Queen Elizabeth II
The Queen Elizabeth II, commonly known as QE2, was one of the most famous ocean liners of the 20th century. Launched in 1967 at Upper Clyde Shipbuilders in the United Kingdom, she would go on to serve as Cunard's flagship for nearly 40 years. Over her career, she carried 2.5 million passengers and earned the nickname "Greyhound of the Sea."
Construction and Launch
The vessel was launched on September 20, 1967. Following fitting out, she undertook her maiden voyage from Greenock to the Canary Islands, during which some technical issues were encountered. Her official inaugural voyage from Southampton to New York took place on May 2, 1969.
Service History
During her early career, the Queen Elizabeth II established herself as a reliable trans-Atlantic liner. In 1971, she participated in a rescue operation, helping passengers and crew from the burning French liner Antilles in the Caribbean.
The vessel faced several significant incidents during the 1970s. On April 1, 1974, while 270 nautical miles southwest of Bermuda, her boilers failed, leaving her powerless. This led to the transfer of 1,654 passengers to the Norwegian cruise liner Sea Venture on April 3. Another serious incident occurred on July 23, 1976, when an engine room fire off the Scilly Islands caused significant damage to the starboard engine, necessitating repairs in Southampton.
In 1982, the ship was requisitioned for military service during the Falklands War, transporting British troops to the conflict zone. Following this, she underwent a complete $160 million refurbishment in Bremen, Germany in 1986.
Australian Service
The Queen Elizabeth II maintained a strong connection with Australia, making 29 visits over 40 years. Her first visit to South Australia's Outer Harbor was on February 19, 1985, and her final visit was on March 2, 2008. During her last entry to Port Adelaide, Pilot Captain Timothy Pavri noted that she was designed for Atlantic crossings rather than navigating narrow harbor approaches.
Final Years and Retirement
The vessel's final round-the-world voyage took place in February/March 2008, concluding in Dubai where she was converted into a floating hotel and restaurant. On her final voyage, she carried 1,778 passengers.
Key Facts
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Gross Tonnage | 70,327 tonnes |
| Length | 962.93 ft (293.5m) |
| Beam | 105.1 ft (32m) |
| Draft | 32.4 ft (9.87m) |
| Power Plant | Diesel Electric (99,900kW) |
| Propulsion | Triple screws |
| Service Speed | 21 knots |
| Passenger Capacity | 1,715 (2-berth basis), max 1,890 |
| Crew | 1,004 |
| Passenger Decks | 13 |
Features and Amenities
The vessel boasted extensive facilities including 950 staterooms, multiple lounges, sports facilities, bars, indoor and outdoor pools, and seven restaurants. A Harrods store was also present onboard. The ship was notably the world's largest consumer of caviar during her service life. Her library contained over 7,000 books in approximately twelve languages, and was staffed by professional librarians. In 1997, she became the first ocean liner to have an email address.