A BOAT SINKS DURING THE LAST VISIT OF THE QE2 TO CVLYDE

Inverclyde Now reports:

"SEVEN people were rescued when a boat full of QE2 sight-seers sank off the Esplanade, Greenock, this afternoon. Nearby craft went to the aid of the 20-foot vessel during the incident around 4.10pm, not far from the stern of navy ship HMS Bulwark which was anchored there. Four people were taken from the water by the launch Diligence and the other three were rescued by a passing rigid-inflatable boat. They were taken to Princes Pier, Campbell Street, to waiting ambulances although did not need medical attention. The Strathclyde Police boat took them back to Rosneath where they had come from."

QE2 APOTHEOSIS IN HER LAST VISIT TO CLYDE

Clyde had today a historical day.

Escorted by Royal Navy frigate HMS Mancheste, the Grand Dame Of the Seas came to Clyde to give the last goodbye to the town and harbor that built and launched the QE2 41 years ago.

It was the navy’s final tribute to an old friend from the Falkands War.

Her birth place!

Inverclyde’s Provost, Michael McCormick said:

"The QE2 stands for all that was and remains good about Inverclyde. She is what we now call a 'design classic' and has gained iconic status. The quality of her finish is tribute to the skills of all those people who worked on her. She is Clydebuilt which means she's built to last. We are sorry to see her go and we'll never see her likes again but Inverclyde is a major cruise stop and we look forward to welcoming other vessels from around the world."

See these fantastic and emotional pictures from Inverclyde Now and from the readers.

Oh God, what a sunny and brilliant day!

THE LAST QE2 PORTS OF CALL: TODAY IN GREENOCK, UNITED KINGDOM

The QE2 arrived today to Greenock in her last visit to this gorgeous UK harbor.

You can see here more great pictures of John Carroll.

THE BEST PICTURES OF THE QE2: IN LIVERPOOL

A great, great shot from Talk Photography taken by Tsukiyomi with the QE2 docked in Liverpool on October 4, 2008.

Click on the picture to see it bigger.

TWO SUPERB QE2 REPLICAS

The first one is sold by Handcrafted Model Ships.

Built with high quality woods - no plastic pieces.

Dimensions: 40" x 6" x 14" (L x W x H) (1:290 scale).

Painted the actual colors of the Queen Elizabeth 2

Comes fully assembled

Price: $459.95 (delivered)

Includes a free marble base valued $75.95(15-1/2" x 6" x 3/4")

The second one of these superb QE2 models is sold by Maritime Replicas.

To a sale of 1:500 they introduce this new QE2 as a result of many requests for a model that will fit within a bookshelf in the many apartments and homes around the world where the space is limited.

Length: 2 FT

Price: $1,990.00

Shipping & Insurance additional to destination.

THE QE2 FROM THE LIVERPOOL CATHEDRAL

Becks has in her blog this beautiful picture of the QE2 from the top od the Liverpool Cathedral where yesterday she was honored with a magnificent farewell concert.

YESTERDAY IN LIVERPOOL: AN EMOTIONAL GOODBYE CONCERT TO THE QE2

Catherine Jones and Neil Hodgson report today in the Liverpool Echo about how Liverpool said goodbye to the QE2.

A few emotional paragraphs:

FLAG-WAVING passengers gave the QE2 a rousing send-off in a special farewell concert at Liverpool cathedral.

More than 200 lucky Liverpool ticket holders joined about 1,600 passengers and crew members for the Time To Say Goodbye event yesterday afternoon.

One audience member described the concert as feeling like “a funeral and a wedding all at the same time”.

Faure’s Requiem was played as members of the ship’s company carried the liner’s record-breaking 39ft “paying off” pennant down the cathedral’s central aisle.

The folded pennant was presented to former Cunarder and deputy prime minister John Prescott, who formally handed it to Lord Mayor Steve Rotheram, accepting it on behalf of the people of Liverpool...

“The service was just so emotional, they could not have done it better. The QE2 came out when I was first an MP and people were in love with her, that is why she is special. Her design was so wonderful.”

Speakers included former QE2 captain Robin Woodall, who lives in Wirral, Liverpool-born author Dame Beryl Bainbridge, and Falklands conflict veteran Simon Weston...

Cllr Rotheram said: “Even though Cunard left Liverpool 40 years ago, it has never really gone away. It is represented still by that solemn central edifice of our world-famous Three Graces.

“The QE2 was conceived and designed here in Liverpool. Her time as an ocean-going liner is almost gone, but in our hearts she will always live on.”

Dame Beryl said: “We are here today to celebrate a ship so wonderful, so powerful, she will sail through our minds forever.”

Opera singer Natasha Marsh, the RLPO and Philharmonic and cathedral choirs, and the Welsh Guards also took part in the concert.

The Welsh Guards were transported to the South Atlantic when the QE2 was turned into a troop ship during the Falklands conflict, recalled by Mr Weston, who spoke of carrying out shooting practice on deck, then returning to luxurious cabins.

The Band of the Welsh Guards, in full dress uniform, were applauded as they marched through the cathedral’s great west doors playing Sailing.

Everyone in the cathedral was handed a Union Jack to wave during the grand finale of Jerusalem, Rule Britannia and Pomp and Circumstance.

A lone horn played the Last Post as the orchestra struck up Auld Lang Syne.

You can buy photos from Liverpool's farewell to the QE2 here.

On YouTube there is also this video of her arrival into Crosby.

THE LAST QE2 PORTS OF CALL: TODAY IN BELFAST, NORTH IRELAND

The QE2 arrived today to Belfast's harbor in her last visit to North Ireland.

This fascinating picture was published in March 6, 1946 by The Belfast Telegraph.

This last farewell story is a fantastic piece of journalism reporting about the departure of the first "war-brides" ship from Belfast

When the 12,000-ton transport Henry Gibbins sailed from the Herdman Channel, Belfast, this morning for New York with 314 wives and 140 children of United States Servicemen, a group of men from the dock sheds and works gathered on the quay and sang “Land of Hope and Glory” and “Come Back to Erin”.

The G.I. brides, who had crowded along the deck-rail responded amid smiles and tears with “When Irish eyes are smiling” and “Auld Lang Syne”.

A small group of relatives gathered shortly after eight o’clock, but by ten o’clock when the transport sailed, the crowd had grown to over 200 made up mostly of dock workers and carters.

Fifteen minutes later the transport had moved down the Herdman Channel, and the dock-side was deserted except for seagulls picking up morsels of food thrown by the brides and left behind by a salvage van. The Henry Gibbins had sailed to form another link in Ulster-American friendship.

Wearing warm clothing and many of them with coloured hankerchiefs as head-gear, the brides took up position along the deck rail from an early hour. Here and there a baby was given a peep at the assembled crowds.

Even the biting wind and a sleet shower could not drive them to the warmth and comfort “below deck.”

As brides picked out relatives along the dockside there were shouts of greeting.

“Don’t worry, Mary, I’ve posted on your shamrock,” shouted a mother from the shelter of the shed.

“Keep up your heart, perhaps we’ll join you one day,” called out another relative.

THE LAST FAREWELL

There was the usual interchange of banter, but when the gangway was hauled away, Captain George Nelson appeared on the bridge, a tug drew out in front to take the transport in tow, and the ship’s siren gave a shrill blast, it was time to say the last farewell.

Handkerchiefs were shipped from handbags along the length of the deck rail, kiddies were hoisted a little higher, and brides stood on tip-tow and waved briskly. Smiles and tears intermingled as the great grey stern of the transport grew smaller.

A small crowd of spectators who attempted to move down the dock-side as the transport sailed were halted by harbour police.

They remained for a few minutes as the Henry Gibbins sent up a cloud of smoke and gathered speed down the channel.

Crews of boats lying adjacent waved to the brides.

Members of the crew of the Henry Gibbins, American Red Cross nurses, W.A.A.C.s and stewardesses were also on deck to witness the scenes of farewell.

LONG JOURNEY AHEAD

For many on the brides there is a long train journey after they arrived at New York.

Some have to travel the 3,000 miles across the rolling wheat fields and through the Rockies, now snow-covered, to California.

It will be some time before they settle down to the American way of life, but as Lieut. J. Mays told a “Belfast Telegraph” reporter today, they start off with the advantage of having much in common with the American hearts,” he said.

The final stages of embarkation went through without a hitch.

United States Army officials present were - Major Dana Robertson, Captain R. A. Banks, Captain E. T. Perkins (baggage operation); Captain T. F. Stein (cargo operations), Captain Myron Rosenthal (administration and operations officer), and Lieut. J. Mays, P.R.O.

On board is Mrs. Catherine Graham, who has already made the long journey from Waterford.

She is bound for the agricultural State of Iowa.

The brides will be at sea eight days and everything possible will be done to relieve the tedium of the trip.

In addition to the library a cinema and recreation rooms the brides will be permitted to run their own concerts and musical talent competitions.

Taking everything into account their voyage should be a happy one.

EVERYTHING WENT SMOOTHLY

A Cleveland (Ohio) man, Captain Richard Banks, U.S. Army Transportation Corps, who came over from London to assist in the embark action of the first Ulster contingent of G.I. Brides, told our representative that everything had moved smoothly, and that arrangements are complete for reception at New York.

The shipping agents are Henry Gowan and Co., Belfast.

THE QE2 QUEENS GRILL

Magnificent setting of a table for two at the Queens Grill Restaurant during a Westbound Transatlantic Crossing on December 2004.

(Picture by Gary Bembridge)

THE LAST QE2 PORTS OF CALL: TODAY IN LIVERPOOL, UNITED KINGDOM

Today is the last visit of the Gran Dame of the Seas to the historic Liverpool.

In the picture, another Cunard legendary crossliner, the Mauretania at Landing Stage in Liverpool harbor.

THE BEST PICTURES OF THE QE2: FREMANTLE, AUSTRALIA

The QE2 departs on March 5th 2008 from Fremantle (commonly known as Freo) a port city in Western Australia, located 19 kilometres southwest of Perth, the state capital, at the mouth of the Swan River on Australia's western coast.

(A great Flickr picture by Mred32)

THE LAST QE2 PORTS OF CALL: TODAY IN DUBLIN, IRELAND

The QE2 arrived today in her last visit to the harbor of Dublin.

In the picture, the Dublin harbor lighthouse that was welcoming the QE2 today and will witness her last departure tomorrow.

LOOK AT YOUR QE2 STATEROOM

If you want to see how your QE2 stateroom looks, this is your website.

A great sample of the different cabins.

THE LAST QE2 PORTS OF CALL: TODAY IN CORK, IRELAND

After a short crossing from Southampton, UK, the QE2 arrived today to the old Irish harbor of Cork.

A NEW QE2 STAMP FROM THE ISLE OF MAN

The Isle of Man Post Office Philatelic Bureau reports:

Douglas residents and visitors to the town who are early risers could be in for a surprise this coming Friday the 3rd October.

The ‘royal’ visitor who could appear fleetingly in Douglas Bay anytime from an anticipated 6.45am until 7.30am will be the world’s most famous ocean liner - the renowned Queen Elizabeth 2.

Not only will it be a memorable sight for beholders from the shore, it will be history in the making as the biggest passenger vessel to visit the Isle of Man ever...

You might have wondered how the call to Douglas came about.

The man to comment on that is none other than Geoff Corkish MHK, a member of the Dept of Tourism and a man with a well known nautical background in a former life:

“When we heard that the QE2 would be sailing round Britain on this farewell voyage we contacted Cunard with the request that she call into Douglas Bay whilst sailing between Cork and her next port of call which is Liverpool.

Such is the esteem in which the vessel is held, not only by the many Manx residents who are past passengers, but also by the public at large, that we felt the opportunity, if available, to bid her a fond farewell should be pursued. In conjunction with the Isle of Man Post Office we have done just that.”

Maxine Cannon, Philatelic Sales & Marketing Manager from the Isle of Man Post Office:

“We felt that we wanted to honour this iconic vessel in a suitable manner and as a result we will be issuing a limited number (2000) of special first day covers commemorating the call to Douglas. It will mean that a memento of this significant moment in our maritime history can be retained in this special manner.”

The best vantage points to view history in the making ?… either Douglas Promenade, Onchan or Douglas Head…unless you are a passenger on the Liverpool bound Seacat on Friday morning… in which case you could be traveling in convoy with the QE2, for at least some of the journey