Author Topic: Members comments and contributions to QE2 Captains topic  (Read 37026 times)

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Online Isabelle Prondzynski

Re: Members comments and contributions to QE2 Captains topic
« Reply #75 on: Nov 29, 2015, 09:16 AM »
We have received a comment from rupertb, as follows :

Quote from: rupertb
I knew Harvey very well. He was not in the photo with the Captains of QE2 taken with the Queen in 2008. Harvey did have command of Cunard Countess on its trip to the Falklands taking the relatives there in 1982/3

Thank you very much, rupertb!

Offline Chris

Re: Members comments and contributions to QE2 Captains topic
« Reply #76 on: Jan 26, 2016, 04:53 AM »
Along with QE2, QM2 and QV, Commodore Rynd has also commanded Queen Elizabeth (3).

He spend some time moving between ships, commanding QM2 during her world voyages in 2012 and 2013.

In 2015 he was aboard QV when she rendezvoused with QM2 in Sydney to kick off 175 Year celebrations - the event caused quite a stir.

Today he is based full time aboard Queen Victoria.

As Commodore of the fleet, his commodore's pennant is flown from QV's bows.
🎥 Check out my QE2 & Cruise Ship Videos: https://www.youtube.com/chrisframeofficial/

Online Andy Holloway

Re: Members comments and contributions to QE2 Captains topic
« Reply #77 on: Jun 17, 2017, 04:49 PM »
David developed a brain tumour  in 2009. It was removed, but affected his balance and he moved into a care home. He unfortunately passed away on 13 January 2015, aged 72 years.

RIP David.

So sorry to hear of Captain David Carr's passing some 2 years too late unfortunately.

I well remember Captain David Carr as being the person who interviewed me when i first applied to Cunard in 1994. Then, two years later it was once again he who 'interviewed me', although this second time it was more a case of 'have you got your banks details with you'?

When, in 2000, i was transferred from Seabourn Sun [formerly Royal Viking Sun] to QE2, he was waiting for me at the gangway, took me to one side and said; "I've put my faith in you, don't let me down!"

He was always the first person you saw when the gangway opened on arrival in S'ton and the last to depart, and he did like his 'breakfast rolls' on the bridge after arrival!

One story about David that stands out in my mind was an incident with several racing pigeons.

We were on a Westbound Trannie and, the first day out 7 racing pigeons were spotted on the upper sun deck.  Unfortunately it was misty and despite the best efforts of the Security Staff and Roger the Deck Steward, we only managed to capture 3 and they were safely housed in the Kennels.
This incident was reported to Cunard S'ton and was duly released to the press. The next morning David was driving into work and in the 'headlines' prior to the main news at 0700 on BBC Radio Southampton, they said; " and in the news today Stowaways on QE2!" Well David nearly crashed his car in shock! Then, for the next 10 minutes of his commute, he was panicking about what had happened. Until, once they local news came on and he heard it was all about pigeons, and only then did his heart rate drop to anything near what could be considered normal!

A lovely man who so wanted to be Captain of QE2 but, due to his ill health, never made it.

May he rest in peace.

Online Lynda Bradford

Re: Members comments and contributions to QE2 Captains topic
« Reply #78 on: Jun 23, 2017, 04:06 PM »
Thanks for the memories of Captain Carr and the really funny story about the stowaway pigeons.
I was proud to be involved with planning QE2's 50 year conference in September 2017 in Clydebank

Offline Trevor Harris

Re: Members comments and contributions to QE2 Captains topic
« Reply #79 on: Jun 23, 2017, 04:19 PM »
Loved the story! Thank you for telling us!
Enjoyer of classic cinema, literature, and music.

Online Chris Thompson

Re: Members comments and contributions to QE2 Captains topic
« Reply #80 on: Jun 24, 2017, 07:42 PM »
I remembered a tale from the QE2 Casino many moons ago.....During a world cruise Captained by Bob Arnott, the daily program would periodically have the captains photo on the front page. To pass the time the Casino Cashiers would doctor up these photos depending on the location of the ship, one was Bob wearing a turban - Captain Ram Jam Sing Arnott, another with a chinese theme was Captain Fu Man Chu Arnott etc. These were posted above the Cash desk windows and out of view of Pax. Apparently Captain Arnott visited the cash desk one night to see how everyone was doing, there were a lot of very straight faces as his eyes perused the portrait collection, apparently he cracked a smile and said carry on chaps!!!

Online Lynda Bradford

Re: Members comments and contributions to QE2 Captains topic
« Reply #81 on: Jun 24, 2017, 11:14 PM »
Thanks Chris for the memory!  :) Brilliant to hear these stories that without the QE2 Story would not be heard.
I was proud to be involved with planning QE2's 50 year conference in September 2017 in Clydebank

Offline Richard Smith

Re: Members comments and contributions to QE2 Captains topic
« Reply #82 on: Jan 01, 2018, 06:37 PM »
My late father was Captain George E Smith, Number 2 on the list of QE2 Masters. He was born on 6 April 1914 in Grimsby, Lincolnshire. He joined the New Zealand Shipping Company as a cadet and attended the Grimsby Nautical College (as did Captain Peter Jackson). He then joined the United Baltic Co and after obtaining his Masters ticket he joined Cunard.

During the war he served on Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth and after the war served on almost all the ships in the Cunard fleet. His first command was the Alsatia, one of Cunard’s cargo fleet. He returned to the passenger fleet as a Staff Captain. He was the last but one Captain of Queen Elizabeth in 1966 before her sale.

When QE2 was being built Cunard appointed Captain William Warwick and Captain George Smith as the Captain and Staff Captain of QE2, each replacing the other during leave periods.

Before retirement Captain George Smith was in command of RMS Carmania and for a lengthy period RMS Franconia on the weekly Bermuda run out of New York.

He died on 10 July 1984 aged 70.
My father Captain George E Smith was the second ever Master of QE2 and the first Staff Captain. He was also Captain of Queen Elizabeth, Carmania and Franconia.

Online Thomas Hypher

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Re: Members comments and contributions to QE2 Captains topic
« Reply #83 on: Jan 01, 2018, 07:53 PM »
My late father was Captain George E Smith, Number 2 on the list of QE2 Masters. He was born on 6 April 1914 in Grimsby, Lincolnshire. He joined the New Zealand Shipping Company as a cadet and attended the Grimsby Nautical College (as did Captain Peter Jackson). He then joined the United Baltic Co and after obtaining his Masters ticket he joined Cunard.

During the war he served on Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth and after the war served on almost all the ships in the Cunard fleet. His first command was the Alsatia, one of Cunard’s cargo fleet. He returned to the passenger fleet as a Staff Captain. He was the last but one Captain of Queen Elizabeth in 1966 before her sale.

When QE2 was being built Cunard appointed Captain William Warwick and Captain George Smith as the Captain and Staff Captain of QE2, each replacing the other during leave periods.

Before retirement Captain George Smith was in command of RMS Carmania and for a lengthy period RMS Franconia on the weekly Bermuda run out of New York.

He died on 10 July 1984 aged 70.

Amazing connection! I never made the link when you first posted the other day. An amazing career too. Captain of Queen Elizabeth just before Commodore Geoffrey Marr I assume?
First sailed on QE2 in August 2003 aged 6 years old. Last sailed on QE2 in July 2008. Last saw the seagoing QE2 in person from the decks of QM2, on QE2's last Transatlantic crossing (Eastbound tandem) in October 2008. Visited QE2 in her new life, in Dubai, in January 2020 and August 2022.

Online Lynda Bradford

Re: Members comments and contributions to QE2 Captains topic
« Reply #84 on: Jan 01, 2018, 08:27 PM »
Welcome and thank-you Richard for giving us this information about your father, Captain. 

I will update Captain Smith's profile tomorrow with the information and photos you have provided plus any further information that you can suggest.

I have used the same format for all the Captains' profiles:  Background; Navy Career, Media Links and Sources of Information etc. 
 
https://www.theqe2story.com/forum/index.php/topic,5631.msg56597.html#msg56597

Best Wishes Lynda
I was proud to be involved with planning QE2's 50 year conference in September 2017 in Clydebank

Online Isabelle Prondzynski

Re: Members comments and contributions to QE2 Captains topic
« Reply #85 on: Jan 01, 2018, 10:27 PM »
Thank you, Richard, for joining us and sending this fascinating information about your father -- you must be immensely proud of him!

Do you have your own memories of QE2 and the other ships which your father commanded? Were you able to join him on board at times?

Offline Twynkle

Re: Members comments and contributions to QE2 Captains topic
« Reply #86 on: Jan 01, 2018, 10:57 PM »
Hi Thomas
Have you read Commodore G. T.Marr's biography?
'The Queens and I'
It is one of the best books to learn much from.
Rosie
« Last Edit: Jan 02, 2018, 08:12 AM by Twynkle »

Online Thomas Hypher

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Re: Members comments and contributions to QE2 Captains topic
« Reply #87 on: Jan 02, 2018, 11:30 AM »
Hi Thomas
Have you read Commodore G. T.Marr's biography?
'The Queens and I'
It is one of the best books to learn much from.
Rosie

Hi Rosie, I haven't - I will add his biography to my book wish list! However he is extensively mentioned and quoted in the very interesting Queen Elizabeth book: "Sabotage - The Mafia, Mao and the death of the Queen Elizabeth" by Brian Izzard.
First sailed on QE2 in August 2003 aged 6 years old. Last sailed on QE2 in July 2008. Last saw the seagoing QE2 in person from the decks of QM2, on QE2's last Transatlantic crossing (Eastbound tandem) in October 2008. Visited QE2 in her new life, in Dubai, in January 2020 and August 2022.

Online Lynda Bradford

Re: Members comments and contributions to QE2 Captains topic
« Reply #88 on: Jan 02, 2018, 11:55 AM »
My late father was Captain George E Smith, Number 2 on the list of QE2 Masters. He was born on 6 April 1914 in Grimsby, Lincolnshire. He joined the New Zealand Shipping Company as a cadet and attended the Grimsby Nautical College (as did Captain Peter Jackson). He then joined the United Baltic Co and after obtaining his Masters ticket he joined Cunard.

During the war he served on Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth and after the war served on almost all the ships in the Cunard fleet. His first command was the Alsatia, one of Cunard’s cargo fleet. He returned to the passenger fleet as a Staff Captain. He was the last but one Captain of Queen Elizabeth in 1966 before her sale.

When QE2 was being built Cunard appointed Captain William Warwick and Captain George Smith as the Captain and Staff Captain of QE2, each replacing the other during leave periods.

Before retirement Captain George Smith was in command of RMS Carmania and for a lengthy period RMS Franconia on the weekly Bermuda run out of New York.

He died on 10 July 1984 aged 70.

Richard, I have updated Captain Smith's profile with the information you provided
https://www.theqe2story.com/forum/index.php/topic,5631.0.html

and also added the photos to the Gallery Album
https://www.theqe2story.com/forum/gallery/displayimage.php?album=101&pid=6459#top_display_media

Any more information and dates such as he date he retired would be appreciated. 
I was proud to be involved with planning QE2's 50 year conference in September 2017 in Clydebank

Offline Richard Smith

Re: Members comments and contributions to QE2 Captains topic
« Reply #89 on: Jan 02, 2018, 11:57 AM »
My father was 8 years younger than Commodore Marr and much further down the list of Captains. He took over command of QE from Commodore Marr in 1966 when the Commodore broke his leg during a rather unsatisfactory Med Cruise. He took the ship back to NY to finish that cruise. Father expected a more senior Captain to be flown out to bring the ship back to Southampton, but father was entrusted with the task.
My father Captain George E Smith was the second ever Master of QE2 and the first Staff Captain. He was also Captain of Queen Elizabeth, Carmania and Franconia.