Farewell Queen Elizabeth 2
As I post this photo, the QE2, the most famous ship in the world, will be departing my home city and her home port for the last time, to become a floating hotel in Dubai. This is purely a documentary shot, captured before 9am this morning as the Queen waits for her big day. The day started off badly when strong winds caused the ship to run aground on a sandbank at the entrance to Southampton Water, but no damage was done and a fleet of little tugs pulled her into deeper water so she could sail home for the last time. Southampton is home to the greatest ocean liners in the world, but this old lady who is over 40 years old and has sailed 5.9 million miles will be sorely missed. Note the red poppy in the midground – the QE2 became a troop ship in the Falklands War (I was even there to see her leave) and Armistice Day is a perfect choice for her farewell.
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AnaCBStudio
Nice angle and perspective Krys!
dawndavies
a fabulous shot of this old gal, what a shame all that is england has to have a home elsewhere, a great shot krys,dawnx
Krys Bailey replied
Thanks Dawn! I agree! She should have been kept in Southampton!!!
Andy Mueller
She’s been around the world some 25 times, and has ferried 2.5 million passengers. Remarkable. Now she will become a floating hotel in Dubai. Nice shot Krys, cool comp with the anchor.
Krys Bailey replied
Thanks Andy! Not sure where the anchor came from! ;o)
krafty
All in all a very sad day Krys..what with the Memorial Service and the Final 3 Veterans at the Cenotaph laying their wreaths and this Old Lady retiring to be a Floating Hotel.
Great Memories you have captured here Hun..thanks for sharing a poigniant DAY in History.xxxxxxx
Krys Bailey replied
Thanks Cyn! Yes a very emotional day – it’s just so good that we all remember! ;o)
dawndavies
i would rather see her there than that monster of a thing in gosport that tower, hehe dawnx
Krys Bailey replied
Do you mean the Spinnaker tower in Portsmouth??? Now don’t get me started about Portsmouth, the arch enemy of all Southamptoners, rofl! ;o)))
Joyce Dickens,...
Hi Krys….I really like this with the anchor in the foreground…..nice perspective and timely shot. Well done!
dawndavies
i am not sure what its called, its tall and the lifts broke down on it on its opening thats all i know but its hdious hehe dawnxx
mlgkats
cool , love the anchor in front , what a great ship and great capture :) mel
John Wright
Somehow, ending up as a floating hotel just doesn’t do any justice to history.
photosbylefty
excellent composition, this is as perfect as perfect can be!
Ann Garrett
Well caught
Lori Peters
Didn’t they build a new ship? It is too bad that this ship is leaving for good. Great picture, Krys.
Krys Bailey replied
Thanks Lori! We now have the Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria to superceded the QE2, but they obviously don’t have a 40 year history with the city of Southampton yet. You’ve got to remember, we’ve all got webbed feet down here on the south coast of Merrie Olde England! ;o)
Bonnie T. Barry
I love the point of view and the framing and of course that perfect farewell shot of the Queen herself. Wonderful documentary; have you submitted it to the newspapers? You really should!
Krys Bailey replied
Thanks Bonnie – I expect there are thousands of photos for the newspapers to choose from! The TV camera crews were there when I arrived! ;o)
Alison Cornfor...
Lovely capture of an incredible ship!
Linda Jackson
Great capture of history, Krys! Thank you for sharing! Take care, Linda
AARDVARK
I recall the launch when I was at school. The name was secret up until the moment HM named her.
Richard G Witham
It really is a nice photo. The anchor is sort of symbolic of your feelings about the ship, so it makes a great frame.
Stacy Rodriguez
Great find
webbie
What a beautiful Shot of Her Sis…at less they got her back off the sand…Great angle :) hugggggggz
Richard Veal
Well captured Krys, especially being framed by the Anchor.
A great idea.
I remember when I was at school watching the launch on TV.
Yes, we had tv’s in those days. LOL.
Krys Bailey replied
Thanks Richard! I was on the beach and watched the old girl go off to the Falklands! Shame that she is ending up in Dubai and how DARE they remove her prestigious funnel! :o(
Joseph Rieg
Krys, great shot of the lady. We would really like this shot in our group, World’s Cruise Ships.