The above image was obtained from freephoto.com click here for more
Whilst sitting in my hotel room in Barcelona tonight I was catching up on world news curtsy of the BBC World News channel. I found myself reflecting on the day when the QE2 was launched amidst a blaze of publicity. I recall watching it being reported on TV ( in black and white ) and collecting copies of the newspaper articles about the new super liner and keeping these as mementoes for some time.
Some very nostalgic memories as I recall discussing all of this and marvelling over the birth of a new liner, something which seemed to be nothing short of a miracle to a me as a typical 12 year old boy from the fishing community of Fraserburgh where the local fishing fleet consisted at the time of boats (hardly ships) which were made of wood. I remember puzzling over how a vessel made from steel ( a material which does not float ) would stay on the surface. I also recall being mesmerised by the beauty of her design – she looked so futuristic with her slender lines and beautiful stem ( or bow ).
However, today she completes her period of 40 years service as an ocean going liner and now, as I write this, she is embarking on her last voyage to Dubai where she will become a floating hotel. So I guess there is still life in the old girl yet!
But it seems to me that to stay on the hotel QE2 will be a bit like going for a swim in a dusty field! Lets face it, she was never designed to be a hotel which never leaves port. She was designed to give her passengers the opportunity to sail the oceans and enjoy visits to her ports of call. All this whilst enjoying her accommodation and general living facilities which I am sure were of the highest standard.
Of course having said this should I ever have the opportunity to stay aboard her I will probably not say no!!!
Is this the end of an era – is this the last real sea going liner? That seemed to be the opinion of a former captian who was interviewed as she sailed out of Southampton for the last time. This was for me a rather sad and nostalgic moment. If interested, you can read more about this great lady of the sea by clicking on the following links!
Here is a site published by Glasgow University which has some photo and commentary of the construction of the QE2 click here
The QE2 Home Page click here
Fifty Facts about the QE2 click here
Wikipedia and QE2 click here
QE2 leaving Cork for the last time click here
QE2 bids farewell to America click here
QE2 an American view click here
BBC report about her last days in Southampton click here
What else happened on this day click here