QE2 and 9/11/2000

[Twynkle]

Are there memories of QE2 in connection with 9/11?

This report by the BBC gives an account of plans made for QE2 and her Master's family.
Because of 9/11 these needed to be changed.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7173282.stm

[Michael Gallagher]

QE2 was quite rightly the first big passenger ship back in New York and she paused off the Ground Zero site and Maureen Ryan threw a wreath overboard.

[Lynda Bradford]

We sailed on the QE2 in 2002 on the anniversary of 9/11. Passengers were a bit on edge as we approached the anniversary particularly because of news reports that a high profile ship could be a target for terrorist on the anniversary.  The captain assured passengers that there were contingency plans in place and that there was no need to worry.  I often wondered what the contingency plans were!

[Stowaway2k]

Are there memories of QE2 in connection with 9/11?

Post #42 in this cruisecritic thread tells a 9/11 QE2 story
http://cruiseforums.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1262569&page=3

[Cruise_Princess]

We sailed from NY just before 9/11 but were on board the final transatlantic of the SS Norway, .. en route home from a wonderful cruise in Alaska  .  The twin towers gleamed gold in the sunset as we sailed down the Hudson  it was stunning...so warm in the autumn sunshine...we couldn't help commenting how wonderful the views had been from the top.and having lunch the next day in the beautiful setting of the Windward Dining Room the captain announced what had happened........the entire ship fell silent  .....that day unfolded in somewhat slow motion..... ...it took us a very long time to even look at those  Twin Tower pics when we got home.

Ironically enough our first landfall was Greenock Scotland and they handled the situation very well indeed as  90% of  the passengers were Americans....some didn't know if there homes or families were still intact,  It was a very sombre trip indeed.

Sorry I know its not QE2....but still a LINER  leaving New York ......we were so close....and so lucky to have left when we did.

[Rob Lightbody]

Was anyone else on board QE2 for this event?

[cunardqueen]

QE2 was a day out from Southampton and l think she sailed into Boston...

[cunardqueen]

A poignant photo...

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[Rob Lightbody]

Thank you Myles, a fitting way to remember.

I was up the South Tower twice - in 1995 and then again in October 2000, less than a year before...

Am I right in thinking that QE2 was in service before they were completed?

[cunardqueen]

For what its worth, on a turnaround crossing in August 1991 we were taken for lunch in the Windows on the World. the lift seemed to whisk us up there in seconds. The view from the top was outstanding and did nothing for my phobia of heights.
To even stand near the windows was in its self hair raising. The lunch from memory was very nice and the journey back to street level really did leave your heart in your mouth. The actor Stewart Granger was rumoured to have just left.

Watching the views on TV ten years ago, really bought home the courage of the poor souls inside the Twin Towers and what a choice some of them faced from within the massive height of the buildings.......

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[Alistair]

I think they were completed in the early 70's Rob so QE2 would have been in service.
I was in New York in January 2001. I stayed in the Holiday Inn on Church Street and the view from my bedroom window was a portion of the twin towers soaring skywards. I spent a whole morning up at the viewing gallery and shop and even tried the helicopter simulator ride. It was a clear sunny day so the pictures I have are great. On they day they fell my thoughts were with the people working in the viewing gallery shops and restaurants who I had interacted with and who were most likely trapped there that terrible day.

[Rod]

Forgive me if this has been brought up before. If it has please direct me to the page.
Where was QE2 on 9/11. Was anyone on board? What did the ship do? How did they announce it? What was it like getting off the ship?

[Twynkle]

Hi Rod

I found this under Anniversaries - posted a while ago as part of Kyle's long list.

author=stowaway2k link=topic=314.msg3210#msg3210 date=1237739187

September: Terrorist attacks on New York City force QE2 to divert to Boston for the remainder of the year.

2002
January 8: QE2 becomes the first passenger ship to call in New York since the September 11 terrorist attacks. As she approached the site of the World Trade Center, she reduced speed, her flag was lowered to half-mast, and a wreath was laid in the harbor. She then sounded three long blasts of her whistle.

I seem to remember there has been discussion about it, but have failed to find anything.
It would be interesting to know more...
(Friends of mine were in NY, having booked their return passage on QE2 as an anniversary treat.
Because of the catastrophic events of 9/11, they made their way home by plane instead)
Rosie

[cunardqueen]

  I seem to remember there has been discussion about it, but have failed to find anything.
It would be interesting to know more...
   

Wasnt QE2 enroute to New York and diverted to either Boston or Baltimore.
I seem to recall a discussion on here also, but try finding it...
Cruise Princess, lm sure posted something about this..

[Michael Gallagher]

QE2 and Caronia were indeed diverted to Boston.