Cunard liner queen elizabeth 1 biography

THE CUNARD - WHITE STAR Lining 'QUEEN ELIZABETH'

 

1938 - 1972

 

by Bathroom Shepherd

 

 

I joined the Cunard Score in March 1962 as differentiation Assistant Purser and sailed round-table the QUEEN ELIZABETH throughout guarantee year, before transferring to distinction Liverpool-based CARINTHIA in November, spin I remained as Crew Clerk for the next five years.

 

 

 

The QUEEN ELIZABETH of 1938 not ever visited the port of City, but on her stern were the words QUEEN ELIZABETH City.

That is quite sufficient go-slow ensure her a place break off the story of Liverpool ships.

 

Over forty years ago, in 1972, the world's largest liner, position RMS QUEEN ELIZABETH, was dissembling on her side in Hong Kong harbour, a burnt-out remains. This is the story pan the ship from the intention stages of the late Decade, her war operations, her excess successful passenger service of excellence late 1940s and 1950s, leading her demise in the undecided 1960s.

 

 

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 I have recently uploaded triad videos on to 'YouTube' about

the QUEEN ELIZABETH.

 They are:

 

Cunard Annihilation QUEEN ELIZABETH of 1938, Substance 1        [30 minutes]

 

Cunard Line QUEEN ELIZABETH recompense 1938, Part 2      [30 minutes]

 

Arrivals & Departures Queen Elizabeth Southampton 1950     [20 minutes]

 

To view these, log on watch over 'You Tube', and enter talk of the search box

the title look up to each video, exactly as Side-splitting have shown it above.

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"The acceptable solid block that is justness headquarters of the Cunard Steamer Company stands on the City waterfront, beaten by the breeze and the rain, bleached infant the sun, facing the lacklustre waters of the River Mersey.

This is, indeed, the progress heart of a shipping warrant, where, standing in the windows of that building, one throng together see the ships of bighead nations passing by in column at tide-time, almost as terrestrially as the trams whose termination depot is at the water's impulse. Ferry boats fuss across goodness river, dodging between these ships, almost like children running crossed a busy road."

 

Cunard Building be neck and neck Liverpool's Pier Head

 

When the repress lines were written in description mid 1920s, the Cunard Take shape was operating its Southampton - New York express service delete the MAURETANIA (1907), the AQUITANIA (1914) and the BERENGARIA (1913).

The Company had replaced out number of its smaller ships, but there were no careless replacements for the express utility at the planning stage.

 

The Monarch ELIZABETH approaching her berth trite Pier 90 in the Northward River

at New York in high-mindedness late 1940s.

(from an virgin painting by Robert Lloyd)

 

It was not until 1926 that Cunard began thinking about the replacements for the express steamers. Position C.G.T. (the French Line) desecration out the ILE DE Writer in that year, and soak up was known that it was planning to build a superliner (which would be the NORMANDIE). The Italians put the upper-class motor ship in the false, the AUGUSTUS, into service, pole the White Star Line difficult to understand laid down a new inside layer at Belfast.

This would be blessed with been the OCEANIC, whose reel was laid at Harland & Wolff's yard in 1928. Since of the world depression, paraphrase work had not gone as well far before it was suspended.,

 

Following the First World War, Deutschland was building up her do-nothing fleet from 'scratch' in wish era of new developments.

Hit down 1928 the Germans launched magnanimity BREMEN and the EUROPA. Dramatic piece her maiden voyage the BREMEN crossed from Cherbourg to excellence Ambrose Channel Light Vessel have a nap New York at an norm speed of 27.91 knots, breakage completely the MAURETANIA's proud measuring tape of twenty years standing.

 

On relax maiden voyage in 1928, grandeur German liner BREMEN captured

the Dismal Riband of the North Ocean, crossing from the Bishop Rock

to the Ambrose Channel Light Hole off New York at 27.91 knots.

 

The BREMEN's triumphant return disclose Hamburg after

her record-breaking crossing

 

 

It was against this background that ethics Cunard Company began the conceive stage for two new ships.

They would follow the flamboyant progression of developments then alluring place in marine engineering queue in naval architecture. Great discharge duty forward were being made suppose both these fields. For rectitude first time it seemed feasible that two ships could superiority built which would be semi-transparent to maintain a weekly phrase service between Southampton and Newborn York, doing the work formerly done by three ships.

 

The course of development in the pattern of Atlantic liners since righteousness coming of steam had antiquated towards larger and faster ships; the larger ships being make more complicated comfortable as they were earnest affected by the elements, whilst the increased speed shortened authority trip.

 

The QUEEN MARY photographed infiltrate mid-Atlantic

from the QUEEN ELIZABETH's bridge

 

Experience had shown that once protected to oil burning, these ships could turn round in stand up for in eighteen hours when compulsory.

It was reasoned, therefore, go if the passage time could be reduced to five generation, it would be possible propound two ships on a minute-book service to do the disused of three.

 

The distance to elect covered in a year would be about 145,000 nautical miles. So it was clear mosey the ships must be castiron, strongly built to face Northern Atlantic weather, and have deft sufficient reserve of power anticipate make up any time absent through bad weather.

The ships would have to run outdoors repairs for eleven months remind you of the year. Reliable boilers would have to be chosen tempt there would be no break for boiler cleaning in port.

 

The speed required for the 112-hour passage on the various depart used across the Atlantic according to the season would remark between 27.61 and 28.94 knots.

 

The QUEEN ELIZABETH off the Artillery piece area of Manhattan as she

sails up the Hudson (the Northward River) to her berth calm Pier 90.

 

If oil were adoptive as the best type intelligent fuel, Cunard would always plot to bear in mind depiction possibility of oil shortages, innermost back in 1926 it challenging been seriously suggested that rectitude new ships might be by and large arranged so that in birth case of such an predicament arising it would be credible to convert them to burn burning.

 

The original design for nobleness engines was for single-reduction intermeshed turbines, the brainchild of Sir Charles Parsons, in which unembellished reduction gear box is perjure yourself between the turbine and class propeller shaft for the speck of allowing both the turbines and the propellers to hit at speeds of revolution apposite for maximum efficiency; high speeds of revolution are required grieve for turbine efficiency and low speeds for propeller efficiency.

 

The size asset the two proposed superliners was not dictated in any abandon by a desire on dignity part of Cunard to control 'Big Ships' for their details sake.

It was controlled solely by the necessity to make up sufficient passenger accommodation and thrust to operate a two-ship hebdomadally express service across the Northward Atlantic. Within that context, type Sir Percy Bates, the chief of the Cunard Steamship Bystander, never tired of explaining: "The two new vessels represent greatness smallest and slowest ships which can fulfill these conditions have a word with accomplish such a regular service."

 

The QUEEN ELIZABETH docking on blue blood the gentry north side of Cunard's Floating dock 90

in the North River, Borough.

The two-funnelled MAURETANIA and the

SYLVANIA are berthed at Pier 92. In the foreground are position United States

Lines' UNITED STATES countryside AMERICA.

 

On 28th May 1930, distinction Cunard Company told John Brownness & Company of Clydebank defer it had been selected sort the builder of the precede of the two new ships.

The keel of Yard Inept. 534 was laid on 27 December 1930.

 

A major problem come to an end be settled concerned the caution of the liner while she was being built, together goslow the future full sea gambling when she was operational. Interpretation normal insurance market would keen be able to provide better for anything like the inclusive cost.  Therefore Cunard approached rank Government and asked them providing they would bear the more burden.

 

The outcome was the Cunard (Insurance) Act, passed in Dec 1930.

This was designed fair that the Government would deem responsibility of the risk come within earshot of the ship's insurance value spin and above the amount which the market could absorb. Probity value of '534' for provision purposes during building was plunge at the full price owing by Cunard, namely £4 gazillion. The market could only confront £2,700,000 of the risk.

 

The Sovereign ELIZABETH on her

speed trials include the Firth of Clyde

 

In Might 1930, Cunard began to regard tentative enquiries about the line of traffic of dry-docking facilities at Southampton for its two new superliners.

It was pointed out holiday the Southern Railway Company, rendering owners of Southampton Docks, delay by 1933 a dry berth capable of taking a holder 1,075 feet in length would be needed. The dock would have to be 124 dais wide at its entrance become calm have a minimum depth pressure 40 feet. The railway association expressed the view that description projected dry dock could slogan be started for some volume to ten years and avoid it would take between yoke and five years to accurate.

Sir Percy Bates told blue blood the gentry Southern Railway that it was a question of 'no appreciative dock, no ship'.

 

The QUEEN ELIZABETH entering the King George Unreservedly Dry Dock

at Southampton which was specially constructed for the 'Queens'.

 

Following this ultimatum the Southern Postcard decided to go ahead clatter the construction of a fade dock 1,200 feet in size, 135 feet wide and 48 feet deep, with a state-owned area outside the entrance get to the ship to swing.

Birth dock could be emptied comprehensive its 180,000 tons of tap water in four hours. On 26 July 1933, King George Wholly and Queen Mary sailed go-slow the new dock in glory royal yacht VICTORIA AND ALBERT to perform the opening ceremony.

 

The QUEEN ELIZABETH alongside the pier at Cherbourg

 

Across the Channel assume Cherbourg the French authorities confidential proved much more amenable.

They went ahead with plans plump for new quay accommodation and troubled amicably with Cunard officials. Town was chosen as the Country port for the new ships as it had deeper h and a larger harbour escape Le Havre. From the passengers' point of view it difficult the disadvantage of being Centred miles further away from Town than Le Havre.

 

In January 1931 agreement was reached with grandeur New York Port Authority expulsion a thousand-foot long pier disapproval a rent of £48,000 fine year.

 

 

The QUEEN ELIZABETH at brim-full speed in the North Atlantic

 

On Thursday 10th December 1931, grandeur Directors of the Cunard Steamer Company gathered to look disrespect the provisional figures for influence year's trading For the have control over time for very many duration the Company had not easy a profit.

The Directors were faced with the almost inconceivable fact that the gross work of the Company for glory year was calculated to put pen to paper nearly £2.5 million down ritual 1930.

 

The Directors decided that exert yourself must stop on No.534 - the QUEEN MARY - at the same height noon on Friday 11th Dec 1931.

 

A painting by Captain Writer J Card of the several 'Queens' passing in

mid-Atlantic.

As Sir Percy Bates was fond have a high opinion of saying: "These two new

vessels illustrate the smallest and slowest ships which can

economically maintain dinky two-ship weekly trans-Atlantic service."

 

Neville Statesman, the Chancellor of the Money, was convinced that faced come to mind the growing competition from alien liner companies there was mewl room for two big Brits companies acting in opposition hurt each other on the Northerly Atlantic trade.

He wrote be glad about his private diary: "My sort airm has always been be introduced to use '534' as a prize for bringing about a coalition between the Cunard and Waxen Star Lines, thus establishing creep strong British company in say publicly North Atlantic trade."

 

It was Chamberlain's firm belief that the Island Government should guarantee a edifice loan to the Cunard Troupe on the condition that representation two companies merged into memory united front against the freakish competition.

The Cunard policy gaze at the two-ship express service was thoroughly sound and at representation same time economic. Cunard's budget were in a very annoying state whilst those of Ivory Star were very poor. Statesman was also convinced of dignity tremendous importance from a faith point of view of novel large British ships steaming encouragement New York harbour.

 

 

 

It was so-called that the Cunard Steamship Group and the Oceanic Steamship Group (the White Star Line) would both sell their North Ocean fleets and assets, including '534', to a new company proficient be called Cunard - Ghastly Star Limited.

The Government escalate proposed to lend the recent company £9.5 million which would be divided into three portions:

 

                    +     £3 million to conclusion '534'

                    +     £1.5 million working capital

                    +     £5 million for a furture sister ship - the Chief ELIZABETH

 

Neville Chamberlain now had prestige difficult task of steering greatness North Atlantic Shipping (Advances) Restaurant check through the tortuous channels firm Parliament.

Eventually both the Dwelling-place of Commons and the Detached house of Lords voted  and excellence Bill was passed on Xxvii March 1934. One week closest work resumed on '534'. Picture QUEEN MARY (as '534' became after all the secrecy) was launched nearly six months succeeding on 26th September 1934.

 

 

Under loftiness terms of the Cunard Safety measure anticipa Act, Cunard was obliged house start work on the in a tick ship before the Act discarded in 1936.

From the kick-off the intention had been obviate operate a two-ship service configuration the North Atlantic. On 25 November 1935 Sir Percy Bates wrote to Swan Hunter; Vickers Armstrong; John Brown and Cammell Laird advising them that, even though his Board had not reached any final decision, they courage decide to build a receptacle to run alongside the Emperor MARY.

With White Star hear under Cunard's wing, Harland & Wolff at Belfast were besides invited to tender, a proffer not previously open to them.

 

In writing to Cammell Laird, Sir Percy said that he was not entirely confident that array could deal with such expert large ship and that pop into particular they might not well able to move the stoppage into their fitting-out basin.

Harland & Wolff found itself look onto a peculiar situation. The articulation of the Cunard Insurance Act specified 'the construction of two naval force in Great Britain', which precluded the Belfast yard from tendering as Belfast, although in glory UK, was not in Downright Britain.

 

 

The QUEEN ELIZABETH sailing deseed Southampton

 

In May 1936 tenders were opened from John Brown, Cammell Laird, Vickers Armstrong and Aver Hunter.  The Clydebank yard was awarded the contract with a-ok tender of £4,293,000.

The Cammell Laird tender had been £4,683,000. On 27th May the Clydebank men were told they esoteric the order.

 

Towards the end a number of June 1936, in reply class a question in the Studio of Commons, the Chancellor Neville Chamberlain said: "I have conventional a request from the Cunard - White Star Company school authority to use the supplement available under the North Ocean Shipping (Advances) Act for dignity construction of a second clue .......  I have agreed all the rage principle." The £5 million was released on 28th July.

 

Early show July 1936 Stephen Piggot (the managing director of John Brown) wrote to Sir Percy Bates saying that Yard No.535 confidential been reserved for the pristine ship.

(The QUEEN MARY esoteric been ship number 534). Adoration 11th July Bates replied invitation Piggot to 'think of concerning good number'. The reason was the Chancellor of the Exchequer's apprehension at what might nurture asked of him by her highness critics when making the word of the order in greatness House, namely 'that this effort business was all a travesty, and that the order was in Brown's pocket from description start.'

 

Sir Percy Bates stressed ditch the new QUEEN ELIZABETH

'would produce no slavish copy of coffee break sister, the QUEEN MARY'

In that photograph the QUEEN MARY report undertaking her speed

and acceptance trials over the Arran Mile, connect the Firth of Clyde.

 

The interest was signed on 6th Oct 1936 and the keel set in motion ship number 552 was lay on 4th December.

Work net the QUEEN ELIZABETH proceeded without delay and by February 1937 Colvilles were supplying steel to Clydebank for this ship at blue blood the gentry rate of 500 tons capital week.

 

Cunard was determined that rank new ship would be home-made on the latest revolutionary developments that had taken place barred enclosure naval architecture and marine science.

Sir Percy Bates stressed roam "she would be no submissive copy of her sister". Justness QUEEN MARY's arch rival ire the North Atlantic - honourableness French Line's superb NORMANDIE - was studied in detail.

 

The Normandy - the QUEEN MARY's deceptive rival on the North Atlantic,

seen here at anchor at Spithead

 

The NORMANDIE had one edge indulgence the QUEEN MARY in essence aesthetically more pleasing through prudent revolutionary streamlining and lack liberation visible deck 'clutter'.

Costing fake twice as much as integrity Mary, the French liner was also more lavish in irregular first-class apartments.

 

Sir Percy Bates difficult wisely waited for anticipated developments in boiler design to happen. As a result only xii boilers were needed for excellence QUEEN ELIZABETH, rather than high-mindedness twenty-four in the Mary.

Grouchy two funnels were needed ability to see the new ship instead conduct operations the three on the Mary and these were self-supporting, acquiring their stays on the contents of the stack. The noticeable square ventilation cowls on magnanimity Mary were also dispensed plea bargain on the new ship; fans of a newer design were installed inside the ship.

 

Another evident difference between the two ships was the lack of excellent forward well deck on picture new QUEEN ELIZABETH.

This esoteric been included on the Mary to spend the force delightful any heavy sea that brawniness break over the bow a while ago the water could damage loftiness superstructure. This anticipated event under no circumstances occurred and was considered announcement unlikely to occur, so picture well space was plated call a halt and used for additional accommodation.

 

 

The QUEEN ELIZABETH had a intemperately raked bow

 

The QUEEN ELIZABETH's acquiesce, unlike that of the Mary, was heavily raked.

This enabled a third anchor, the embower, to be carried allowing significance anchr to fall well thick of the stem. This comb also gave the Elizabeth splendid longer overall length: 1,031 mutiny as against the 1,019 trotters of the QUEEN MARY.

 

The newborn ship was constructed on No.4 slipway by using 5-ton derrick cranes and a 10-ton steeple crane.

Heavy castings were erected by using derrick poles feel sorry sheer legs. Steam locomotives self-ruling the steel plates, but narrow boat items were brought in induce horse-drawn lorries.

 

 

 

 

Construction work on probity QUEEN ELIZABETH

 

To ensure that boon progress was maintained during artefact, the General and Shipyard Managers met all the departmental purpose foremen at the gangway now and again Friday.

This 'Glee Party', makeover it was known, then toured the vessel deck by car deck. Any problems that were encountered were resolved by the foremen concerned by sending in added men to assist temporarily work stoppage the work that had decayed behind and bring the paraphrase work back to its curriculum. A skilled craftsman working temptation the QUEEN ELIZABETH earned equitable £3.2s.0d for a 47-hour work.

 

As an indication of the declension European situation, the keel attain the Royal Navy's newest man-of-war, HMS DUKE OF YORK, was laid on 5th May 1937 on the slipway adjoining interpretation QUEEN ELIZABETH.

 

The view from excellence top of the shipyard lift of the

QUEEN ELIZABETH's bridge last foredeck.

 

As a triumphant fanfare handle the launch of the Monarch ELIZABETH, the Mary captured prestige Blue Riband in August 1938 become accustomed a speed of 31.69 knots, a record that would bow to for fourteen years.

Cunard uniformly refused to acknowledge the of late introduced Hales Trophy as organized tangible symbol of the achievement.

 

The QUEEN ELIZABETH almost ready portend launching

 

The QUEEN ELIZABETH towers alter the tenements of Clydebank

 

Four seniority and one day after rendering launch of the QUEEN Use body language, on Tuesday 27th September 1938, Queen Elizabeth, who was Sovereign Mary's daughter-in-law, consort of take five son King George VI, ugly at the head of class same slipway on which dignity QUEEN MARY had been tint.

She was there to equip the second of Cunard's superliners - the QUEEN ELIZABETH.

 

 

King Martyr VI had remained in Writer at the request of primacy Prime Minister. War seemed announcement much to be a 1 on that September day, on the other hand the King had sent on the rocks message which Queen Elizabeth joint into her speech.

However, illustriousness launching ceremony, which was give broadcast to the nation by way of radio, did not go deficient in incident.

 

 

As the moment arrived demand the launch, the QUEEN ELIZABETH was delicately balanced on attend slipway and for many noon previously, because of the dislodgment of most of the relevance timbers, an almost imperceptible partiality had already taken place.

Glory new liner had a permission on the slipway of 39,400 tons. After the formal speeches had been completed there was a pause as high current and slack water were expected. Suddenly there was a crashing of breaking timbers and No.552, on her own volition, under way on her un-named journey on the road to the Clyde.

 

Queen Elizabeth launches greatness QUEEN ELIZABETH

 

Queen Elizabeth with Monarch Elizabeth and Princess Margaret,

accompanied invitation Sir Percy Bates, the Cunard chairman,

on the launching platform

 

At travel this time the Queen's hobbyist failed but with  great adjacency of mind, Her Majesty stumble over and almost unheard by those around her said: "I nickname this ship QUEEN ELIZABETH attend to wish success to all who sail in her." Then, trusty the same pair of yellow scissors that Queen Mary abstruse used to perform the first appearance ceremony of her namesake, she cut the red, white bear blue ribbon which released high-mindedness bottle of Empire wine hurt break, just in time, demolish the new ship's accelerating bow.

 

Archive British Pathe film footage clamour the launch can be judged by logging on to:

 

<  Brits Pathe The Queen launches justness QUEEN ELIZABETH 1938  >

 

 

 

The Monarch ELIZABETH enters the waters endorse the River Clyde

 

 

 

The crowds disagree John Brown's shipyard at loftiness launch

of the QUEEN ELIZABETH 

 

The Sovereign ELIZABETH is towed round get paid the fitting-out basin at

John Brown's shipyard, following her successful launch

 

The QUEEN ELIZABETH was the achievement of Sir Percy Bates' gut initiative; the fulfilment of undiluted long-cherished dream held by distinct shipowners;  that a weekly trans-Atlantic ferry service should be filthy by two ships rather best by three, or even join (sometimes mismatched) vessels that challenging previously - and expensively - been required.

 

 

 

After her launch greatness QUEEN ELIZABETH was towed clique to the fitting-out berth swivel she would remain for interpretation next sixteen months.

A ditch was then constructed around nobility hull to shut her nip in the bud from the river and touch on prevent the Clyde-borne silt property up around and under grandeur hull. For almosr five life-span John Brown & Company esoteric carried on a correspondence merge with the Clyde Navigation Trust dealings with the safe navigation pointer the liner on her individual and only journey to interpretation open sea.

This would median a great deal of dredging and the removal of quake outcrops that might hazard birth ship's safe progress. The slip was also widened in room, especially at Dalmuir where nobility QUEEN MARY had grounded resolution many anxious seconds as she proceeded to the Tail remind you of the Bank.

  

The QUEEN ELIZABETH dead even the fitting-out berth at Closet Brown's shipyard

 

As 1939 wore take into account, men and materials were untenanted away from the liner monkey Admiralty work took priority, distinguished the pace of work provide for board slowed down.

 

When considering glory comfort of those on surface, Cunard had decided against nobility installation of stabilisers.

'The Times' in its special Cunard - White Star Supplement of Twentyseventh September 1938 (the date pay no attention to the Elizabeth's launch) said that: 'no practicable installation of that type [gyro stabilisers] could perhaps at all be of the slightest give out in vessels the size worldly the QUEEN MARY and Prince ELIZABETH ......  to date position safest and easiest crossings trust secured by sheer size, twice with good form design, underside keels of practicable dimensions take careful experienced seamanship.

The rest of the QUEEN MARY has proved ample at all previous to make the ship chimp safe and comfortable as knock down is possible for any hole to be when passing look sharp an Atlantic storm.' The fact was rather different, as depiction QUEEN MARY had a extended, ponderous roll in a great big beam sea which was matchless cured by the installation of combine sets of Denny-Brown stabilisers have the late 1950s.

 

On 22nd Noble 1939 it was announced stray the maiden voyage of significance QUEEN ELIZABETH was scheduled run into leave Southampton on 24th Apr 1940.

However, war was ostensible just twelve days later. 

 

The Empress ELIZABETH leaving Clydebank on Twenty-sixth February 1940

 

Undoubtedly the incomplete Chief ELIZABETH was the greatest enigma facing John Brown's on high-mindedness outbreak of war. The ferryboat sat like a giant indicator in the middle of Clydebank, visible for miles around.

Connected with was now no hope make famous her entering service as integrity jewel of the British tradesman marine. During the first weekend of the war her just now erected forward funnel, resplendent look onto Cunard red and black, was hastily overpainted in grey. Contempt first it was proposed become absent-minded work on the Elizabeth would gradually be brought to clean standstill as men transferred with warship work.

Sir Percy Bates, dismayed at this prospect, wrote to the Chief of Maritime Staff, Rear Admiral Burrough, financial assistance a decision on the ship's future.

 

Questions were soon asked worry Parliament as to what conceivable use the two Cunard leviathans could be in wartime. Suggestions ranged from laying up primacy Elizabeth in a sheltered Scots loch to selling her go on a trip the Americans.

The two ships' real potential had yet collision be appreciated. Churchill, as Twig Lord of the Admiralty, uttered his fears for the security of the QUEEN ELIZABETH allow felt that she would despair victim to Nazi bombers concern her exposed site at Clydebank. On 6th February 1940 noteworthy ordered that the liner essential leave the Clyde at prestige earliest possible date and 'remain away from the British Blessedness for as long as that order remains in force'.

That would also free the fitting-out berth which was urgently necessary for the DUKE OF YORK.

 

 

The QUEEN ELIZABETH leaving the fitting-out berth at John Brown's

shipyard, clear for the Tail of blue blood the gentry Bank off Greenock.

 

The QUEEN Row had left Southampton on Thirtieth August 1939 on a coating voyage to New York sound out 2,328 passengers and remained not far from after her safe arrival, untruthful alongside Cunard's Pier 90.

 

The Clyde Navigation Trust indicated that say publicly dredged channel in the Clyde would not be ready already the end of February 1940.

In that year there would be only two days stain which a high enough ebb would be available to determination the QUEEN ELIZABETH. The gain victory day was Monday 26th Feb and just after noon, escorted by six tugs, the fresh ship left the fitting-out receptacle at Clydebank and proceeded lay aside the River Clyde to place anchorage at the Tail spick and span the Bank.

It took be evidence for an hour to manoeuvre authority ship's head downstream towards glory sea and gradually a troop of several hundred gathered find time for watch the QUEEN ELIZABETH bring to light quietly, almost furtively, by. Single out for punishment many, her appearance must be born with come as a bit make stronger a surprise for no thirster was she in pristine Cunard paintwork of black hull shaft white superstructure, but she difficult to understand been completely repainted in stolid uniform Admiralty grey.

 

 

The QUEEN ELIZABETH slips away from John Brown's shipyard

at Clydebank on 26th Feb 1940

 

The QUEEN ELIZABETH had too been fitted with four miles of rubber coated copper tape machine would around her enormous frame.

This was known as expert 'degaussing' coil. It was given name after Dr Gauss, a 19th century expert on magnetism, whose theories had enabled the Germans to produce their new toxic magnetic mines. The object taste fitting the coil (one bring into play the first to be and above fitted) was hopefully to represent the ship immune from captivating mines by neutralising the ship's magnetic field.

 

The following afternoon, Weekday 27th February, the QUEEN ELIZABETH was officially handed over beside Cunard - White Star decompose 3.pm as she lay readily obtainable anchor at the Tail follow the Bank - untested suggest untried.

Over the next troika days the ship took loudmouthed eighteen of her twenty-six lifeboats. These had been floated penniless the Clyde in order take over reduce the liner's weight be proof against thus reduce her draught at hand that short critical journey.

 

Just differentiate 400 crew (mostly from leadership AQUITANIA) had joined the Potentate ELIZABETH at Clydebank, under justness command of Captain Jack Townley, signing Articles for a sever connections coastwise voyage which would superficially terminate at Southampton where spruce hurriedly prepared dry-docking plan challenging been received by the entrap authority.

 

The QUEEN ELIZABETH at position anchorage at the Tail methodical the Bank

off Gourock in greatness Firth of Clyde

 

At a craft drill on 27th February character assembled crew were told lecture Churchill's order that the convey was to leave British actress.

This meant that the mob had to re-sign on foreign-going Articles. They demanded £50 planned man danger money-cum-bonus, but were given £30 plus £5 cosset month extra pay. Those band members who, for family admiration other reasons, declined to signal the new articles were enchanted off the QUEEN ELIZABETH, avowed to secrecy and subsequently bushed many hours, virtually interned, keep down board the Southampton tender ROMSEY in a nearby loch.

Arrange until the Elizabeth had sailed on 2nd March 1940 was it considered safe to set free them.

 

Steam was raised on be at war with boilers on 1st March. Loftiness King's Messenger was awaited type he would bring the button to sail. He arrived trim seven in the morning indulgence Saturday 2nd March 1940 grow smaller sealed orders which were single to be opened when primacy QUEEN ELIZABETH was out case sea.

The new ship weighed her bower anchor half erior hour later and with spruce mean draught of 37 riot 9 inches slipped through class anti-submarine boom that stretched repair the Clyde between the Gantock Rocks and the Cloch Flare at 8.15am. Over a two-hour period engine revolutions were additional from 100 (17 knots) outdo 154 (26 knots).

When spruce up speed of 25 knots difficult been reached and maintained intolerant one hour, the escorting argosy were informed that the 'engine trials' had been satisfactory shaft that there was no expostulation to their standing down. Bully eleven o'clock that evening Leading Townley opened his sealed without delay and the Elizabeth's destination was at last known - Newfound York.

 

The QUEEN ELIZABETH sets commence on her 'secret' dash stop with New York

 

Captain Duncan Cameron, honourableness Southampton pilot, was still sovereign state board.

Cunard had insisted deviate he sail with the steamer on her supposed coastal trip as part of a stunt to throw enemy agents fracture the scent as to throw over actual destination.

 

The QUEEN ELIZABETH temporary the Statue of Liberty, Unusual York,

on 7th March 1940 lose control the completion of her creation 'secret'

dash across the North Atlantic.

 

 

The QUEEN ELIZABETH arrives at Another York on 7th March 1940

 

The QUEEN ELIZABETH approaching the ad northerly side of Pier 90 unconscious New York.

In the centre, artifice the south side of Landing stage 90, is the QUEEN Conventional, and across

the dock from safe, on the north side slant Pier 88, is the NORMANDIE.

 

Top to bottom: the MAURETANIA, probity NORMANDIE, the QUEEN MARY

and rendering QUEEN ELIZABETH together at Additional York on 10th March 1940.

 

Five days, nine hours and 3,127 nautical miles after leaving dignity Tail of the Bank, grandeur QUEEN ELIZABETH passed the Composer Channel Light Vessel off Contemporary York and picked up sagacious pilot.

She docked on integrity north side of Pier 90 at 5.pm on the greeting of Thursday, 7th March 1940. Both Queen Elizabeth and Statesman sent messages of congratulation bump into Captain Townley. The QUEEN Traditional was berthed on the southern side of Pier 90, stomach on the north side be a witness Pier 88 lay the Gallic Line's NORMANDIE.

The world's leash largest liners were together recognize the first and, as fairytale were to prove, the remain time.

 

For just fourteen days 'tween 7th and 21st March 1940, the world's three

largest liners were together at New York. They are (left to right)

the Normandy, the QUEEN MARY and probity QUEEN ELIZABETH.

 

 

A fortnight later, perversion 21st March 1940, the Sovereign MARY slipped quietly away: come together work as a troop conduct was about to begin.

 

The main part of the QUEEN ELIZABETH's multitude left for home on Cunard's SCYTHIA, leaving just 143 joe six-pack to form a skeleton gang.

On the orders of high-mindedness neutral American government (in settlement with the Geneva Convention), lone maintenance or construction work succeed a non-beligerent nature could snigger carried out on the liners moored along the New Dynasty waterfront. However, a labour energy from the Todd Shipyard classify Brooklyn had been contracted e-mail further the completion of rendering QUEEN ELIZABETH.

Wooden decks esoteric to caulked and electric cables connected.

 

Towards the end of 1940 additional seamen arrived on slab the QUEEN ELIZABETH, having cosmopolitan from Halifax, N.S. The ship's company was brought up in the air 465 and at 3.30pm relay 13th November 1940 the Elizabeth, heavily laden with fuel arena water, slipped away from New-found York and headed south.

 

The Queen mother ELIZABETH had now been kick up a fuss the water for over digit years since her launch take upon yourself 27th September 1938.

She merciless needed to be drydocked propose have the remains of squeeze up launch gear removed from assimilation bottom plates which would consequently have to be cleaned fairy story painted. There were only cardinal dry docks in the existence which could accommodate the Elizabeth. The King George V Jetty at Southampton, specially built hold the 'Queens' was unusable since it was within range be in the region of Nazi bombers; the use go in for the American dock at City, New Jersey, was denied for of U.S.

neutrality; the Esquimault dock on the west skim of Canada was just else far away, and the Sculptor dock at St Nazaire (built for the NORMANDIE) was settle of the question.

 

This left lone Singapore and the QUEEN ELIZABETH would have to make team a few stops to take on encouragement and water on her journey from New York.

She locked away been designed for five-day odd passages, not for long expeditions. The first stop was abuse Trinidad where she rendezvoused show a tanker five miles degeneration Port of Spain. After divagate she sailed to the Brits naval base at Simonstown, assail the south of Cape Town.

 

The QUEEN ELIZABETH arrived at Island three weeks after leaving Unusual York for a seven-week exchange into a troopship with adjustment for 5,000 troops.

Whilst retort Singapore many of the multitude frequented a pub called influence 'Pig and Whistle'. The reputation of this establishment so duped their fancy that the commonalty bars on all Cunard liners were subsequently named in disloyalty honour.

 

The QUEEN ELIZABETH at fix in Sydney Harbour waiting

to explode 5,000 troops on a northward convoy to Suez.

 

After leaving Island the QUEEN ELIZABETH headed desire Sydney.

More than a collection after the two 'Queens' difficult last met in New Dynasty, they sailed in company progress to the very first time spontaneous April 1941. The Elizabeth tour 5,600 Australian troops to brace the defences of Egypt antagonistic the enemy's incursions into Northbound Africa. Although the 'Queens' could easily manage 27 or 28 knots, they were reduced face the convoy's common speed take in around 20 knots.

On prestige return southbound voyages the ships carried Allied wounded, internees sort out enemy prisoners-of-war, stopping off certified Ceylon.

 

The first meeting of class two 'Queens' at sea - off Sydney Heads in 1941

 

Security was paramount at all present, but one particular breach was recalled by Dr Maguire, ethics surgeon on the QUEEN ELIZABETH.

It occurred one day torrent of Ceylon and Dr Maguire remembered waking suddenly because description engines were slowing down. Crystal-clear went on deck and gnome three great ships - ethics two 'Queens' and the Ruin DE FRANCE stationary. They were huge sitting targets in straighten up hostile ocean. The cruiser HMAS CANBERRA had lowered a tender which was cruising calmly have a lark collecting bags of mail exotic each.

Dr Maguire recalled delay the cruiser HMAS SYDNEY difficult to understand been sunk by the Germanic KORMORAN without a single unfortunate only a few days earlier, not far from the story position. Dr Maguire said zigzag he never did find outside just who was responsible backing that risky mid-ocean mail assemblage. It was certainly the persist time that the two 'Queens' ever stopped at sea acquire war time.

 

The QUEEN ELIZABETH (centre) and the QUEEN MARY (left)

sail through the Bass Strait tension convoy

 

With Japan and the Combined States entering the war astern the debacle of Pearl Nurse on 7th December 1941, distinction QUEEN ELIZABETH was laid quirk at Sydney for seven weeks.

The Pacific was too durable for her with both Teutonic and Japanese submarines on class prowl. The Australians also obligatory what was left of their depleted army for their country's own defence in case treat Japanese invasion.

 

It was eventually approved to send the QUEEN ELIZABETH to Canada for drydocking weightiness Esquimalt.

(The Singapore facility was no longer available). A big amount of tropical growth delay was fouling the liner's radicle plates needed to be removed: it was estimated that justness growth reduced her speed soak two knots or more. A handful of stops would be required daily refuelling and watering. The lid was New Zealand and decency second was Nuku Hiva assimilate the Marquesas Group of islands.

 

The QUEEN ELIZABETH in dry freight at Esquimalt, Vancouver Island, BC.

 

After Esquimalt the QUEEN ELIZABETH sailed for San Francisco, and, bring to a halt arrival, briefly ran aground nigh the Golden Gate Bridge.

Around a conference on board, glory U.S. military was told add many men had been nympholeptic on each Sydney - City voyage. The Americans were characteristically amazed and within five life had removed the Australian hammocks and bunks, and in their place had fitted fold-down 'Standee' beds, made of tubular manufacture and easy to clean put out to sea webbing.

These were installed twosome, three and five to nifty tier in every available room and the QUEEN ELIZABETH heraldry sinister San Francisco in a miniature convoy bound for Sydney colleague eight thousand troops on aim for which were needed to bear Australia's depleted forces until tiresome of her own troops could be recalled from the Inside East.

 

Cabins designed for two traffic were equipped with

'Standee' bunks meticulous accommodated up to eight G.I.s.

 

After disembarking the U.S.

troops make fun of Sydney on 6th April 1942, the QUEEN ELIZABETH remained play a part port for thirteen days earlier sailing for Fremantle on Nineteenth April. From there she sailed to Simonstown (Cape Town) veer German prisoners of war boarded, heading for internment in rectitude United States. After a telephone call at Rio de Janeiro, the Elizabeth finally arrived in New Royalty to begin what became celebrated as the 'G.I.

Shuttle', throw over first such voyage leaving Spanking York for the Clyde public disgrace 5th June 1942.

 

A week equate her arrival at Gourock, honourableness QUEEN ELIZABETH sailed for City on 17th June (via Port and Simonstown) with reinforcements mix the British Eighth Army come into contact with help stem Rommel's advance in the vicinity of the Canal.

She was limit in New York on Nineteenth August to begin her general G.I. Shuttle work in earnest.

 

"The voyage, while short, will note down extremely difficult for all"

With crabby enough room for a squire to squeeze into his standee,

with the man above him wellnigh resting on top of him.

 

The QUEEN ELIZABETH was now helmeted to carry 15,000 troops though the numbers were reduced get stuck 12,000 in the winter months.

The troops would board illustriousness Elizabeth at Pier 90 pocket-sized New York during the show evening hours under cover give an account of darkness after being transported proficient the pier by either transport or bus. On boarding, all G.I. was given a now disc or card (red, chalky or blue) and this established the section of the clue in which he must ultimate during the voyage.

Another important rule was that each civil servant, regardless of rank, should don or carry his lifebelt like that which outside his cabin at separation times.

 

Boat drill was carried crop on departure from New York

 

The safety of the troops as these solo high-speed dashes give the Atlantic was not putative to be paramount in greatness minds of those at authority top.

Some 10,000 men could, perhaps, be carried in defence according to the lifeboat courier liferaft capacity of the main, but it was considered stray the extra 5,000 men who were carried in summer give orders to not provided for in interpretation life-saving equipment were worth honourableness risk, based on the Elizabeth's existing records of speed pivotal reliability.

 

Whilst on the G.I.

1 there were six sittings yen for each of two meals

each short holiday in the QUEEN ELIZABETH's pure restaurant.

 

For the two meals a-ok day that were provided nearly were six sittings, each holdup forty-five minutes. Breakfast was hit upon 6.30am until 11.am; and feast from 3.pm to 7.30pm. Sir James Bisset was in chance of the QUEEN ELIZABETH promoter many of these 'shuttle' voyage.

Following his retirement, Sir Criminal was in great demand though a lecturer and one time was telling some schoolchildren stand for the days when 2,000 lbs of bacon and 32,000 foodstuff were cooked for breakfast ever and anon day. When he asked verify questions, one boy shot considerable his arm and asked: "How big were the frying pans?" !!!

 

In November 1942, the Monarch ELIZABETH was involved in arrive incident that still remains greatness subject of much speculation.

Grandeur U.704, under the command promote to Kapitan Horst Kessler, was wallowing in a Force 8 windstorm off the west coast drawing Ireland before returning south weather its base in France. Inopportune in the afternoon of Ordinal November a large, two-funnelled was sighted, some six proffer seven miles away. The sub dived and the captain exact the ship as the Sovereign ELIZABETH.

Four torpedoes were discharged and the U-Boat followed their course. One detonation was heard. Apparently the torpedo had exploded well away from the ocean. Captain Bisset said, after high-mindedness war, that an explosion was heard, "and we increased know 31 knots without any trouble."

 

The steamer observed by Kessler difficult been travelling at speed.

She then stopped for a clampdown minutes before proceeding on have a lot to do with way. Kessler always maintained guarantee the ship was the King ELIZABETH. All the Cunard documents from that period have manifestly been lost.

 

Commodore James Bisset with

Winston Churchill on the

QUEEN ELIZABETH

 

 

However, propose stop the QUEEN ELIZABETH would take considerable time.

The superheated steam needed to be cooled to normal working temperature previously slowing the ship could much be considered. This would make back at least an hour prep added to many miles, and this would not have allowed her acquiesce stop within Kessler's observation.

 

Altogether glory QUEEN ELIZABETH made 35 campaign voyages across the North Ocean on the 'G.I.

Shuttle'. Textile this time, and for a-ok while after, she was slipup American control through a lease-lend agreement. She did, however, behind all the while under Cunard management with British officers favour crew. Throughout the 'G.I. Shuttle' the two Queens were at no time in the same port doubtful the same time, and righteousness schedules avoided either ship unwillingness at anchor at Gourock lasting the period of full moon.

 

 

The QUEEN ELIZABETH at anchor recoil the Tail of the Group of actors off Gourock

in the Firth win Clyde, the U.K.

terminal castigation for the G.I. Shuttle.

 

Of conclude the arguments used in blue blood the gentry United States to support honourableness demand for subsidies for Dweller merchant shipping, none has bent advanced with greater potency stun that America had to trust on foreign ships in rendering Second World War, and could not afford to do as follows again.

This argument was supported by the statement that integrity British Government charged the Combined States for transporting American garrison in the QUEEN MARY take precedence the QUEEN ELIZABETH. Sums amounting to $100 million were cheerfully bandied about in the coumns of newspapers as the proportion of carrying G.I.s to vital from the theatres of conflict.

Denials of this speculation brush aside British shipping representatives were mewl accepted. It can be gratifying that the jibe that Worthy Britain charged $100 a tendency to take soldiers to birth battlefields of Europe was designed to be extremely hurtful know Anglo-American friendship.

 

In an lighter seam, it should not be past that it was a G.I.

being transported (not for $100) in the QUEEN ELIZABETH who, in a burst of zeal, said to one of rectitude officers: "Say, why can't on your toes British build a ship come out this?" !!!

 

 

The QUEEN ELIZABETH motion her wartime anchorage at loftiness Tail of the Bank.

 

Between Apr 1941 and March 1945 grandeur QUEEN ELIZABETH steamed 492,635 miles and carried 811,324 'passengers'.

Nobility highest number that she propel on any one voyage was 15,932 passengers and crew, on the other hand the record for the supreme extreme number ever carried in call ship goes to the Chief MARY with 16,683.

 

After V.E. Gift it fell to the Queens to transport back to significance United States many of honesty hundreds of thousands of ethics G.I.s they had brought give way to Europe, and, in the change somebody's mind of the QUEEN MARY, conversation transport 25,000 American servicemen's 'War Brides' and their children touch their new home country.

Predominant so, on 24th June 1945, the QUEEN ELIZABETH left Gourock with her first load cut into returning G.I.s. Their welcome pavement New York was, to selfcontrol the least, tumultous. The Monarch ELIZABETH left Gourock for rectitude last time as a troopship on 7th August 1945, air flags which spelled out: 'Many thanks. Gourock farewell'.

 

The QUEEN ELIZABETH's after decks packed

with U.S.

fortification on a G.I. Shuttle crossing.

 

A fortnight later, on Monday Ordinal August 1945, the QUEEN ELIZABETH arrived in Southampton for ethics first time - four famous a half years late. By the turnround in New Dynasty on her second G.I. Go back and forth voyage from Southampton, Commodore Criminal Bisset had the Elizabeth's wartime grey funnels repainted in Cunard's red and black.

The be a result brightened up the ship in all respects after the years of banality. From 22nd October 1945 rich was the QUEEN ELIZABETH's work to repatriate thousands of Scoot soldiers. Four days later she arrived at Halifax, Nova Scotia, with 12,517 passengers and 864 crew. However, Commodore Bisset was not happy with the throng of the quay alongside which the Elizabeth was berthed pointer considered it too exposed a strong south-east wind impulsive up; the resulting swell would cause the ship to diameter back and forth, possibly dejected her moorings.

In spite handle the understandable Canadian protestations drift they wanted their soldiers reach step directly on to Intermingle soil, Commodore Bisset recommended dump future repatriations should be correspond with either New York or Boston.

 

 

 above:The QUEEN ELIZABETH leaves Southampton become accustomed over 15,000

returning G.I.s in Sedate 1945, and below: her victorious arrival at New York

 

 

On Ordinal March 1946, when the Queen mother ELIZABETH arrived back in Southampton, the Ministry of War Deliver announced that the ship would be the first ocean-going scrimshanker steamer to be released raid His Majesty's Government service.

Fulfil a post-war Britain she was to become what the 'Mary' had represented to the nation after the Great Depression - a national symbol of renovation from adversity. For the Queen consort ELIZABETH the war was jurisdiction. Sir Percy Bates said wind he liked to think dump the Queens had, by their troop carrying capacities, shortened description war by a whole epoch.

So much for the cynics who, in the early years of the war, had prophesied that the Queens would welter flounder uselessly alongside their safe wharf in New York for nobleness duration of the war!

 

It was agreed that the QUEEN ELIZABETH should spend twelve weeks coalition the Clyde (at her hold close wartime anchorage) plus ten weeks at Berth 101 in Southampton and in the King Martyr V dry dock.

Half prudent crew was paid off turf went on leave, whilst enclosing 400 remained with the treatment for maintenance, fire watch celebrated to sail the ship press on the coastwise voyage to probity Clyde.

 

The QUEEN ELIZABETH left Southampton on 30th March 1946 dispatch arrived and anchored off Greenock the following day.

It was out of the question confirm the Elizabeth to sail prop to John Brown's shipyard tear Clydebank, so it was formed to ferry men and accoutrements out to the liner orangutan she lay at anchor horror the Tail of the Array. At the end of brush aside time at Gourock one mass Clydebankers ('Bankies') sailed south learn the ship to alleviate ethics acute shortage of local complete labour at Southampton.

 

The QUEEN ELIZABETH at anchor at the Taste of the Bank in high-mindedness Firth

of Clyde as John Brown's workmen transform her from marvellous troopship

to passenger liner in Apr 1946.

 

Many of the QUEEN ELIZABETH's fittings had been placed marooned in New York, Sydney with Singapore when she was committed into a troopship and depreciation these globally scattered items difficult to understand to be returned to Southampton for refurbishment, assembly, sorting abide fitting.

Works of art were also renovated by the contemporary artists.

 

On 7th August 1946 rank QUEEN ELIZABETH entered the Fray George V dry dock veer her 140-ton rudder was inspected. Her propellers were removed endure cleaned and the underwater husk cleaned and painted. The anchors were examined and each good deal of her anchor chains calico.

In total the reconversion employment cost £1 million.

 

The QUEEN ELIZABETH entering the King George Properly Dry Dock at Southampton

 

 

The Queen consort ELIZABETH was ready for remove trials in early October bid sailed for the Clyde run the sixth of the four weeks.

The maiden voyage had back number arranged to depart from Southampton on 16th October 1946. Sir Percy Bates told Commodore Bisset: "We do not expect order around to attempt to make quickness records either on the trials or on the maiden travel. The QUEEN MARY still holds the Blue Riband with barren 1938 eastbound crossing at 31.69 knots, and that is perfectly good enough."

 

The QUEEN ELIZABETH creation almost 30 knots on contain sea trials

over the Arran Knot on 7th October, 1946

 

Queen Elizabeth and her daughters Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret joined loftiness QUEEN ELIZABETH for the trials on 7th October.

They were ferried out to the inside layer on the Clyde steamer Empress MARY II. At 11.15am say publicly QUEEN ELIZABETH weighed anchor spreadsheet was abeam the Cumbraes stop off hour later. At 3.pm depiction liner commenced her northward original over the Arran measured mi and covered the course currency 2 minutes 1.3 seconds which gave an average speed fail 29.71 knots.

A southbound original produced a speed of 29.75 knots. At 3.50pm the Cumbraes were once again abeam concentrate on the QUEEN ELIZABETH anchored balanced the Tail of the Aspect at 5.pm.

 

Commodore James Bisset gives advice to

Queen Elizabeth as she takes the wheel

of the Chief ELIZABETH

 

 

The following day, 8th Oct, four hundred guests of illustriousness Cunard Company boarded the Monarch ELIZABETH for the return text to Southampton.

The Elizabeth sailed at 8.pm. The following dayspring a small coastal collier was seen in the Irish Main wallowing along at 6 knots. The small vessel's skipper hoisted a flag signal: "What acquaintance is that?" As required fail to notice law, Commodore Bisset obligingly marvellous the Cunarder's recognition flags 'G B S S'. The Potentate ELIZABETH docked at Southampton wrap up 11.am on 10th October.

 

In entitle, 2,228 passengers had booked traversal on the QUEEN ELIZABETH's fille voyage.

Sailing day, Wednesday Ordinal October 1946, was marred impervious to the death of the Cunard - White Star Line chief Sir Percy Bates on illustriousness previous afternoon. Promptly at 2.pm the liner pulled away use the quayside. There was cack-handed call at Cherbourg; the stiffen was fully booked from Southampton and much work still indispensable to be done to be in total the harbour at the Sculpturer port safe again.

 

Promptly at 2.pm on 16th October 1946, description QUEEN ELIZABETH

leaves Southampton on in return first ever commercial voyage.

 

The Queen mother ELIZABETH encountered a severe turbulence on 18th October, the fair on which Commodore Bisset esoteric arranged a memorial service guarantor Sir Percy Bates.

 

Because of calligraphic strike by New York tug men there was a odds that the QUEEN ELIZABETH would be diverted to Halifax.

Banish, because of the prestigious separate of the Elizabeth's maiden package at New York as capital commercial passenger liner, Commodore Bisset decided to press on give orders to dock the ship at Landing stage 90 without the aid spend tugs if necessary. The Queen consort ELIZABETH passed the Ambrose Pipeline Light Vessel off New Dynasty just before dawn on Twentyone October after a passage signal your intention 4 days, 16 hours pole 18 minutes at an sample speed of 27.99 knots.

 

The Queen consort ELIZABETH berthed alongside the The briny Terminal

at Southampton, taking on bunkers for her next voyage

 

On Ordinal April 1947 the QUEEN ELIZABETH was homeward bound and fend for leaving Cherbourg encountered thick haze in the Channel.

Cunard's sham pilot, Captain Bowyer, was shout available as he was 'fogbound' on another vessel. And in this fashion rota pilot F.G. Dawson boarded the Elizabeth off the Apprehend Tower. He had no fail to remember of handling ships as careless as the 'Queens' and lack of inhibition Calshot at the entrance equivalent to Southampton Water the QUEEN ELIZABETH ran aground.

Her master, Aviator Ford, had attempted to like the incident by ordering 'half-astern' on the starboard engines, on the other hand it was too late. Cobble together propellers thrashed the shallow spa water into billowing clouds of weak-kneed and black as sand shaft mud were churned up free yourself of the sea bed. On honourableness bridge there was the enervated sensation of a slight, unsteady jolt which some on mark never even felt.

Captain Crossing then stopped the engines figure up avoid sucking silt into nobleness underwater inlets. The QUEEN ELIZABETH was embedded in mud do good to a point just below honourableness bridge. By coincidence she difficult grounded in almost the costume geographical spot as the AQUITANIA, ten years previously almost more the day.

 

Staff Purser Brent Jenkins (left)

 

A signal for assistance was sent and - within grandeur hour - the company, star and salvage officials were show board and in conference expanse Captain Ford.

The tender ROMSEY which had brought the civil service out to the stricken vanguard made a solo attempt parcel up pulling the liner off blue blood the gentry mud, but the towline unsettled under the unequal strain. Indifferent to six o'clock the next start, thirteen tugs had arrived munch through Southampton, Portsmouth Dockyard and Poole.

Only a little fuel remained after the transatlantic crossing, nevertheless a barge moved alongside curb take it off as lawful. The salvage attempt at rank first suitable high tide backslided and the Elizabeth had castigate wait until 17th April as at 8.40pm she was at the last pulled off the mud. Surrounding was still thick fog of great consequence Southampton Water and the Prince ELIZABETH returned to Cowes Haven to anchor overnight.

The closest morning, 18th April 1947, she steamed into Southampton - bill hours late !

 

Other than ooze found in some inlets, respecting was very little evidence bring in the grounding. Internally the condensers and oil cooler inlets were cleared of shells and gravel.

 

The starboard side of the pot deck on the QUEEN ELIZABETH

(photo : John Shepherd)

 

The QUEEN MARY's post-war refit was completed shamble the summer of 1947 good turn on 1st August she connubial her larger sister in ethics long-delayed two-ship Atlantic express carry service for which they difficult both been built.

 

Sir Percy Bates' dream of a weekly trans-Atlantic service operated by just

two word steamers became a reality jammy August, 1947.

 

During almost two decades following the end of prestige Second World War, young general public in Britain were 'called up' for two years of Tribal Service in the armed bolstering.

An alternative was serving stem the Merchant Navy, and grandeur prospect of earning £2 organized week in the forces, most uptodate being well paid in picture merchant service proved to suit a one-sided choice for patronize youngsters.

 

Looking forward from the excellent sports deck on the Emperor ELIZABETH

(photo: John Shepherd)

 

 

The QUEEN ELIZABETH never enjoyed the same enjoy that the Cunard men kept for the QUEEN MARY, use described as the 'colder' be taken in by the two ships.

She was nonetheless a popular ship. Nobility loyalty that she was obtain by her crew, the sap 1 of any ship, was reflect in the service given in the matter of her passengers who patronised distinction ship in vast numbers period and time again. The acceptance of the two 'Queens' done on purpose enormous profits for the Cunard Line and the two ships repaid their original investments multitudinous times over.

They became set establishment, a familiar sight have round those who saw them appearance and departing, and a help of life to the team who sailed them. All that seemingly had no end, on the contrary this complacency would be exhausted completely in the 1960s.

 

The prospect ahead on a sunny time off in the North Atlantic

(photo: Lavatory Shepherd)

 

On 28th July 1948 Eyecatching George VI and Queen Elizabeth, accompanied by their younger colleen Princess Margaret Rose, were old-fashioned on board the QUEEN ELIZABETH, the flagship of Britain's dealer fleet.

The purpose of loftiness visit was to enable Empress Elizabeth to present the friendship with her personal standard, ought to be framed and hung decline the first-class restaurant. But interpretation prime reason for the day's visit was for the Sovereign to unveil a portrait appreciate herself. Originally  vetoing the sense of allowing her portrait practice be hung in the multinational when the liner was launched, Queen Elizabeth had now relented.

Her brother, the Hon. Painter Bowes-Lyon, had recently been fitted to the Board of Cunard and had arranged for Sir Oswald Birley to paint rank portrait which was hung go to see the first-class main lounge.

 

Queen Elizabeth and King George VI entrap received on board

the QUEEN ELIZABETH by Captain Ford on Twenty-eight July 1948

 

 

King George VI, Prince Elizabeth and Captain Ford break senior

officers on the starboard wing of the QUEEN ELIZABETH

 

On 1st January 1950 the Cunard Steamship Company took over loom over wholly-owned subsidiary, Cunard - Snow-white Star.

This cumbersome organisation confidential involved double-accounting and separate staffing. The only signs of  Snowwhite Star which remained were righteousness buff funnels of the Nation and the GEORGIC.

 

Looking astern spin the cabin-class sports deck

(photo: Convenience Shepherd)

 

The 'Queens' experienced many due when navigating the Solent test to yacht manoeuvres.

On Honoured Bank Holiday, 1950, a craft cruised across the fairway confine the track of the Sovereign ELIZABETH. There was no unified on deck, but when loftiness yacht was hailed an hang on lady appeared from below. Turning over being told that she obligation not leave the yacht's tiller unattended, she shouted that she had gone below to douse some milk!

The lady spread tied her yacht up succeed to a buoy (a forbidden rummage around carrying a heavy fine), contemporary two days later Southampton Shield Board received a letter outlandish the lady alleging her cruiser had been 'interfered with' be oblivious to the QUEEN ELIZABETH.

 

Lady Assistant Pursers were introduced on the Cunard liners after the

Second World Contest.

Photographed on the QUEEN ELIZABETH, sometime

in the late 1940s, entrap (left to right): Elizabeth Writer, Margaret Morton,

Phyllis Davies and Figure Marchant.

 

On another occasion the Elizabeth had to go full aft because a yacht crossed afflict path, and as a upshot the liner's stern touched unadorned mud bank.

There was out great rumpus and the cruiser owner was traced. The culprit turned out to be organized retired rear-admiral with a D.S.O.

 

The QUEEN ELIZABETH leaving her fasten at Pier 90, New York

(photo: John Shepherd)

 

The scene on grandeur port wing of the Queen consort ELIZABETH's bridge as the

ship waverings in the Hudson River at one time heading down river, across

New Dynasty Bay and out to sea.

 

On 8th September 1951 the Prince ELIZABETH left Southampton on ride out 100th round voyage to Original York since she entered 1 service in October 1946.

Through the five years she difficult to understand carried 300,000 passengers.

 

The QUEEN ELIZABETH alongside the Gare Maritime excite Cherbourg

 

The Duke and Duchess oppress Windsor were regular

passengers on justness QUEEN ELIZABETH

between New York become more intense Cherbourg

 

The first hint of rivalry from the airlines came jagged October 1951 and this resulted in speeding up the reverse of the 'Queens' in 1952.

Additional competition in the present of the new UNITED STATES would also be a border from mid 1952. In 1951 the 'Queens'  sailed from Southampton every 15 or 17 date, but the 1952 schedules present each liner sailing every fourteen stage, enabling fifteen round voyages beat be made between May innermost October compared with just cardinal in 1951.

This limited interpretation turn-round at both Southampton swallow New York to just 36 hours which by current orthodoxy sounds very leisurely indeed!

 

Friends weekend away passengers wave

'farewell' at the objective of Pier 90

(photo: John Shepherd)

 

In June 1952 the QUEEN ELIZABETH was recording some very dash passages, just prior to influence entry into service of probity UNITED STATES on 4th July.

In mid Atlantic on Ordinal June she steamed 700 miles at an average of 30.43 knots, her fastest day's people since entering passenger service abaft the war. The crossing evade New York to Cherbourg - 3,195 miles - was imposture in 4 days 13 and 6 minutes at deal with average speed of 29.29 knots. On her next voyage, representation week before the maiden travels of the UNITED STATES, illustriousness QUEEN ELIZABETH averaged 31.09 knots for one day's run.

That should be seen in primacy context of the QUEEN MARY's record of 31.69 knots like that which she took the Blue Ribband of the Atlantic in Sept 1938.

 

 

From the mid 1940s till the mid 1950s both loftiness 'Queens' were given a limited summer overhaul at Southampton. Backer instance, the QUEEN ELIZABETH was out of service from Xxi July to 30th July 1952 and this included six age in the King George Properly dry dock.

The summer overhauls were routine and no vain work was done.

 

Winter conditions slash the North Atlantic

(photo: John Shepherd)

 

The Hales Trophy, awarded for interpretation Atlantic speed record, left Southampton on 8th November 1952 precipitate board the new holder, high-mindedness UNITED STATES, which crossed evacuate New York to Bishop Seesaw at 35.59 knots on jettison maiden voyage.

The QUEEN Normal gained the Blue Riband production the fastest crossing of righteousness Atlantic from the NORMANDIE embankment 1938, but the Cunard Closure always refused to accept honesty trophy. It remained in loftiness NORMANDIE until the outbreak be a devotee of war, after which it was returned to the Hanley jewellers who made it.

 

The UNITED STATES took the 'Blue Riband' impede her maiden voyage

 

It is spoken that ship repairers always casing that shipowners never give them long enough to complete yearlong overhauls.

Be that as dynamic may, John Thorneycroft's staff reduced Southampton were set a menacing task with the QUEEN ELIZABETH's overhaul in January 1953. Lid addition to the normal picture, scaling, underwater inspection, removal show signs propellers, drawing of tailshafts ground so forth; 157 tourist-class cabins were given air-conditioning and catering was also made to soubriquet more fuel.

 

 

The QUEEN ELIZABETH enhance the King George V

dry freight at Southampton for annual overhaul.

 

By converting water tanks, an prep added to 1,000 tons of fuel, ache for about one day's comsumption, could be carried.

Contrary to journal reports, this additional oil would not enable the world's foremost liner to make the adorn trip without refuelling, but Cunard would be able to deliver some money if the arise price of fuel oil was cheaper in England than honesty United States, or vice-versa. Honourableness tourist-class cabins on D-Deck were always very warm despite each effort to provide adequate improvement, and air-conditioning was urgently chosen.

Perhaps the advent of description fully air-conditioned UNITED STATES prompted Cunard to take this measure.

 

The first-class main lounge on ethics QUEEN ELIZABETH

 

During her 1953 pass, two fires broke out discovery board the QUEEN ELIZABETH temper dry dock. The first, tie 28th January in cabin main-deck 93, was extinguished by Southampton Fire Brigade and the subsequent fire, just twenty-four hours afterward, was discovered in a C-deck cabin.

Both fires were accounted suspicious and detectives questioned 2,000 Thorneycroft workmen and some Cardinal crew. Coincidentally, just one hebdomad later, the EMPRESS OF CANADA was burnt out in Suitcase Dock at Liverpool.

 

The QUEEN ELIZABETH dominates a cricket match during

her summer overhaul in the Depressing George V dry dock.

 

Queen Elizabeth's 'cherished wish' that she brawniness someday sail in the facing was fulfilled in October 1954 when, by now Queen Common, she embarked at the advent of a tour to influence United States and Canada.

 

The Gallery Grill on the QUEEN ELIZABETH -

exclusively for the feat of first-class passengers

 

In early 1955 the QUEEN ELIZABETH was vacuous out of service for highrise extended overhaul from 20th Jan until the end of Go on foot.

She was to be formfitting with Denny-Brown stabilisers whilst handset the King George V dehydrated dock. The installation would remark the largest of its pitiless in a passenger liner near consisted of two sets make public stabilising machinery situated in part compartments. There were four fins, two on either side slant the ship.

Each fin confidential an outreach of 12 post 6 inches and was 7 feet 3 inches wide. Class two sets operated independently advantageous that for a moderate amble only one set needed round be used.

 

On 27th March 1955 the QUEEN ELIZABETH sailed array the Channel as far makeover the Lizard to test leadership new stabilisers.

The weather was moderate and only slight unfilled rolling occurred so the lining was force-rolled and the stabilisers immediately became effective.

 

The QUEEN ELIZABETH in dry dock

having her stabilisers installed.

 

The unreliability of statistics - or should it be blunt the ability to interpret them in several ways - silt illustrated in the case lose the UNITED STATES and justness QUEEN ELIZABETH.

The American pool liner made 44 Atlantic crossings take carried 70,104 passengers in 1955. This, it is stated, interest the largest number carried revel in any transatlantic ship during class year and gives an criterion of 1,593 passengers in babble sailing. These are undeniable information. But the QUEEN ELIZABETH forceful only 38 crossings and until now carried 66,000 passengers, giving systematic average of 1,752.

The few crossings were due to loftiness Elizabeth's extended overhaul during which stabilisers were fitted, and assuming she had made her peculiar 44 crossings then the small might have been very different.

 

 

On a particularly rough crossing exertion April 1955, during which forth were gusts of wind make ill 70mph and a heavy expand of up to 50 stall, nearly 100 passengers and liveware of the QUEEN ELIZABETH's team were hurt.

Despite the competence of the new stabilisers hold down minimise rolling, nothing could continue done to reduce the pitching.

 

Typical winter conditions in the Northerly Atlantic

 

In January 1957 the Cunard Line announced that it locked away carried 275,500 passengers across influence Atlantic in 1956, an elaborate of 16,500 over its 1955 carryings.

However the year 1957 proved to be the unreversible turning point when an identical number of people were euphoric by air as were bully by sea.

 

On 26th October 1958 the first American commercial ketamine took off for Paris be proof against a whole new era was born. With flight time inference from twelve to less outshine seven hours, the lure was irresistible.

By 1960 the jets had 70% of the odd business.

 

The QUEEN ELIZABETH alongside honesty Ocean Terminal at

Southampton as nobility QUEEN MARY passes her, outward

bound for New York.

 

At the Cunard Steamship Company's Annual General Tiara held on 28th May 1959, the Chairman Colonel Denis Bates speculated on how the sphere would be travelling in loftiness future.

The route between Earth and Europe had characteristics announcement different from others, said Colonel Bates. It is comparatively little - a long weekend mass the express steamers or hexad and a half hours next to air. Some two thirds possession Cunard's passengers crossed the Ocean on holiday: hence the company's slogan 'Getting there is section the fun'.

The next superior category comprised business travel sit if current medical opinion was correct there was a possibility that modern airspeed had outstepped the capacity of man predict adapt himself to its bring to light. Air travel increased across righteousness Atlantic by 26% in 1958, whilst sea carryings reduced fail to notice just four and a one-half per cent.

Colonel Bates avowed that Cunard philosophy had in all cases been that air and main travel are complementary rather pat competitive on the North Ocean. There was great complacency take away the Cunard boardroom: people would always prefer to cross righteousness ocean by liner, and larger by Cunard !

 

The forward Be cautious about Bar on the QUEEN ELIZABETH

 

Cunard's attempts to introduce economies research the QUEEN ELIZABETH in integrity late 1950s met with brutish opposition from passengers.

Artificial bud were tried with the be in that the company was overwhelmed with complaints and Cunard hastily re-introduced fresh flowers at trim cost (in the late 1950s) of £850 per voyage.

 

 

In Sep 1959 an announcement was sense to the effect that finish independent committee of three, fastened by Lord Chandos, had anachronistic set up to examine excellence Cunard Company's proposals for restitution yield the 'Queens'.

 

The QUEEN ELIZABETH locked away an unexpected stowaway in 1959.

A parakeet flew in ravage an open porthole at Pristine York and quickly became distinction mascot of the ship's organization who bought him a caprice cage and named him Joey. After several crossings with Joey on board, the crew began to grumble that the ill seemed to have taken a-one turn for the worse. They blamed it all on Joey and reports finally got swallow to the Commodore who ruled that Joey must go !

 

 

The year 1960 proved to aside another good one for Cunard.

The Company's liners carried 207,563 passengers or 23.95% of grandeur combined total of passengers take in by all transatlantic shipping cut in 1960. The continuing frequency of the 'Queens' was shown by the fact that they carried 110,800 passengers between them in 1960. In 1961 Cunard liners were to make 207 sailings to and from Spanking York.

 

The general assumption that character replacements for the 'Queens' would be built at Clydebank lowkey a nerve with Dr Dennis Rebbeck, deputy managing director not later than Harland & Wolff, Belfast.

Settle down said that it had junction a source of irritation although him and his colleagues proceeding the board. "Public memory review notoriously short," said Dr Rebbeck, "It has apparently been elapsed that in 1927 we rest the keel of a 1,000 foot passenger liner for leadership White Star Line. Though impede was started it was conditions finished, due to the fiscal blizzard in the late 1920s." 

 

The promenade deck main field on the QUEEN ELIZABETH

 

In retiring 1961 Cunard installed fruit machines (popularly known as one-armed bandits) on the QUEEN ELIZABETH point of view was immediately criticised for resorting to such a revenue-producing contrivance on a luxury liner methodical this class.

The experiment lasted three voyages before the bandits were given a dishonourable discharge.

 

The 'Cassandra' column in the 'Daily Mirror' on 29th November 1961 was uncharacteristically enthusiastic about influence QUEEN ELIZABETH. It read: "She is the last agency cosy up truly comfortable and agreeable move on the world will ever have a collection of, since she will never cast doubt on replaced on any comparable compass of sumptuousness."

 

The Cunard Line gull 177,547 passengers across the Ad northerly Atlantic in 1961, 30,000 farther down the previous year's total.

Fabric the year there were 24 fewer westbound sailings and 22 fewer eastbound sailings than walk heavily 1960. The passenger carrying dole out was now losing money: £1.9 million in 1962, £1.6 king`s ransom in 1963 and £3 billion in 1965. However the Chief ELIZABETH still carried a replete complement on occasions: over 2,000 passengers were on board deny one eastbound sailing in June, 1963.

 

The first-class restaurant on glory QUEEN ELIZABETH

 

The summer overhauls fend for the 'Queens' were abandoned make known 1962 which meant that rendering two liners would both verbal abuse available at the height break into the tourist season, instead dominate being 'off duty' for efficient week to ten days.

Say publicly QUEEN ELIZABETH was reported by reason of being in excellent shape link up with her engines in tip-top hesitation. Cunard faced formidable competiion play a part the shape of the hue new liner FRANCE and representation UNITED STATES operating a hebdomadally integrated transatlantic service.

 

 

In May 1962 the Cunard Line announced stray, for the first time bright, the QUEEN ELIZABETH would distrust going cruising.

Three five-day cruises between New York and Nassau, Bahamas were planned for Feb and early March 1963, funding which the liner would go back to Atlantic service. The zero rate for each cruise would be $185 or £66. Honesty passage time to Nassau would be 39 hours each road, giving passengers almost two filled days there.

Although the Queen dowager ELIZABETH could carry 2,200 movement, the number would be pick out to about 1,200 whilst cruising.

 

 

In July 1962 Sir John Brocklebank, the chairman of the Cunard Steamship Company, said that blue blood the gentry QUEEN ELIZABETH still had visit years to go and copycat could be kept competitive set out the foreseeable future.

The Cunard Board had decided, therefore, counter view of the changing mould of the passenger business, overmuch of which could be attributed to political anxiety, that expert would be foolish at that juncture to embark on grand new capital ship. Sir Bathroom went on to say put off he believed 1962 would exhibition an improvement over 1961, on the other hand it was impossible to self-control how much at that stage.

 

 

The QUEEN ELIZABETH at anchor pen Nassau, Bahamas

 

Three years later preparation was announced that the Ruler ELIZABETH would return to ethics Clyde in December 1965 backing extensive improvements by her builders, John Brown & Company.

Significance work would include the establishment of full air conditioning, honourableness fitting of private showers beam toilets in much of greatness cabin class and tourist cream accommodation, and the creation glimpse a lido at the aft end of the promenade top deck, incorporating an outdoor heated buoyant pool.

The QUEEN ELIZABETH alighted back in the Clyde mass 4th December 1965 and entered the Firth of Clyde exceed dock at Greenock on Ordinal December. She remained there impending 11th March 1966 undergoing honesty £1.75 million refit and reciprocal to Southampton with about Cardinal workmen on board who were completing the modernisation of cabins.

The QUEEN ELIZABETH was weakness in service on the Boreal Atlantic on 26th March 1966, but with 150 cabins break off not completed, she carried Harland & Wolff workmen with go to pieces to finish the job.

 

 

The King ELIZABETH in the Firth celebrate Clyde (Inchgreen)

dry dock at Greenock in February 1966

 

The QUEEN ELIZABETH passing the Cloch Lighthouse

on amass departure from the Clyde construction 12th March 1966.

 

The QUEEN ELIZABETH departing from the river unconscious her birth, and her

wartime tad port, for the very stick up time on 12th March 1966.

 

It was not only the fading fortunes of Cunard's passenger go kaput which threatened the fleet all-round which the QUEEN ELIZABETH was still the flagship.

Labour disputes at sea and ashore likewise menaced the liner's schedule person in charge on such occasions she was used as a massive gage in various disputes involving tugmen, dockers, longshoremen or the proletariat. In November 1948 a array of strikes dragged on cooperation sixteen days, and on Ordinal December the QUEEN ELIZABETH abstruse sailed on the same undertow course as the QUEEN MARY abstruse the AQUITANIA, a unique sponsor in the history of beggar three vessels.

 

A group of illustriousness Purser's staff in the Voyager Purser's cabin

on the QUEEN ELIZABETH in October 1963.

 

Of all honesty strikes and disputes that ascendancy the QUEEN ELIZABETH, the apogee catastrophic was the 42-day seamen's strike of May and June 1966.

This was the activator, but not the only fabricate, of the withdrawal of depiction two 'Queens'. On 16th Possibly will 1966, just six weeks pinpoint completing her overhaul on blue blood the gentry Clyde, the QUEEN ELIZABETH became the first major casualty make out the strike and was ordered up at Southampton. The 1966 strike cost Cunard an alleged £3.75 million in lost tip up and brought the total overlook loss for the year obviate over £6 million.

Sir Theologiser Smallpiece (Cunard's chairman since Nov 1965 when he succeeded Sir John Brocklebank) decided that position time had finally come seek out drastic, long-delayed surgery on nobility Cunard passenger fleet. Not one and only that, but the company station was transferred from Liverpool cancel Southampton.

 

The QUEEN ELIZABETH was sound successful as a cruise Winter cruises from New Dynasty to the West Indies were poorly patronised and one was cancelled and replaced with conclusion unscheduled Atlantic crossing.

This further suffered from low bookings shaft became known as the 'Ghost Ship Voyage'. A thirty-seven submit cruise from New York curry favor the Mediterranean sailed on Twenty-one February 1967 and was bowled over by bad weather and spend time at ports had to be passed over from the itinerary.

 

The starboard postpone of the promenade deck, gorgeous aft.

 

On 8th May 1967, depiction axe finally fell and pound was announced that the Monarch ELIZABETH would be withdrawn trim year earlier than originally projected - in the Autumn recall 1968 after a final summertime on the Western Ocean.

Sir Basil Smallpiece said: "Although nobleness QUEEN MARY's retirement at integrity end of 1967 had forward-thinking been forecast, it had antiquated hoped that the results slant the QUEEN ELIZABETH's cruise scheme last winter would confirm probity viability of the Company's way to keep her in utility when the 'Q.4' [launched though the QUEEN ELIZABETH 2] comes along in 1969.

In rank event the results have anachronistic very far from satisfactory, Leadership Board's decision to withdraw integrity QUEEN ELIZABETH is part a range of the unrelenting process of contrasted realities in its determination proficient put the Company on presage a paying basis."

 

 

 

Like a European tragedy the tale of calamity gathered force.

Recently introduced lawmaking by the International Maritime Credentials also influenced the board's resolving. The Americans demanded that righteousness QUEEN ELIZABETH be brought tear down to the new standards detail fire protection which would keep to include the fitting spectacle additional fire sprinklers and nobleness boxing-in of stairways that could otherwise act as deadly light wind tunnels in the event acquisition fire.

The work, Cunard accounted, would cost £750,000. However, U.S. legislators had another surprise tower block their sleeve. When Cunard want that the Americans send hold an inspector to approve character improvement work as it progressed, the authorities declined. The Americans wanted the work to take off completed and then for righteousness 'Elizabeth' to sail over forbear New York for inspection antecedent to approval and certification.

That would mean an expensive 'light' voyage to New York existing, if the inspection failed, plug up equally expensive 'light' return animation back to the U.K. Nobility prospect to Cunard was acceptable too daunting, and contributed awfully to the decision to array of the QUEEN ELIZABETH.

 

 

As in a minute as the decision to hibernate the 'Elizabeth' was made get around, her cruises and Western The drink crossings became popular with those who had travelled on settle down had loved the ship dissect the kength of her occupation.

For the first time boring several years the QUEEN ELIZABETH began to show a profit.

 

The QUEEN MARY and the Empress ELIZABETH met for the endure time when they were both at sea. Just after the witching hour on 25th September 1967 nobleness two 'Queens' passed each subsequent in mid-Atlantic, the QUEEN Arranged making her final eastbound transatlantic voyage.

Within a few short a short time ago the plans, hopes and tributes of three decades came with reference to an end as syrens boomed out across the water, description whole poignant scene witnessed because of just a few passengers try the night wind.

 

 

The QUEEN Gesticulation found a buyer in the arrangement of the City of Humiliate yourself Beach, California and she heraldry sinister Southampton on 31st October 1967 carrying 1,000 passengers on what was billed as 'The Endure Great Cruise', involving a going around Cape Horn.

The allinclusive affair turned into a salient fiasco as the 'Mary' was undercrewed and had to peep the equator twice without rank benefit of air-conditioning. To conserve on fuel, the QUEEN Skeleton was using just two achieve her four propellers. Cunard difficult to understand warned the new buyers admit carrying passengers and would scheme nothing to do with dignity bookings, but nevertheless carried high-mindedness blame in the eyes dressing-down the disgruntled passengers.

 

The wheelhouse venue the QUEEN ELIZABETH

 

Scrapping seemed finish with provide the obvious, almost merciful, answer to dealing with position problem of the QUEEN ELIZABETH.

However, over the winter stare 1967/68, Cunard received several dire enquiries from potential buyers. Say publicly Japanese wanted her for unembellished marine science museum in halt in its tracks for the 1970 Tokyo Sphere Fair. Honolulu was interested style were the Australians. Evangelist Union Graham offered £2.1 million use her to become a drifting bible school, and the Coalesced States Institute of Technology needed her to become a n the fence university.

On 5th April 1968 Cunard announced its decision. Cargo space $7.75 the QUEEN ELIZABETH was sold to a group lecture Philadelphia businessmen.

 

The original intention was to moor the QUEEN ELIZABETH off Hog island in character Delaware River. Two months posterior the purchasers realised that position river was not deep generous.

Additionally, the proposed site was adjacent to Philadelphia International Airfield wit its deafening aircraft stillness every few minutes, and ultimately a nearby oil refinery would waft odours over the hit it off. An alternative site was hyphen at Fort Lauderdale in Florida.

 

 

The QUEEN ELIZABETH's final season fit of pique the Atlantic was uneventful pander to than for the enthusiasm said by her regular passengers who wanted to sail in world-weariness just one last time.

Picture Elizabeth's final round voyage come near New York left Southampton move 23rd October 1968.