QE2 Leaves North-East England For Final Time

Looming over the horizon she cut a majestic figure.

The Queen Elizabeth 2, whose lines never fail to impress, announced her arrival at the mouth of the River Tyne with a booming horn that reverberated through the air.

Cunard’s longest-serving express liner was met at the mouth of the river at about 7am yesterday by three tug boats which guided her through the breakwater, reports TNE.

Dozens of people lined the riverside to see her in. And they were not disappointed.

The great ship presented an impressive sight as she towered over Tynemouth Priory and dwarfed bystanders waving her on.

The morning was blessed with a fresh breeze and clear skies – and perfect lighting conditions for photographers who had been waiting since the crack of dawn to record the historic occasion.

The QE2 was guided past its mooring, before executing a gigantic u-turn to dock at the Port of Tyne’s Northumbrian Quay.

South Shields photographic club member Harry Wilson said: “Today is the last day the QE2 is in the Tyne and this is the opportunity to take as many shots as we can.

“It is a bit cold, but the light is great for photographs.

“We are very proud the ship has chosen to come to Tyneside on its last visit. We are thoroughly enjoying ourselves.”

Mike Ell of Hebburn said: “She is a beautiful ship. Compared to some of the modern box containers that come up here, she has lovely lines.

“It was worth getting up this early in the morning to come and see.”

Ahmed Khan of South Shields added: “This is history in the making. It is the last time she is coming here. I did not want to miss it. It’s as simple as that.

“It is the first time I have been up so close. It is pretty impressive.”

The QE2 has sailed 5.5 million nautical miles – more than any other ship and the equivalent of travelling to the moon and back 13 times.

Even after more than 40 years of service, she remains the fastest merchant ship in operation.

Ian McNaught, captain of the ship, who coincidentally hails from Sunderland, said: We are a symbol of the great British maritime nation. There will never be another one.

If you want a passenger ship built now you go to Italy or Finland or Germany, this is the last great British built Transatlantic liner and I think people have very fond memories of that.

Nexus ran trips every two hours from South Shields and the Royal Quays to give people the chance to get up close and appreciate the sheer size and scale of the ship.

A farewell reception was organised before it set off for Southampton on its final cruise before becoming a luxury floating hotel on the Palm Jumeirah development in Dubai.

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