QE2 Anchors

[highlander0108]

Now that we have established what the hawse pipes "nostrils" at bow are, I have another question.  Does anyone  know when and why the bow anchor was removed and the plate welded over the opening?  The anchor is prominently visible on the cover of Carol Thatchers "QE2: 40 Years Famous" book, which is a photo of QE2 very early in her years, if not her inagural season. I never noticed the patch until after I bought the book and stared at the beautiful cover photo for a while and compared it with some of my photos.

KenM

[Andrew Collier]

According to 'QE2' by Ronald Warwick & William Flayhart III, the original version from 1985, The original stem anchor was removed following damage in an Atlantic storm in 1981, it was repositioned on the foredeck to be used as a spare. This was to replace the original spare which had been on the foredeck since building, but which was lost overboard in another Atlantic storm in 1976. The anchor position on the stem was plated over and the stem anchor never replaced.

Apparently the storm caused the anchor to be pushed back up into the bow and jammed there. Upon the removal of the stem anchor, oppertunity was taken to reinforce the bow in the area it had been.

Cheers, Andrew

[highlander0108]

Thanks Andrew.  I have the second edition of the book I I did not see any mention of the anchor modifications.  I would imagine that anchor took alot of beating in that position.  Also, that must have been a serious storm to loose an anchor off the foredeck.

Ken

[Andrew Collier]

You're welcome Ken, musta been some storm you're right!

Highly recommend the first edition of the book if you can get your hands on it, lots of colour pictures of the launch and earlier interiors, and all before the new engines too, I prefer it ;-)

[Twynkle]

Here it is!

QE2 Weighing and washing anchor for the last time on Edinburghs waters.
You could hear the splashing of the mud as it hits the water.

[Twynkle]

Never thought we'd see this again!
With grateful thanks.......!

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

Great to have this conversation at this time!

I have just finished uploading my photos and videos of the last anchor port we ever visited (Bar Harbor)... even though we did not know it was the last one while we were there... (we did not stop at St John's Newfoundland a week later because of inclement weather...  )

I just loved watching all the work associated with bringing the anchor back in, and the various visible and audible signals sent to the bridge to indicate the state of progress. Here, I attempted a write-up -- please let me know any errors... :

https://www.flickr.com/photos/prondis_in_kenya/2870398931/

There are also a couple of videos from Newport and Bar Harbor, here :

https://www.flickr.com/search/?w=55206992@N00&q=weigh+anchor+video&m=tags

Oh....! And you will be congratulating me on the fact that I have meanwhile realised videos cannot be rotated 

[Twynkle]

Wonderful post  Isabelle - Thank You!

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

QE2 Weighing and washing anchor for the last time on Edinburghs waters.
You could hear the splashing of the mud as it hits the water.

That is a truly fascinating video, Rosie! First of all, I have never observed QE2 using her port side anchor (but saw it on the photos of her final call to Edinburgh)...

But also... never have I seen what goes on by the bow of the ship as the anchor chain and the anchor itself are hauled in. An amazing view! No wonder the boats were all gathering round to have a look!

Where is all the water coming from? Is that the water we see the men hosing the anchor chain down with on the forecastle?

[Stowaway2k]

QE2 Weighing and washing anchor for the last time on Edinburghs waters.
You could hear the splashing of the mud as it hits the water.

I couldn't hear anything but singing.      Boy, that "QE2 Weighs Anchor" video sure is awesome...   

[Bob C.]

For anyone interested, I just scanned this photo from Aug 1969.  Great view of the bow anchor and the relatively thin plates at the anchors base that seat flush with the bow anchor hawse.  It's got to be a lot of force to jam this up into the hawse but not surpising given some of the shots I've seen of the bow plunging into the waves.

Good news for Isabelle - my dad's slides arrived today which span QE2 from 1969-1977.  Some real treats in the 30 or so slides scanned so far.  Many many more to go and wil post them soon.

If anyone is interested in any particular view, public room, cabin, etc. from the 70's, email me a request and I'll see if I have a photo of it.

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[Isabelle Prondzynski]

Good news for Isabelle - my dad's slides arrived today which span QE2 from 1969-1977.  Some real treats in the 30 or so slides scanned so far.  Many many more to go and wil post them soon.

If anyone is interested in any particular view, public room, cabin, etc. from the 70's, email me a request and I'll see if I have a photo of it.

Wonderful news, Bob! Glad that they arrived safely and looking forward to seeing them all! Maybe worth starting a free account with flickr for them?

Take your time but keep them coming!     

Very impressive picture of the bow anchor... so well caught!
And now... if there are any pics of the Lookout Bar, that would be great...

[highlander0108]

Thanks Bob for the great shot.  I am amazed on how much rust is visible on the ship, though, when viewed up close.  Coatings have improved immensely since 1969.  I wonder if the ship was still on it's original 1967 paint job?

[Louis De Sousa]

Heres a view of the anchor

[highlander0108]

Maybe this helps Andy

When did the spare anchor stowed on deck get removed and where did it go?  Is this the spare anchor that was going to come back home to Southampton?

Ken