The legendary Cunard Queen Elizabeth 2 on the Hudson River in New York City, October 16, 2008, as she departs for the final time.



29 September, 2009

Tyfon "horns" Update

Having posted to The Horn and Whistle Discussion Forum, http://www.hornwhistleboard.com/, requesting any further information on QE2's Tyfon "horns", here is the response I received from the site's owner and foremost expert on train and ships whistles and horns:

Alright, you sent me to my notebook to dig up the specifics. Here's what's on there:

Mast, air horn: Kockumsonics MKT 230/75 air SuperTyfon
Mast, electric horn: Kockumsonics MA 18/75 ElectroTyfon
Bow: Kockumsonics MTX 150/130 ElectroTyfon

The pitches are supposed to be 75, 75 and 130 respectively. But they are sounding closer to 74, 76, 136.

Because the 75 Hz horns are really out of tune by 2Hz, you get that throbbing beat frequency. (mystery solved regarding the pumping nature of the horns at times.)

You are right about the bow horn, it's on something like it's 3rd or 4th fiberglass projector. (In my post, I commented that the unit mounted on the bow had been damaged by heavy seas several times.)

The air horn, the MKT 230/75 is quite a powerful horn and highly regarded as one of the best Kockumsonics produced. It appears to be a rare model, but according to the Horn and Whistle Forum, the QM2 has one of these installed on the funnel, encased in a dummy casing to match the "borrowed" Tyfon off the original Queen Mary. According to this website, it appears that this monster horn is not currently in production.  I can confirm that no specifications or equipment cuts show up on their website.

Regarding the correct terminology, technically, QE2's Tyfon's are both electrically and air driven "horns" and not whistles. Titanic, as a good example if you remember the whistle being blown in the scene where Jack wins his ticket onboard, has true whistles. A whistle has a tuned orifice in a given diameter of pipe, which has air or steam driven through it to produce the sound.

I wonder what the voice of the new QE3 will be? Will Cunard pay homage to her predecessors? I hope she has a better sounding horn than her sistership, Queen Victoria. I will admit that hearing her horn in person, is far better than listening to it on Youtube, but it is just not as distinctive as QE2's. I will never forget hearing her voice for the first time in Ft. Lauderdale in 2000.

20 September, 2009

Job No. 736

QE2 launching invitation
On this date, September 20, 1967, 42 years ago, the partially completed hull of QE2 was launched into the River Clyde by Queen Elizabeth II.  QE2 was still two years away from entering into service in 1969.  She was launched the traditional way, down the greased slipway, with drag chains attached to the hull to slow her speed into the water.  According to Cunard engineers, this event put more stress on the ship than she would ever encounter in her 39 years of service.  As the stern meets the water, it begins to rise, while the remaining portion of the ship is still supported on the wood cribbing on the slipway, putting tremendous bending moment stress on the hull.  Nowadays, ships are built in drydocks and gently "floated out" by raising the water in the drydock slowly.



From this photo taken across the Clyde, the aluminum superstructure of the ship, which reduced the draft of the ship, is visible as the darker upper areas about the white painted hull.  The bridge structure, funnel, and foremast have not been installed.  The stern wave created as the ship slid into the water reached the shore and drenched onlookers.  The launching went on without a hitch, but with a little help from a hydraulic ram fitted to the bow to give the ship a nudge if she did not begin the decent down the slipway after the Queen released her.  In fact there was several seconds of delay that seems to have been edited out of the launch footage commonly seen.  On our Farewell to the UK cruise, we received special booklets at dinner every night, and this fact is mentioned, as well as a description of the person involved with making the calculations required for the launch.  I believe he had been responsible for the previous Queens as well.  I will need to dig out the booklets to comfirm.

The footage in the links below brings tears to my eyes everytime I watch.

QE2 is without a doubt, the Pride of the Clyde.


16 September, 2009

New York - September 16, 2008


After seeing QE2 in April of 2008, I was determined to see her in port for the remaining two times she was to call on New York, which would include the gut wrenching final farewell.  Using the experience gained from the April visit to the Manhattan cruise ship terminal, I decided to park the car on the deck at the pier for the day and make a full day of it in NYC.

On the drive in, I kept thinking how easy it was to get to the pier from my house in Connecticut.  I only wish I had taken advantage of this and make the trip more often.  I left the house early at 4AM, hoping to time my arrival right and witness the ship pulling in.  As I turned off Interstate 95 to take the Henry Hudson Parkway, my heart sank as I got a glimpse of the iconic funnel all lit up in the distance.  Apparently Captain McNaught had gotten the ship in early so all my mad driving through traffic had not paid off.  Luckily, though, the parking attendant directed me to park directly next to the ship on the top deck.  I could almost reach out and touch the ship from where I parked.  No security could see me from where I parked so I grabbed a few early morning shots.  Of course, the ship was stunning and I got to get up close down at the ground level for a few more pictures.

The night before, I had purchased a pass online to use for discounts on sightseeing for the day.  I had planned on staying to see the sailaway so I had the entire day to spend in New York.  I made my way on foot from the pier to Times Square to the Hard Rock Cafe to pick up my pass.  The weather was overcast, but it was clearing.  I grabbed a quick breakfast and coffee at the McDonalds at Time Square and then headed off to the Empire State Building.  I had not been in this building since I was a sophomore in high school on a band trip.  The pass gave me access to the main observation deck and a discount to the even higher enclosed observation deck high up in the spire.  While photographing the ship from the outside observation deck, I ended up speaking to a British couple who were on "holiday."  They recognized the Cunard logo on my coat and questioned what I was doing in New York.  I could only wish I was QE2 staff or employed by Cunard.  I pointed out the ship in the distance and also told them that I was just a obsessed fan of the ship.  It really is amazing how the ship captured the hearts of the UK since they went on at length about the ship.

     QE2 and Crystal Symphony from the Empire State Building.


Next stop was going to be Radio City Music Hall for a behind the scenes guided tour.  Once again, I had experienced a show at Radio City back on my band trip many years ago and wanted to visit again and see the fine Art Deco architecture.  Our guide was quite long winded, but very informative and I soaked it all up.  I marveled at the main lobby design as it reminded me of Queen Mary Art Deco inspired interiors.  In fact, the architect was directed to design the space based on an experience the owner had on a liner, according to our guide.  Of course, I asked if the guide knew which ship, but she did not.  About halfway through the tour, I became worried that she was taking too much time.  Although it was all facinating, I had my heart set on the 3 hour tour of Manhattan in a Circle Line tour boat and the tour that fit the schedule was going to be difficult to get to unless I left on time.  I had planned on walking back to the Circle Line Pier.  There is no direct subway line in that direction nor would a taxi be much faster with all the traffic mid day so I figured walking was the best bet.  Despite a very brisk walk and numerous crossings through traffic, I just missed the boat.  In fact, I heard the horn when I was about a block away.  I made it to the window at the pier and purchased the 2 hour tour instead.  My plans of getting photos of QE2 as we made the full lap around Manhattan Island were partially foiled.  I had some time to kill now so I grabbed a hot dog on the pier and then headed back to QE2 for a few pictures.  The Crystal Symphony had docked shortly after I had arrived on the pier earlier that morning and made a nice contrast to the lines of QE2.  While QE2's lines are classic, I found the Symphony had pleasant lines and a clean modern profile.  Of course, my focus was on QE2.


Interesting new QE2 bow profile with a new mast of the Crystal Symphony.



     A study in evolution of bridge design-open wings to closed.


While photographing the ship, various bus tours were coming back to the ship and Cunard staff were on the pier.  I recognized a woman from the ship from our January Crossing and asked her if she could take a picture of me in front of the ship and told her we'd be seeing her again in two weeks in Southampton for our Final Farewell to the UK cruise.  QE2 was currently on a long Splendours of Autumn cruise that would take her to Newport, Boston, Bar Harbor, and a few ports in Canada before heading back to Southampton to pick us up.

The Circle Line pier is not very far from the Pier 88/92 area and I made my way back to the pier to board my tour boat for a two hour cruise which would go down the Hudson, past the Statue of Liberty and then head up the East River, passing the South Street Seaport and then going under the Brooklyn Bridge.  The tourboat captain gave quite an informative commentary of the various buildings and significant sights along the way.  He pointed out the old White Star Pier as well as new buildings by famous architects such as Frank Gehry.  All during the trip, I kept thinking how many times QE2 had made this trip up and down the Hudson and also of my relative that made the same trip into New York Harbor.  It was also nice to see the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island up close.  Our January Crossing arrival was in the early morning and we missed alot of the harbor due to the darkness and the frigid cold wind.  As my trip wound down, and we returned up the Hudson to the Circle Line Pier, the captain made a few comments regarding QE2 in the distance and the fact that she was bought by Dubai to become a floating hotel.  Like I really needed another reminder. 

QE2 was getting ready to depart.  The fuel barge that had been alongside all day pulled away and I snapped away at her bow, admiring the sheer that tamed the Atlantic for 40 years, and, of course, built by the Scots in Clydebank.  There were a few diehard fans still on the pier and the security guards were not letting us up on the top deck, where I might add, my car was parked.  They mentioned security reasons for this, and that I could not photograph the ship with the pier in the background.  It just did not make sense to us few on the pier.  The camera I had brought along was my Sony MiniCam and I was experiencing the same battery problems again that I had back in April.  Fortunately, I managed to get some good video of the sailaway and was VERY startled when the famous QE2 whistle was sounded for the first time.  You could feel it in your chest and that alone brought a big grin to my face.  I echoed off the buildings and parking structure.

As QE2 backed out, the ship was aided by a newer Moran traction style tug, the Lee T Moran, but it appeared that she backed out mainly on her own.  The current of the Hudson began to take the ship sideways down the river and QE2 slowly was rotated and began heading off to her next port of call, Newport, RI.  The decks were lined with passengers for the sailaway.  I ran down back towards the Circle Line pier to try to get a few more good shots, cursing the security guards all the way that prevented me from being out on the parking deck for the best view.  At least this time, though, as she sailed off down the Hudson into the sunset, I knew I would be back onboard one final time.

     Queen Elizabeth 2, September 16, 2008, New York


03 September, 2009

Captain Chris Wells Appointed Master of New Queen Elizabeth

Cunard has announced the appointment of Captain Chris Wells as Master of the new Queen Elizabeth, currently under construction by the shipyard Fincantieri in Italy.

http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Cunard-Line-Limited-1039243.html

While I am deeply disappointed that QE2 Master Captain Ian McNaught was not chosen, I am beginning to understand why this appointment was made by Cunard.  While from a public relations standpoint, it would have made complete sense for Captain McNaught to assume command of the new QE3 (I just have a hard time calling it simply QE) and act as a figurative bridge from old to new, the job of the Master during construction will involve overseeing construction in the yard in Italy, and no time at all at sea and no interaction with passengers.  Captain Wells was involved with the construction of QM2 and perhaps is better suited for this role. 

Captain McNaught has been at the helm of Queen Victoria at times since the retirement of QE2 to Dubai.  In fact, I believe he was at command of the Queen Victoria when she called on Port Rashid, Dubai, and tied up right at the stern of QE2.  For those former QE2 crew now on QV, that must have been very difficult to see the ship once again.

I have to admit that this bit of news takes some of the excitement out of the 2011 QE Maiden Tandem Crossing with QV that we have a deposit on.  I was absolutely certain that Cunard would capitalize on Captain McNaught's overwhelming popularity with QE2 fans to lure us unto a new ship.  In fact, I have 2 rooms on deposit on QE for this historic Maiden Crossing and Maiden Call to NYC.  I have time to reconsider either switching ships or canceling altogether.  Perhaps, in the big picture, eventually, Captain McNaught will be back in command of a true liner, the Queen Mary 2.  Time will tell where he lands, but I am of the utmost certainty we shall sail with him once again.


Captain McNaught and my son Ryan, Newcastle, UK, October 8, 2008



01 September, 2009

Tyfon Whistles



Paying out pennant and Tyfon whistles, October 16, 2008, NYC Final Departure

QE2's distinctive whistle is generated by two Tyfon whistles, mounted and partially concealed in the foremast. QE2's whistle is unique and probably the most recognized whistle of any ship afloat today. Hearing the voice of QE2 for the first time is quite an experience and I never tire hearing it.

From the photo, it is evident that the two whistles are of different diameters. Perhaps it is the combination of these two different octave whistles that makes the sound so unique and spectacular. The company that produced these units back in 1967 is still in business and making similar units. The company is Kockum Sonics with headquarters in Sweden. According to their website, they still produce a Supertyfon whistle in two different octaves. I will be researching this subject more thoroughly. In particular, I am curious whether the frequency of the whistles on QE2 meets current IMO Regulations, or whether since the ship is over 40 years old, it is in compliance with older regulations and is grandfathered.

http://www.kockumsonics.com/products/marine/200.htm

While Alastair Greener's "We are Cunard" blog reported that Cunard has no plans to "borrow" a whistle similar to what happened with the QM2 whistle, they have promised that the new Queen Elizabeth will have her own distinct sound. Nothing can replace the sound of QE2's whistles.