Dubai gives berth to QE2 as liner makes her final port of call

Thursday, Nov 27, 2008

Gulf News

Dubai: The famous ship's foghorn sounded long and deep and the setting sun gilded the water of Port Rashid as the QE2 wound her way around the last bend heading towards a new beginning.

Resounding cheers from hundreds of well-wishers swarming the banks filled the air as the stately luxury liner glided by.

Both the UAE flag and the Union Jack were waved side by side by excited onlookers, the QE2 received her ultimate welcome yesterday as she ended her very last voyage carrying 1,000 passengers to Dubai and her new berth and new life as a floating hotel.

The Dubai Police Band marched along the dockside, playing traditional tunes on their bagpipes, while traditional Arabic Ayallah performers played and sang a haunting melody during the ship's docking.

The passengers shouted 'Hello Dubai' to the crowds below from the top deck.

With his young daughter balancing on his shoulders David Jones, a Nakheel employee said "It goes back to 1987, I was at Southampton University for four years and I saw the QE2 four times, so it's a bit special to me and it's the reason I came down here today. It's great."

Earlier, while the iconic ship sailed past The World, heading towards Dubai's Port Rashid, an Emirates A380 performed a fly-by in honour of her arrival, the plane was joined by a Royal Navy helicopter piloted by Lieutenant Commander Mike Currie.

Mohammad Tabah, a Syrian spectator, said: "It's a great event and I'm glad to be part of it. I've never seen such a big ship. As I'm looking at it now, it's beautiful."

The QE2 left Southampton for her final voyage on November 11, sailing past Portugal, Italy, Malta and Egypt, finally turning her bows towards Dubai.

M/Y Dubai - the yacht belonging to His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai - led a flotilla of more than 60 yachts, accompanied by Royal Navy Frigate HMS Lancaster, captained by Commander Rory Bryan.

HMS Lancaster joined the massive ocean liner for the last few kilometres of her journey as a mark of respect, in remembrance of the QE2's contribution to national service, in her role as a hospital ship and troop carrier during the Falklands war in 1982.

Commodore Tim Lowe, RN, the UK Maritime Component Commander in the Gulf region, said: "She is an honoured veteran of a hard fought battle and another shining example of the versatility of our maritime fleet. Her seafaring role is now complete while that of the Royal Navy continues, and I am delighted that one of our ships was able to take this impromptu opportunity to offer a final salute..."

The Queen Elizabeth 2

- 1964 - A contract to build the QE2 was signed between Cunard and the John Brown Shipyard in Clydebank, Scotland.

- 1967 - Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II christens the luxury ocean liner

- 1969 - The QE2 sets sail for her maiden voyage

- 1970 - The ship crosses the Atlantic Ocean in a record time of three days, 20 hours and 42 minutes

- 1975 - Her first World Cruise starts from Southampton

- 1979 - Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II makes first official visit to the UAE, meeting with Shaikh Rashid, where she inaugurates new Municipality building.

- 1982 - The QE2 is requisitioned by the British Government to act as a floating hospital and troopship during the Falklands campaign

- 1990 - Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II becomes the first reigning monarch to sail on a commercial liner alongside passengers

- 2002 - The ship becomes the first to complete 5 million nautical miles

- 2008 - The QE2 is given a royal welcome in Dubai - her new home.