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Million poppies dropped over QE2 Million poppies dropped over QE2
(about 5 hours later)
One million Remembrance Day poppies have been dropped over the QE2 in Southampton, ahead of its final voyage.One million Remembrance Day poppies have been dropped over the QE2 in Southampton, ahead of its final voyage.
A DeHavilland Beaver accompanied by a Tiger Moth flew over the QE2 at 1100 GMT to mark the beginning of a two-minute silence. A DeHavilland Beaver aircraft accompanied by an Auster flew over the QE2 at 1100 GMT to mark the beginning of a two-minute silence.
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. Then as thousands of people watched, a Harrier jet dipped its nose in tribute.
Earlier, five tugs were sent to assist the 70,000-tonne liner when it ran aground on a sandbank at about 0530 GMT at the entrance to Southampton Water.
About 2,700 passengers and crew were on board. It later docked at 0730 GMT.About 2,700 passengers and crew were on board. It later docked at 0730 GMT.
It's a lovely ship, it's a crying shame it's going Geraldine Williams, passenger End of a royal ship's eraYour memories of the QE2 The 40-year-old liner is being taken out of service and turned into a floating hotel in Dubai. It is due to leave on its final voyage on Tuesday evening.
The poppies were dropped to mark the 90th anniversary of the Armistice, the end of World War I.The poppies were dropped to mark the 90th anniversary of the Armistice, the end of World War I.
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 met crew members who travelled on the QE2 when it was used as a troop ship in the Falklands War.
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. The RAF Harrier jet, from No 1 (F) Squadron, hovered over the QE2 for about one minute at 1345 GMT, dipping its nose in tribute to the ship.
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.
'Violent shudder''Violent shudder'
As well-wishers looked on from packed ferries in Southampton Water, RFA Mounts Bay led a flotilla of ships past the liner, blowing its horn as it went.
Meanwhile divers are at the dockside in Southampton to inspect whether the vessel was damaged when it hit the sandbank.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency also sent two surveyors on board, which it said was standard practice when a vessel ran aground.
Solent Coastguard said the ship was pulled off the sandbank after about 30 minutes.
The woman who lives on the QE2Working on the most famous liner Most passengers were asleep during the grounding 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.""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.
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. 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."We were sitting having breakfast at 6.15am and suddenly there was quite a violent shudder and it went to ground," Mr Williams said.
Mrs Williams added: "It must be symbolic, it doesn't want to go.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?"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.
The QE2 arrives in Southampton ahead of its final voyage on Tuesday evening
"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. A fireworks display will take place on Tuesday evening as QE2 leaves Southampton for the final time at 1915 GMT.
On board the QE2 cruise liner
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 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.
It is Prince Philip's seventh visit to the vessel, which was launched by the Queen on Clydebank, near Glasgow, in September 1967.
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