Our second blog is from the renowned maritime historian, Bruce Peter, and gives us his views of the QUEEN ELIZABETH 2's last visit to Glasgow area.
QE2 ON THE CLYDE
October 2008
What a day yesterday was! After torrential rain on Saturday, I woke up a 6 am to a frosty dawn with a clear sky and a brilliant sunrise. My usual cross-country walk to the local railway station through the chilly morning air was bracing - but I didn't mind as I was fixated on the prospect of seeing QE2 on the Clyde for the last time.
An hour and a half later and I was standing in a long queue at the Ferry Terminal at Gourock, preparing to board Caledonian MacBrayne's estimable MV Saturn for a morning cruise down the Clyde towards Great Cumbrae to accompany the QE2 back to her berth at Greenock. The Saturn was fresh from refit and dressed overall, looking extremely spruce and businesslike. Captain Gray, in command, is a Caledonian MacBrayne stalwart and a man who looks like a Clyde steamer master straight from Central Casting. Commanding the Saturn on this most important day was to be his final assignment for Cal Mac prior to retirement.
By the time we sailed at 10 am, we were well loaded with people of all ages, shapes and sizes, all of whom had come to bid farewell to the QE2. Yet more came aboard at Gourock, before we motored briskly down river (the Saturn herself is a classic ferry with teak decks, curvaceous lines and a lovely forward viewing deck below the bridge). From there, we could glimpse the QE2 in the far distance off Holy Isle, but closing at speed. Already, dozens of yachts and other pleasure craft were pouring out of Inverkip marina and the frigate HMS Manchester was on hand to provide and escort. Further upriver, there was a fleet of NATO warships at anchor, led by the aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal. Even relatively large vessels such as these were dwarfed by the vistas to mountains and lochs to the north. The scenery was sublime and the colours painterly - autumnal russets, deep blues and purples in the distance and greens on the lower slopes. When the sun shines (a rare thing) the Clyde Coast looks captivating.
The QE2 came ever closer and, after a quarter of an hour, she was off our starboard bow. We turned nimbly using our Voith-Schneider propellers and motored upriver off the QE2's starboard bow. It was the prefect spot for photography and the QE2 certainly looked magnificent - pristine, majestic and beautiful, surely not a ship about to be withdrawn.
Cameras clicked, our passengers cheered, flags were waved and growing crowds on the QE2's decks waved back. By the time we reached Gourock, there were hundreds of pleasure craft, ranging from cabin cruisers to men on jet skis and, through this melee, the QE2 motored onwards. Then three Svitzer tugs came into view with 'rainbow' water canons. It was a magnificent scene. After shooting off several hundred images, I had to stop and simply stare.
Captain Gray came out on the Saturn's rather crowded bridge wing to have his photograph taken in his full uniform with the QE2 behind. Everyone applauded - he had done a splendid job of keeping all of the photographers onboard happy and with the QE2 always at a perfect vantage point.
On the Esplanade at Greenock, there were crowds thousands strong - and people were crowded onto every possible vantage point, all waving and cheering. QE2 motored on ahead of us and was swung round and berthed, her bow now pointing seawards. The Saturn returned to Gourock and the crowds disembarked.
With my good friends Miles Cowsill and Ian Johnston, I headed quickly to the cruise terminal. I have to confess that it was very enjoyable barging through the multitudes, onward through the many layers of security and, then, to stand on the quayside, staring up at the QE2. Then, we strode up the gangway and aboard. Beginning our farewell visit on boat deck, we observed that there was a queue of spectators stretching all round the quay and all the way out of the docks, down the road and along the esplanade. All afternoon, people shuffled past the QE2 in their dozens, hundreds, thousands. It was a bit like a famous royal or public figure lying in state.
QE2's departure at 10 pm was similarly emotional for Clydesiders, with a spectacular fireworks display. It was a fitting end to a remarkable and memorable day. Britain's Greatest Liner? You bet! Too bad we can't build ships like that anymore - but we are pretty good at nostalgia and spectacle.
