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QE2 docks ahead of final voyage Million poppies dropped over QE2
(about 1 hour 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. One million Remembrance Day poppies have been dropped over the QE2 in Southampton, ahead of its final voyage.
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. A DeHavilland Beaver accompanied by a Tiger Moth flew over the QE2 at 1100 GMT to mark the beginning of a two-minute silence.
Solent Coastguard said the ship was pulled off after about 30 minutes. It later docked at about 0730 GMT. Earlier, five tugs were sent to assist the 70,000-tonne liner when it ran aground on sandbank at about 0530 GMT at the entrance to Southampton Water.
About 1,700 passengers and 1,000 crew were on board. About 2,700 passengers and crew were on board. It later docked at 0730 GMT.
Divers have arrived on site to inspect the vessel before it leaves on its final voyage on Tuesday evening. It's a lovely ship, it's a crying shame it's going Geraldine Williams, passenger class="" href="/1/hi/uk/6763347.stm">Colourful history of famous ship The poppies were dropped to mark the 90th anniversary of the Armistice, the end of World War I.
The 40-year-old liner is being taken out of service and turned into a floating hotel. It's a lovely ship, it's a crying shame it's going Geraldine Williams, passenger class="" href="/1/hi/uk/6763347.stm">Colourful history of famous ship
Following the two-minute silence, the Duke of Edinburgh was due to meet crew members who travelled on the QE2 when it was used as a troop ship in the Falklands War.
Divers have arrived at the dockside in Southampton to inspect whether the vessel was damaged when it ran aground. It is due to leave on its final voyage on Tuesday evening.
The 40-year-old liner is being taken out of service and turned into a floating hotel in Dubai.
Solent Coastguard said the ship was pulled off the sandbank after about 30 minutes.
Most passengers were asleep during the grounding and no-one was hurt, owners Cunard said.Most passengers were asleep during the grounding and no-one was hurt, owners Cunard said.
'Violent shudder'
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.""We are not aware at this stage of any damage to the vessel and everything is proceeding today as planned."
It is thought winds blowing from the south west at force seven may have contributed to the ship grounding 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 as it made its way into port.
Kenneth Williams, 79, and his wife Geraldine, 81, of Brockham, Surrey, were on board finishing a 15-day Mediterranean cruise. class="" href="/1/hi/england/hampshire/7719605.stm">The woman who lives on the QE2 class="" href="/1/hi/england/hampshire/7714043.stm">Working on the most famous liner Kenneth Williams, 79, and his wife Geraldine, 81, of Brockham, Surrey, were on board finishing 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. class="" href="/1/hi/england/hampshire/7719605.stm">The woman who lives on the QE2 class="" href="/1/hi/england/hampshire/7714043.stm">Working on the most famous liner "We were sitting having breakfast at 6.15am and suddenly there was quite a violent shudder and it went to ground," Mr Williams said.
"Isn't that amazing," Mrs Williams added. Mrs Williams added: "It must be symbolic, it doesn't want to go.
"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?"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.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."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.Mr Millard added: "It was very moving last night at dinner.
"There was a lovely speech by one chap who has been coming on board for 35 years. It was wonderful.""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.
On board the QE2 cruise linerOn board the QE2 cruise liner
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 Duke of Edinburgh will lead the farewells, which will include a fireworks display.
It is 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.
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.
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