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| QE2 docks ahead of final voyage | QE2 docks ahead of final voyage |
| (9 minutes later) | |
| The QE2 has arrived at its home port of Southampton ahead of its final voyage, after it ran aground on a sandbank as it sailed in. | The QE2 has arrived at its home port of Southampton ahead of its final voyage, after it ran aground on a sandbank as it sailed in. |
| Five tugs were sent to assist the 70,000 tonne liner after it hit the sandbank at about 0530 GMT at the entrance to Southampton Water. | |
| Solent Coastguard said the ship was pulled off after about 30 minutes. It later docked at about 0730 GMT. | Solent Coastguard said the ship was pulled off after about 30 minutes. It later docked at about 0730 GMT. |
| About 1,700 passengers and 1,000 crew were on board. | About 1,700 passengers and 1,000 crew were on board. |
| Most had been asleep when the ship ran aground and no-one was hurt, owners Cunard said. | Most had been asleep when the ship ran aground and no-one was hurt, owners Cunard said. |
| Spokesman Eric Flounders said: "She touched a sandbank called Brambles but with the tide rising she was able to get away. | Spokesman Eric Flounders said: "She touched a sandbank called Brambles but with the tide rising she was able to get away. |
| "We are not aware at this stage of any damage to the vessel and everything is proceeding today as planned. It's a lovely ship, it's a crying shame it's going Geraldine Williams, passenger | |
| "We don't know exactly what happened for the vessel to get stuck." | "We don't know exactly what happened for the vessel to get stuck." |
| It is thought winds blowing from the south west at force seven may have contributed to the ship grounding at Brambles as it made its way into port. | It is thought winds blowing from the south west at force seven may have contributed to the ship grounding at Brambles as it made its way into port. |
| Kenneth Williams, 79, and his wife Geraldine, 81, of Brockham, Surrey, were on board QE2 when it ran aground, at the end of a 15-day Mediterranean cruise. | Kenneth Williams, 79, and his wife Geraldine, 81, of Brockham, Surrey, were on board QE2 when it ran aground, at the end of a 15-day Mediterranean cruise. |
| "We were sitting having breakfast at 6.15am and suddenly there was quite a violent shudder and it went to ground," Mr Williams said. | "We were sitting having breakfast at 6.15am and suddenly there was quite a violent shudder and it went to ground," Mr Williams said. |
| "We were told later by one of the stewards that it had gone aground and there was going to be an hour delay." | "We were told later by one of the stewards that it had gone aground and there was going to be an hour delay." |
| "Isn't that amazing," Mrs Williams added. | |
| "It must be symbolic, it doesn't want to go. | |
| She said: "It's a lovely ship, it's a crying shame it's going. Why couldn't it stay here in England?" | |
| Derek Millard, 71, and his 72-year-old wife Bunty, from Croydon, south London, were on board for their seventh time. | |
| "We had done 31 cruises so it (the grounding) didn't worry us at all," Mrs Milliard said. | |
| Mr Millard added: "It was very moving last night at dinner.QE2 ran aground as it arrived in Southampton ahead of its final journey | |
| "There was a lovely speech by one chap who has been coming on board for 35 years. It was wonderful." | |
| Thousands of people are expected to line Southampton Water on Tuesday evening to wave the ship off as part of the the celebrations before it leaves for Dubai. | Thousands of people are expected to line Southampton Water on Tuesday evening to wave the ship off as part of the the celebrations before it leaves for Dubai. |
| The Duke of Edinburgh will lead the farewells, which include fireworks and a fly-past. | The Duke of Edinburgh will lead the farewells, which include fireworks and a fly-past. |
| The 40-year-old liner is being taken out of service next month and turned into a floating hotel. | The 40-year-old liner is being taken out of service next month and turned into a floating hotel. |
| It will be Prince Philip's seventh visit to the vessel, which was launched by the Queen on Clydebank, near Glasgow, in September 1967. | It will be Prince Philip's seventh visit to the vessel, which was launched by the Queen on Clydebank, near Glasgow, in September 1967. |
| The QE2 is expected to leave Southampton Docks at 1915 GMT. | The QE2 is expected to leave Southampton Docks at 1915 GMT. |
| At 1100 GMT, one million poppies will be dropped from a Tiger Moth aircraft over the ship to mark the 90th anniversary of the Armistice. | At 1100 GMT, one million poppies will be dropped from a Tiger Moth aircraft over the ship to mark the 90th anniversary of the Armistice. |
| Following a two-minute silence, Prince Philip will meet crew members who travelled on the QE2 when it was used as a troop ship in the Falklands War. | Following a two-minute silence, Prince Philip will meet crew members who travelled on the QE2 when it was used as a troop ship in the Falklands War. |
| The liner has sailed nearly six million nautical miles, been round the world 25 times, crossed the Atlantic more than 800 times and carried more than 2.5 million passengers. | The liner has sailed nearly six million nautical miles, been round the world 25 times, crossed the Atlantic more than 800 times and carried more than 2.5 million passengers. |
| Have you ever sailed on the QE2? What are your memories? Send us your stories using the form below. | Have you ever sailed on the QE2? What are your memories? Send us your stories using the form below. |
| In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. | In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. |
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