SCRAPPING QE2.

[Stuart Henderson]

I was with Cunard from 1957 to 1972 mostly on the smaller ships. My favourite was the Queen Mary. When QE2 came into service 1967 in her early days I sailed from Southampton to Le France on her as passenger because of a ferry strike when joining a Cunard cargo ship in Le Havre/ Gave me good chance to check her out and my initial feelings was that compared to QM she just didnt measure up in fittings and furnishinhgs, too modern almost tinny......... Just my own opinion. Visited QM a couple of times in Long Beach and came away saddened.
Stuart

[Glenn Baker]

I dont know about you chaps but Ive got to the stage of not knowing who to believe at all, on anything from Gvt issues to other things such as the Good old QE2, Ithink its an absolute sin to even hold the Ship in such a questionable situation.
It was all about money when they with drew her from service , I vaigly remember that when thses ships wer built such as her The gvt Subsidy on condition of being available for War service, well now , Im amazed that the Govt of the day cant find a way to bring her back to British Waters and be proud of having a British Built and fine liner, on Display to the general Public, Isnt there any pride left.
Trafalger or the past Owners who made Millions out of this Wonderful ship should have done a lot more in researching the new Owners of such a mighty liner. Im pretty sure there would be hundres of older retired seafarers that would take pride in being Volunteers on such a ship and to see her Dining rooms full of paying customers.

England doesnt seem to worry about important history. Lets see if we can stir up the press and the Former owners and Southampton Docks Administration, Im sure the Public would get behind a scheme too. Glenn Baker

[Captain Kong]

On the last World Cruise, 2008, after leaving Japan we crossed the North Pacific doing 38 knots Not a bad speed for a ship going to be disposed of.
Brian

[Chris Allman]

England doesnt seem to worry about important history. Lets see if we can stir up the press and the Former owners and Southampton Docks Administration, Im sure the Public would get behind a scheme too. Glenn Baker



Glenn, as much as I would love to see it happen, I know in my heart of hearts it wont. They cant or wont even preserve a ferry boat these days, so what chance does a beautiful ocean liner stand in todays financial climate, absolutely none. This country has no comprehension of historical preservation whatsoever, never mind historical maritime preservation. To be honest I am astounded that HMS Victory and HMS Warrior have managed some how to survive. QE2 will cost millions to save and even more millions to preserve. When people are suffering from cuts and more cuts and using food banks under this present Government, there will be no sympathy whatsoever for her, which under the circumstances is very understandable.

I am afraid, and I say it with a heavy heart, the best really is for her to go to the torch and not linger, becoming a rotting and rusty ghost of herself, go with dignity, thats the best way.

However the word is that she is not going just yet and may still have a useful life ahead of her as a hotel ship in Asia, lets hope that at least she can perhaps still grace some shores with her presence.

[robpage]

The body responsible for allowing Ships to sail refused to extend her time any further because of continual cracking of her Aluminum Superstructure, thats why Cunard retired her, same problem with SS United States.

Aluminium and copper are subjected to strain hardening , or as it was known in times when we had an Empire , Work Hardening . The plastic deformation of the material becomes less and less as the material hardens and the resistance to deformation will cause a stress fracture . Common in Aluminium Aircraft , that is why Aluminium bodied aircraft are given a service life after which they are scrapped . When those stress fractures occur often a catastrophic failure will follow . If you want more detail there is a lot out there on the metallurgy but it is very boring . In the original Comet Aircraft this stress failure was accelerated by the design of the large square windows .

Basically the Old Lady has had her last days at sea , and whilst a static hotel will not take the strains of an Ocean Going Passenger liner it is the only future for her , but ! whoever takes her on is buying into a huge Money Pit where they will throw a lot of cash for not such a high return .

There are people here who know a ;lot more about the Hotel trade than i do , but for a 1000 room hotel to pay the upkeep costs of the ship I think it is going to be tough .

I saw the comment on two local attractions the HMS Victory and HMS Warrior , Victory is a serving Naval Vessel . Warrior is run by a charitable trust , and is always looking at fund raising opportunities .

It would be really nice to save the QE2 and have her alongside the Mayflower Park in Southampton or the docks in Liverpool , but you will need a lot of money and under the current climate it is never going to happen

[Captain Kong]

I had just written large page on this QE2 and it vanished.
. I will start again........................
I was talking to the CEO of Cunard at a cocktail party, regarding the sale of QE2.
She said the Arab had made an offer of 50 million pounds, as is with nothing at all taken off.
I told her my views and she was not interested.
She should have been sold to Liverpool, a lot of the Liverpool Pop Stars and Footballers could have found that kind of money , no bother.
It should be moored in a tideless lagoon, like the Queen Mary in Long Beach. at the Pier Head in Liverpool opposite the Cunard Building where she was concieved and designed by the Naval Architecs on the top floor. What a magnificent place to be, no docks, just on full public view for all to see.
She would be connected to mains supply for Power. water and sewage.
All the lower decks could have all been stripped out, the bulkheads just unbolt, easy, to help with running costs , Student accommodation, Class Rooms for the Liverpool University. a big shortage of that.
The decks above turned into Offices, What a prestigious address for a company, Joe Bloggs and Co. Queen Elizabeth 2, Pier Head Liverpool, L1.
The decks above, turned in Conference Centres and Corporate Function Rooms. A Gymnasium and Swim Pool
Above would be Restaurants, Cocktail Bars, and Night Club and a Wedding Chapel, always big business.
Above that in the first class suites would be Hotel accommodation for Tourists and people who could not afford a cruise on her to spend a weekend there.
Also a magnificent Maritime Museum and shopping Malls.
The crowds would be flocking to her.
At least two thousand jobs would be created, both in Housekeeping, Corporate Functions and Catering and many other anxcillary jobs. Engineers and jobs on deck for maintence
And a big boost to Liverpools Tourist Trade.
I am sure that would work and be a success, Just get the Celebs to part with their money.
Cheers
Brian.

[Keith at Tregenna]

I had just written large page on this QE2 and it vanished.

Cheers
Brian.

LINK: http://www.merchant-navy.net/forum/g...d-ships-4.html

k.

[robpage]

I had just written large page on this QE2 and it vanished.
. I will start again........................

Two thousand jobs will cost £50,000,000 a year , upkeep and power , heating , lighting , dry-docking will add another £5.000,000 a year Port Fees , access routes , advertising , at least another £5,000,000 so you would need £5,000,000 a month profit that equates to at least £1,000,000 a day in Income , the Visitor numbers would make London the only viable place to keep it , the Hotel would need 700 people a day every day paying £1000 a night , to even start to look viable . Sorry Brian I would love to see it happen , but realistically it never will . It would carry the memories of the old Cunarder's , the UCL guys , the P&O liner men , and a lot more besides , realistically , and sorry to keep being the pessimist , the youngest amongst us / them must be in their 50';s most in their 60's and older , You will never get the business plan off the ground

[John Adamson]

I had just written large page on this QE2 and it vanished.
. I will start again........................

Slight correction Brian, the QM is subject to the tides in Long Beach, but after all your tots on board you probably did'nt notice the change in the gangway

[Captain Kong]

Hi John
That is probably true, I had a lot more after you left and more friends turned up. SHE was not amused.
See you in March.
Cheers
Brian.
.
.
Hi Rob.
No charge for Dreams, all dreams are free.
Thanks for the Information.
Cheers
Brian.