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The
Queen Elizabeth II, final visit to Liverpool
IT was an
historic moment, tinged with sadness, as the QE2 sailed into the
Mersey on 3 October 2008, for the final time, accompanied by three
Mersey ferries and several Mersey tugs, including a vintage tug
which had escorted her in yesteryears She made rapid headway to the
new cruise liner terminal; at the opening of which she ‘officiated’
on her previous visit.
Once again crowds flocked to see this very special ship which has
captured many hearts. ‘Born’ in John Brown’s Shipyards on the Clyde,
in the mid 60s, the last of the true liners, she symbolises all that
was great of that now vanished era. She serves as a reminder of the
thriving bustling river, which disappeared with the decline of sea
traffic to the rest of world in the 1960s. Ironically freight now
handled in this port is actually greater but the majesty of those
passenger liners is missing and the folk who turned out to see QE2
were taking the opportunity to witness the grand old lady who
represents that past.
The lucky souls on board were whisked into the city by a fleet of
busses and to attend a special concert at Liverpool’s Anglican
Cathedral. Speeches were given by the Dean, the Very Rev. Justin Welby, by The Lord Mayor of Liverpool and Dame Beryl Bainbridge,
also by retired QE2 Captain Robin Woodall RDRMR and present Master
of QE2, Capt. Ian McNaught. Simon Weston OBE was a very real
reminder of the part QE2, and indeed other Merchant ships, play as a
vital Royal Naval Reserve. QE2 played an essential role as a troop
ship during the Falklands Conflict. At this concert QE2’s paying off
pennant was given to the City. This pennant is flown immediately
prior to the ship’s leaving service and is 1 foot for every year of
service long, QE2’s is the longest in Cunard history! This pennant
was handed to the Rt Hon John Prescott, who was himself once a
Cunard steward. He passed it to the Lord Mayor for the City. Apart
from passengers and crew, many others attending had connections with
QE2 in various guises over the years. All will no doubt be sorry to
see her go. Whilst her passengers were thus engaged, QE2 was
inspected from all angles, from in shore and riverwise.
At 10pm she sounded her deep and sonorous boom to acknowledge the
commencement of a short but fast and furious, well planned firework
display on the river. Once this ended she communicated with her tugs
in old- fashioned style by hoots and toots, like a mother hen with
her chicks. Inexorably, she slowly glided away from the quay, then
gathering pace, she was off down the Mersey and out of Liverpool’s
life for ever but probably not out of minds. She will be remembered
as a unique survivor of the time of great transatlantic liners. Her
leaving was witnessed by many people who lined the quayside and both
banks of the Mersey, wherever they could gain a vantage point. Soon
she will be off to become a floating hotel in Dubai’s ‘palm tree’
harbour and we wish her well in this new phase of her life. We hope
they treat her well with the same degree of affection that she has
inspired in us. The River Mersey will not be empty, however, as the
new generation of cruise ships are already making their presence
felt and hopefully the new terminal will be busier than ever. All
coming to enjoy the rich treasures and sights that Liverpool and
this region has to offer.
Click on above to see
our photographic coverage of Her final visit to Liverpool....
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