QE2 Sea Trials and 1969 Maiden Voyage Videos

[June Ingram]

These are wonderful, Rob !  Thanks for posting them. 

[pete cain]

Wow, Ford Anglias, Vauxhall Cresta A lady on the dockside blowing up baloons, no Hi-vis jackets,  flat hats,Train directly alongside, Parcels van with destination chalked on side of coachwork, I could go on,   but above it all ---- QE2, magnificent, & what was asked ? will she make a profit, little did they know, & look how it all ended up, so unnecessary

[Lynda Bradford]

On the anniversary of QE2's 1969 Maiden voyage (2 - 7 May 1969)enjoy the fabulous videos on this topic that show the passengers and crew.

https://www.theqe2story.com/forum/index.php/topic,5451.msg62129.html#msg62129

[June Ingram]

Thank you very much, Lynda, for posting the link to these great videos on the anniversary of QE2's maiden voyage to New York.

A toast to our beloved QE2 ! - Forever Queen of the Seas !!

[Trevor Harris]

Hello! I have found two interesting videos dating back to her first few years. Please correct me if I got the years wrong!

This first one is a trial from 1968

This one is the maiden voyage from 1969

Enjoy! 

[Twynkle]

A short, silent video of the start of QE2's Maiden Voyage
https://www.britishpathe.com/video/maiden-voyage-of-the-qe2

[Trevor Harris]

A short, silent video of the start of QE2's Maiden Voyage
https://www.britishpathe.com/video/maiden-voyage-of-the-qe2

Thanks, Rosie!

[Brandon Sterkel]

What an interesting find, Rosie!

[Philippe Spanner]

After nearly 49 years, It still puts a smile on my face watching the video of the QE2 moving away from dock. At counter 50 and 58 you can hear a trumpet sound. I was exhausted running down to the cabin to pick up my trumpet, and running back up to the forward, starboard side of the ship to give a farewell salute. The intention was to play a tune but I lost my embouchure due to my running. The cook ( former Military Soldier) standing next to me took over and played a tune, that was deleted by the news cutting room. On the final transatlantic crossing with my wife, I once again sounded out to the Queen Mary 2 sailing in tandem alongside. This time with the bugle that came from the QE2 pig and whistle.
   

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

What a wonderful memory, Philippe! I would have loved to have been there when you played that trumpet .

Did you sail QE2 in between those two great events too?

[Twynkle]

After nearly 49 years, It still puts a smile on my face watching the video of the QE2 moving away from dock. At counter 50 and 58 you can hear a trumpet sound. I was exhausted running down to the cabin to pick up my trumpet, and running back up to the forward, starboard side of the ship to give a farewell salute. The intention was to play a tune but I lost my embouchure due to my running. The cook ( former Military Soldier) standing next to me took over and played a tune, that was deleted by the news cutting room. On the final transatlantic crossing with my wife, I once again sounded out to the Queen Mary 2 sailing in tandem alongside. This time with the bugle that came from the QE2 pig and whistle.
 

Hello Philippe Spanner and a very warm Welcome!
What an amazing story!
This is definitely one which will be helping hugely in keeping the legend of QE2 very much alive!
The Maiden voyage must have been a great experience, and the Tandem crossing with QM2 as well - just guessing here that your own QE2 story could have been very interesting too! 

Was your trumpet on board because you were one of the ship's musicians - and, do you know whether the bugle had always been a permanent fixture in the Pig?
Rosie

[Thomas Hypher]

After nearly 49 years, It still puts a smile on my face watching the video of the QE2 moving away from dock. At counter 50 and 58 you can hear a trumpet sound. I was exhausted running down to the cabin to pick up my trumpet, and running back up to the forward, starboard side of the ship to give a farewell salute. The intention was to play a tune but I lost my embouchure due to my running. The cook ( former Military Soldier) standing next to me took over and played a tune, that was deleted by the news cutting room. On the final transatlantic crossing with my wife, I once again sounded out to the Queen Mary 2 sailing in tandem alongside. This time with the bugle that came from the QE2 pig and whistle.
 

Welcome onboard Philippe! A great QE2 story! I was on the tandem voyage, on QM2, but unfortunately cannot remember hearing a Bugle. When did you play the Bugle on that voyage? When the two ships came closer together on the final sea day and saluted each other?

[Philippe Spanner]

I joined QE2 while the ship was in dry dock, then a trip to Gibraltar followed by the maiden voyage. I was on board for nearly 2 years, then met my wife to be, and never went back. She was a 13 year old schoolgirl.
  Her father left the Queen Mary when he met his wife to be, he is in his 80's now. I never imagined I would ever leave the QE2 but was the start of a very happy marriage.
 I played the bugle as we left New York and on the last day as both ships were alongside. QE2 on Starboard, QM2 on port. We faintly heard a cheer from QM2 as we got quite close, not necessarily from my playing. 
 I worked in the kitchen peeling potatoes and onions when I started, then worked up to assistant cook then waiter in the Britannia restaurant. On one trip I was asked if I would serve Sir Basil Smallpiece ( chairman of Cunard) who wanted to experience the service in Britannia. From spud peeling to serving Sir Basil in one year.
  The bugle was owned by the barman of the pig and whistle. We decided one day to swop instruments but keeping our own mouthpieces. When the mouthpiece was being taken off the bugle it broke the neck, then it became mine. I repaired it years later.
  I made a scrapbook of life on board and viewed by Captain Warwick on the last trip.

[Lynda Bradford]

We received a very interesting story from a forum guest who lives in USA.  Her Mum was onboard QE2's maiden voyage to travel to USA to be married - see story below

Does anyone have photos of people on the Maiden Voyage when the ship sailed into New York? 

It would be fantastic if we could help with this enquiry. 

I came across your website on facebook. I am looking for some help.

My mother, Renuka Amin, was on the maiden voyage of the QE2. Her brothers bought her a ticket to sail to the USA to meet my father, and be married 4 days after arriving in NYC.

She traveled alone, but speaks so fondly of the journey and the anticipation of starting a new life in a new country.

There are no surviving pictures or documents of her on the ship. As my parents are about to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary, I am desperately trying to find photographs or video footage of her. Here's what I know-

She was on the front on deck of the ship upon arriving in NYC to enjoy the celebrations.
She wore a light blue/green sari with a brown coat on the day, her hair in a beehive

My parents have lived a wonderful American dream life and this maiden passage was the start of it all. Any direction you can provide would bring so much joy.
/quote]

[Lynda Bradford]

What better way to celebrate QE2's maiden voyage than to enjoy viewing these videos. 

https://www.theqe2story.com/forum/index.php?topic=5451.msg55278#msg55278