A first-time visit for a Queen of the oceans
THE QE2 STOPPED OFF FOR AN OVERNIGHT STAY 10 YEARS AGO
IS it really 10 years since 50,000 people flocked to the mouth and banks of the River Tyne to welcome this spectacular visitor to our region?
Our reporter was onboard the world-famous Cunard liner, the QE2, as she stopped off on Tyneside for an overnight stay during her round-Britain 40th anniversary cruise.
September 17, 2007, marked the vessel’s first – and last – visit here.
We reported: “The QE2’s entry into the Tyne last night exceeded all expectations.
“This most graceful of liners, undoubtedly the most famous ship afloat, met this most mighty of rivers for the first time and it was a thrilling sight.
“It was more than an hour later than scheduled – after Sunderlandborn captain Ian McNaught twice had to turn back due to 30 knot winds – that the QE2 finally entered the piers at 7pm.
“And despite far from perfect conditions, thousands of wellwishers braved the elements to greet the beautiful liner.
“They stood dozens-deep along both piers, along South Shields Lawe Top and North Shields Fish Quay.
“A flotilla of small craft accompanied her upstream while crowds lined balconies of riverside apartments and appeared to fill every vantage point possible on both sides of the Tyne.
“At North Shields, one woman used a loud hailer to shout to passengers to give her a wave and they responded willingly.
“Union flags were waved both from onboard the ship and onshore, while the red carpet unveiled at South Shields received enthusiastic applause.
“White, green and pink fireworks exploded across the sky as the QE2 proceeded majestically towards the Royal Quays, and a
marvel at the spectacle of a wonderful Tyneside reception.
Built on the Clyde in Scotland, at the John Brown shipyard, she was known simply as “Job number 736” until named by the Queen on September 20, 1967.
The QE2’s maiden voyage was to Las Palmas in April 1969, and her first captain was Bill Warwick.
At the time of her arrival on Tyneside a decade ago, she had sailed 5.6 million nautical miles, further than any other ship, including 25 circumnavigations of the globe, 801 transatlantic crossings, 705 calls at New York and 697 at her home port of Southampton.
The vessel was 953 ft long, 105 ft wide and could accommodate up to 1,800 passengers and more than 1,000 crew.
As well as a pub, nightclub and several bars, the ship also had a 481-seat cinema, a casino and a branch of Harrod’s.
She had hosted every senior member of the Royal Family at least once, but contrary to popular belief, the vessel was not named after Queen Elizabeth II, but was the second ship to be named Queen Elizabeth, hence the use of the figure 2 rather than the Roman II.
Just over a year after her visit to Tyneside, Cunard retired the QE2 from active service.
Today the once-famous vessel sits laid up at Port Rashid in Dubai, after plans to turn it into a floating hotel were put on hold after the 2008 financial crash.
As well as a pub nightclub and bars, the ship also had a 481-seat cinema and a branch of Harrod’s