Farewell to the QE2

**cessna152towser** · 9th October 08, 04:51 AM

The last ship I watched being launched was the Queen Elizabeth II.
Hard to believe that was more than forty years ago, September 1967, and already she is about to be retired from cruising, and destined to depart on a one way voyage to Dubai where she will become a static floating hotel in just six weeks time.

For those of us in Scotland the last opportunity to see her has been her round Britain voyage which concludes back at Southampton early tomorrow morning. In Scotland she visited Greenock in the Firth of Clyde (for Glasgow) and South Queensferry in the Firth of Forth (for Edinburgh).
However as I now live very near the English border it was easier to take Ann to see her at the English Port of Tyne which serves the city of Newcastle.

Your roving photographer in Cunningham kilt, aboard the Spirit of the Tyne passing alongside the QE2.

The vehicle carrier Thames Highway passes QE2 at the start of a three day voyage to St. Petersburg. Thames Highway was built in Poland in 2005 and has a capacity to carry 2,000 cars.

A view from astern.

Concluding this series of photos with the sun setting over the QE2.

**Spc. Scott** · 9th October 08, 05:37 AM

Great pictures. Thank you for sharing.

Your pics made me do a bit of looking around and that is a pretty massive ship.

**Macman** · 9th October 08, 09:46 AM

She's beautiful, Alex. Thanks for the fab pictures.

**Splash_4** · 9th October 08, 09:55 AM

Thank you Alex! It is a shame that the 'grand lady' will be retiring.

**CelticRanger66** · 9th October 08, 11:05 AM

Great Pictures! Thanks for sharing such an historic occasion!

**McClef** · 9th October 08, 11:36 AM

Great pictures Alex!

I wonder how many kilted stories she would tell if she could!

ith:

**Panache** · 9th October 08, 12:12 PM

There are worse fates for such a fine vessel than to start a new life as a grand hotel. I wonder if her builders knew she would still have life in her 40 years after she left port.

Nice pictures Alex.

Cheers

Jamie

**English Bloke** · 9th October 08, 12:15 PM

What a wonderful ship. Looks like you had a good day. Thanks for posting the pictures.

**Alexaye** · 9th October 08, 01:53 PM

Hi Alex that brings back memories. I saw her sail into Southampton water on her first and maiden voyage what a grand sight it was too. She had all the fire tugs around her spraying jets into the air and thousands lined the shores. Makes Me feel so old.
Alex