QE2 Slides preserved and researched by Brian Price, Cruise Director.

[Clydebuilt1971]

Love these!

Again wondering where all these panels and control systems were made back in the day.

Gav

[Stuart Bradley]

I thought that the steam inlet valves were the big chrome wheels under the hand rail?

[Rod]

I thought that the steam inlet valves were the big chrome wheels under the hand rail?

For use in emergencies.

[Lynda Bradford]

Thanks to Brian Price for sending the latest QE2 pictures from his slide collection:

Starting an amazing photo of the Safety Control Room – taken from a balcony around the control room. Looking forward to hearing from crew who would know a bit more about this room.



Brian has given the following commentary:

"Located on 2 Deck just forward of the Purser’s Office and within the area of passenger spaces is the Safety Control Room which was manned 24 hours a day.

It is here that we find a control centre for several major functions regarding safety and stability of the ship. The officer on duty could monitor the status of all water-tight and fire-doors from the panels in front of him. The panel to the right shows all the decks of QE2 split into red and yellow sections indicating fireproof sections. Lights ON = door closed. All doors can be operated from the bridge and the Safety Control Room, and in the manoeuvring status of the ship or else in fog, water-tight doors would be closed as normal practice.
The other panels indicate tank systems where liquids, water, fuel or sea water are stored and can be moved from one tank to another in order to adjust and control the trim of the ship. This important function would be on demand from the bridge. Failure to have the ship in the correct trim could result in hull damage, perhaps a contributory factor at the Martha’s Vineyard partial grounding.

Although QE2 had desalination, she would also take on fresh water in some ports as it was cheaper to buy water than to desalinate. Perhaps Beardy Rich could add  a bit more clarification to this slide."

[Thomas Hypher]

From what I've heard out of Dubai, although I am unable to confirm for sure, the safety control room is still used as such these days albeit not for all the same functions and likely working with new systems installed in the conversion/rebuild. If this is 100% the case, it could still be manned as we speak...

Regardless though, great information and photo once again!

[June Ingram]

Many thanks to Brian and to Lynda ! That is a great photo ! Thanks, Thomas, for the info. That is great if the Safety Control Room is still being used ! 

[Lynda Bradford]

Another photo and information from Brian Price

The Navigation Bridge


"On the left, the console contains controls for bow-thrusters, a small helm joystick, 2 x radar, bridge to TCR/engine room controls (far end on the starboard side).

In the centre of the picture is the main helm control, above the helm is a compass repeater. Also in the centre is the chart table and satnav console. On the right: exterior lighting, watertight door controls, and in the top right corner two switches to crash stop all air conditioning forward or aft in the event of fire."

Thanks again to Brian Price for making his collection of slides available to the QE2 Story

[Thomas Hypher]

Above the helm is the periscope for viewing the magnetic compass binnacle on the bridge roof, as isolated from interference as possible whilst still being useful.

[Thomas Hypher]

Great photo of the bridge as it was originally. The group of panels at the rear of the bridge stayed mostly the same all her service life and are also still in place today, including the Denny Brown stabiliser control panel.

[June Ingram]

Many thanks to Brian, Lynda, and Thomas ! 

[Clydebuilt1971]

"including the Denny Brown stabiliser control panel."

Tthe ship I am involved in restoring (The Second Snark) was used as a development test bed for this system during the nid 60s. She had stabiliser fins at one point but sadly no (known) pics exist of this - only the plated over slots hint at this use.

Great pics again from Brian once again - I have two presentations lined up with this collection (and hopefully some of the forum slide collection too) in 2021!

Gav

[Rod]

I thought modern day pics showed a different steering wheel than the original!

[Thomas Hypher]

I thought modern day pics showed a different steering wheel than the original!

Yes, the mini, spoked, "ships wheel" was replaced in the early 2000s (as far as I can deduce) with the current, plastic "toy car" steering wheel which has the rudder degrees marked on the unit where the wheel connects to the helm. Interestingly the mock up of the bridge in the lobby/old cruise terminal in Dubai uses a wheel very similar to the original - I'm not sure if it is actually the original steering wheel? Please see my attached video for reference.

[Thomas Hypher]

Tthe ship I am involved in restoring (The Second Snark) was used as a development test bed for this system during the nid 60s. She had stabiliser fins at one point but sadly no (known) pics exist of this - only the plated over slots hint at this use.

Gav

It would be interesting albeit overkill if she were refitted with the stabilisers!

[Clydebuilt1971]

It would be interesting albeit overkill if she were refitted with the stabilisers!

Agreed however there would be no room left in her lower forward saloon!!