I'm reading, it seems like there is an addition "horn" on the fo'c's'le used on a time in the fog.  Just to clarify, is this correct? 

I agree with Kindlychap the whistles were never an issue during fog in the Penthouses.

And the question of steam or no steam on QM2 really confuses me.  I was on the maiden TA and a big deal was made about the Port whistle being the original whistle being the original steam whistle from QM with an electric "duplicate" on the Starboard.  When onboard the Port whistle definitely emits steam, the starboard does not.  I was on the QE2 on the final tandem to NY and when the ships neared NY they got very close together and steam was clearly coming out of QM2's port whistle.

scott

[Rob Lightbody]

Its fake steam on QM2 though Scott, there purely for retro effect, like so much of QM2.

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

Wondering about the QE2 whistle...
... has it perhaps changed in the course of the years?

Rob's web site has it sounding like this :

http://roblightbody.com/liners/qe-2/QE2_Whistle.wav

... which is how I believe I remember it from the early 2000s (when I was far less observant as far as QE2 goes)... it seemed to have a constant volume of sound.

Latterly (up to November 2008), the whistle had to my ears a more "pumping" rhythm, like a breath or a heartbeat, volume rising and falling.

Does my question make sense, as such? And has there been a change in the whistle, or is it my poor observation skill and memory?

Just wondering...

[Twynkle]

Captain McNaught, her Whistle and The 'pool!

'October 4th, 2008, the Cunard liner Queen Elizabeth 2 made her final visit to Liverpool - the place she was conceived'.

It was an emotional and historic day as Liverpool paid tribute to, and said goodbye to this beautiful ship'
With thanks to mcpcshowcase

[Twynkle]

Regarding what the Whistle 'expresses'...

Might it be possible for someone to explain what 'messages' may be sent by 'Whistle'?
Is there a translation?  Can anything be misinterpreted?

This is a naive question coming from a curious QE2 nut, willing to learn!

It particularly applies to our experience of the QE2!!