50 amazing QE2 facts

[Waverley]

Number 50 is certainly different.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/cruises/3440417/Fifty-fascinating-QE2-facts.html

[RMS Queen Elizabeth 2]

Thanks for uploading that.  Great read i couldn't resist watching the video. QE2 does have some connections with Titanic and its all to do with one city Southampton. Its hard to imagine looking at pictures of Titanic in her Southampton dock 60 years later QE2 will be docked in the same place herself.
 
If Britannia had survived it would be an interesting centrepiece to have her inside QE2. Shows just how big QE2 really is.

[CAP]

If Britannia had survived it would be an interesting centrepiece to have her inside QE2. Shows just how big QE2 really is.

Attached is a seemingly "to scale" picture of QE2 & Britannia.  The picture of which the photo is taken hangs in one of the lifts on QM2 (stairway C )

[Malcolm]

I remember Thomas, on his Heritage Tour, saying that Britannia would have fitted inside the Grand Lounge.

[Twynkle]

Curious about Fact No. 40 - 'In March 1975, the QE2 made its first transit of Panama Canal, making it the biggest ship ever to travel through the canal. There was less than a foot to spare as the ship made its way through the canal locks'.

D. Hutchings  in QE2 - A ship for All Seasons, carefully mentions. '...less than 18 inches to spare...

[Andy F]

I guess he was right there though Rosie as 12 inches is certainly less than 18 lol!  However and whatever, the fact remains it was damn tight!

[Twynkle]

'The QE2’s rudder alone weighs 80 tons – around the same weight as 10 double-decker buses'.

 
Next question... What happened to the scales - 'where are they now' ?

[cunardqueen]

She was also the first ship to have an email address

And of course there is this one here  qedcapt1@cunard.com     It was also sadly the second last time l sent an email to QE2.  If you will permit, it was used to send this email, l did struggle and question if l should send it.   l did in the end hit  send


26/11/2008 23:52
 To qedcapt1@cunard.com 
cc 
Subject Captain Ian McNaught onboard Queen Elizabeth 2

 

 



Ian
   As an avid and loyal passenger of QE2 since 1986 it felt appropriate to write a few words to wish you all the best for tomorrow as you prepare to hand over, for what is to many of us,  a very special ship. QE2 was  entrusted to your care and you have looked after her as only you can, through good times and bad,
 
 To be part of the unique farewell celebrations on the UK and both crossings was part of history
As this special voyage draws to an end, the eyes and hearts of QE2s passengers will focus on 2pm for the handover.
 Im afraid for many of us this will signal the end of the great ship as we know her. I sure you have your own thoughts about the events and the handover.
 
In the meantime can l bring this to a close and let you know that many others share your passion for the worlds best loved ship ever and wish you all the best not only for tomorrow, But for the future ships you command, Unfortunately none will ever be the same as Queen Elizabeth 2
 
  Sincere and Kind Best wishes to you & Sue at this sad time
 
     Myles Devin
 
What is more sad, on coming to the end
Than the tears we shed, as we say Goodbye faithful friend
RMS QUEEN ELIZABETH 2
1967- 2008


And the very last email was to QE2 herself, just to say among other things, thanks for the memories word did filter back it was warmly  and sadly received. A crazy thing to do l know.
 I did on the crossing meet one of the ladies,by chance who handled the email system, thanked them for all they had done over the years and left a  small gift

[Malcolm]

And the very last email was to QE2 herself

Myles  You do know how to make a boy cry don't you?

[Cruise_Princess]

 Apologies if this topic is already covered....I DID look around but couldn't see anything....was leafing thru an old QE2 book in bed last night.....( don't we all??)  and a wee stat stuck in my mind.....QE2 is 963 feet long as we ALL know  but did you know she has 963 Cabins??  Probably you all did and I'm at the coos tail as always....how coincidental is THAT?    HAd anyone ACTUALLY counted them??  Just to check!!! 

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

I would love the Forum to draw up its own ever growing list of amazing QE2 facts.

This would definitely be there :

QE2 was the first Atlantic liner / cruise ship to have the company name on her sides. This was of course done as her new black and white funnel did not identify her as a Cunarder. Plus it was also in line with airline companies placing their names on aircraft sides.

[Waverley]

Isabelle, another first for the QE2 would have to include:

The QE2 was the first passenger vessel to be guided by satellite navigation.

[Michael Gallagher]

The Cruise Director asked me to send him 108 facts about QE2 as he wanted to use a different one on each day's Daily Programme during the World Cruise. The facts with 'x's had to be completed depending on when that fact was used. A

The document is attached.

[Peter Mugridge]

Fact #35 in that document is of great interest to me because that is just three days before Yola and I boarded her... 

[Cruise_Princess]

Number 105 is fabulous......I don't think any Cunard Captain would be allowed to do that now would they? They don;t seem to have the same power any more is that right?